Eat Your Broccoli and Lose Weight!

Eating lots of veggies is not only good for your health but also can help you lose weight. Non-starchy vegetables, including lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, are a great and tasty source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, can also protect you from cancer, benefit your digestive tract, and even prolong your life!

We all know that a successful and healthy weight-loss diet should be based on greens, veggies, fruits, nuts, and other life-giving foods from the nature’s bounty. Which vegetables should we choose more often while trying to lose weight?

In the vegetable kingdom, broccoli undoubtedly ranks number one for its nutrient content, anti-oxidant qualities, anti-carcinogenic powers, the amount of fibre, and the ability to keep up full and satisfied for long periods of time. The Food Guide recommends that we eat at least one serving of leafy greens a day, and I would add that you should try to enjoy delicious broccoli as often as you like, at least several times a week.

Broccoli is rightfully referred to as “the little green giant”. It is very rich in vitamin C and carotenoids and also contains protein, all-important B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Recent research has revealed that broccoli has ample amounts of chromium - the mineral that protects us against hyperinsulinemia, obesity, and diabetes. Fibre and antioxidants in broccoli have a detoxifying and slimming effect. Just like other vegetables of the cabbage family, broccoli contains glutathiones, indoles, and quercitins - the compounds with strong anti-carcinogenic qualities, which can prevent the developments of ovarian, colon, lung, and breast cancers.

Broccoli is not only the most beneficial vegetable for dieters, it is also the easiest of all to cook. Just cut the flowerets into chunks and steam for several minutes, or until broccoli has changed its colour into bright green. Enjoy with just a touch of butter for lunch or dinner as a perfect low-fat, low-calorie treat!

For those who want to make a more sophisticated broccoli dish, try our recipe of tasty broccoli soup with hot spices: cayenne, curry, and black pepper. This wonderful soup can make a rich, satisfying, and diet-friendly meal. A serving contains 4 grams of beneficial fibre, with only 115 calories and 5 grams of fat! To prepare, sauté 2 diced onions in 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until golden. Add 1 tbsp curry powder, 3 cups vegetable broth, 4 cloves garlic, and 6 cups chopped broccoli. Mix well, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the veggies are all bright and tender. With the help of a hand-held blender or food processor, puree soup until smooth and add about 1 cup skim evaporated milk. Season generously with cayenne and black pepper and serve immediately. It is absolutely delicious!

With broccoli, your diet will never be boring!

Kim Suffolk