Anyone who has lived with me can vouch for the fact that cauliflower is one of my all time favorite veggies. Much to the chagrin of the noses of my lucky housemates, I could eat it with breakfast, lunch or dinner.
A member of the cruciferous family, cauliflower is likely more known for its less than pleasant aromatic qualities than it is for all its great health benefits. Once you get past the odor that seems to linger throughout the kitchen long after you have cooked and stowed away your meal, you will come to find that cauliflower is loaded with nutrients. It also adapts quite well to many meals as a low carb alternative to things like bread, rice, mashed potatoes and pizza crust. It, of course, can be eaten raw or just lightly steamed too.
Cauliflower is loaded with nutrients and adapts well to any meal as a guilt-free, low carb alternative!
Low Carb Alternative
Trying to cut out some of those unnecessary, unhealthy simple carbohydrates in your diet, like breads and grains? Then trust me, cauliflower is going to become your new best friend. One cup of cauliflower yields just 5g of carbohydrates. Given the right recipe, cauliflower can seamlessly replace your mashed potatoes, fried rice, pizza crust and so much more- and it will taste great, I promise!
Anti-Inflammatory
A high concentration of vitamin K can be found in cauliflower. This vitamin helps to reduce inflammation within the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to a slew of diseases, including cancer, and is becoming a growing problem in our society.
Fiber-Rich
Fiber helps to cleanse the digestive tract. It’s recommended we consume at least 25 grams daily. One cup of cauliflower contains about 3g of fiber (the same as broccoli).
Antioxidants & Phytonutrients
Cauliflower is jam packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants fight to neutralize free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are what can damage and even destroy our cells, causing all sorts of diseases, including cancer. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin and manganese are just a few of the antioxidants found in cauliflower.
Vitamins & Minerals
Here’s something you may not have expected: One serving of cauliflower contains over 75% of your recommended daily value of vitamin C. It’s also a great source of vitamin K and B vitamins.
Okay, so crack open your windows, light a potent floral candle and get to cooking!
Check out this delicious cauliflower fried rice recipe for an easy way to incorporate this nutrient-dense food into your diet.
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