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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Edamame


Looking for a healthy, easy, delicious snack? I got justwhat you want.  This snack bursts withnutrients providing a hefty amount of iron, and protein.  No, it is not chicken nuggets, who saidnuggets are healthy anyways.  They alsosupply 9 grams of fiber in every serving. They are great for picnics, road trips and last minutes snacks.  Best of all, my kids love popping the littlebeans out of the pods.  Yes, you guessedit.  They are the king of all legumes,edamame!  Eda-what? Edamame. It is afancy name for an otherwise boring name, boiled soy beans. 
Over the years we have heard about the wonders of soy comeand go.  Sometimes it is supposed toreduce hot flashes, others it cure heart disease, sometimes it helps reduce theside effects of diabetes.  Unfortunately,research has shown these claims to be inconclusive because the studies weredone on a small number of people for a short period of time.  In order for these theories to be proven,much more research needs to be conducted, but that does not mean we shouldthrow the soy out the window.  Edamame isstill full of beneficial nutrients and we should take advantage of them.  Half a cup of shelled edamame or one and oneeight cup of edamame in the pods provides only 120 calories, 9 grams of fiber,2 grams of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (the healthy fats), 11grams of protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium. Although they maynot be the super food scientists thought they might be, with all those benefitsthey are still a super food in my book.

Now we are all pumped up about the benefits of edamame, buthow can we eat them?  My favorite way issteamed straight from the pods.  You canalso add the shelled beans to casseroles, stirfries, rice pilafs, soups, andsalads just to name a few.  You can findthem in the frozen or produce section of your grocery store.  Now go and get some!
 

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