By Catalina Castravet
Strawberries are always abundant during summer. These small, delectable treats are just very hard to resist! But they’re not just sweet and delicious, they are very beneficial too! Here are just some of the benefits you can enjoy.
Top 3 Health Benefits of Strawberries
They are good for your immune system
If you are looking for a way to boost your immune system, add strawberries to your meal. They are great sources of vitamin C, with one cup equal to more than 100% of the daily intake of your vitamin C intake, which is even more than an orange!
Nutritionists would advise that you buy organic strawberries – they may be more expensive but you can be assured that you and your family are not exposed to pesticides and the like.
They are good sources of antioxidants
If you’ve heard of antioxidants then you know how they fight free radicals in your body. These free radicals can harm your body, leading to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Because of its high polyphenol content, this heart-shaped berry can lower the risk of getting a heart attack.
They can help manage your weight
We all know just how important it is to maintain the ideal body weight. When people become overweight and obese, they are more at risk for serious diseases like heart disease or diabetes. One of the ways to combat weight gain is by eating the right kind of food.
The good news is that strawberries are naturally low in calories, making it perfect for those who are watching their weight. While it does contain natural sugar, it is low compared to other fruits. Even those who are adhering to the ketogenic diet can consume strawberries as they are low in carbohydrates.
5 Strawberry Recipes You Need to Learn Today
Now that you know just how beneficial it is to eat strawberries regularly, it’s time for you to learn some great recipes using this delectable fruit. There’s nothing wrong with just eating them as is, but you’ll be missing out on some great treats if that’s the only way you’ll eat it.
We’ve gathered some great recipes that are easy to make but will surely satisfy anyone who tastes them.
Strawberry Poke Cake
For many people, nothing tastes homier than a slice of warm apple pie. But if you’re not a fan of apples, why not make this strawberry poke cake instead. One thing to remember about this recipe is that you cannot bake it in advance and then freeze it.
Doing so will change the texture of the dish and it will not taste as great.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberries are not just for desserts, they are great with salads too. This Strawberry Spinach Salad is perfect for a picnic on a hot, summer day. It’s got a great mix of refreshing and sweet taste, and the addition of the toasted almonds will give it a nice texture.
It’s very easy to prepare as you just have to slice the ingredients and mix them. The dressing is just some balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and lemon. You can make and pack this salad in advance for a picnic, just don’t add the dressing until it’s time to eat.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Got only five minutes to spare for breakfast? Well, that’s all the time you need to make this strawberry banana smoothie. All you need to do is put all the ingredients in your blender and wait until it’s at the texture you desire.
If you are not a fan of bananas, you can add a different fruit instead. This smoothie is also very easy to customize and you will not run out of recipes. You can add more greens if you wish to add more nutrients or perhaps some yogurt if you want to.
Strawberry Lava Cake
So you’re probably familiar with lava cakes, but did you know that you can make a strawberry lava cake too? Chocolate and strawberry is always a great combination and the addition of the strawberry curd filling will surely land this cake to your top desserts list.
Lava cakes may sound intimidating as you need to make sure that the center will ooze out when you cut into it. But this recipe ensures that you will have a moist and delicious cake in just half an hour.
Strawberry Prosecco Jelly Cocktails
If you need a show stopper of a dessert, this Strawberry Prosecco Jelly Cocktails is the perfect dish to serve during a dinner party. It’s also great for those who are not confident in their baking skills because you don’t need an oven to make this.
Just combine the ingredients for the gelatin and have patience as you will have to wait for about four hours until they set in the refrigerator. While waiting you can make the topping that is made up of whipping cream and sugar.
