Bell Peppers Are Fruits
Surprised? Scientists define fruit as the
part of a plant that develops from a flower and has seeds. So that means bell
peppers -- along with squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins -- are fruits. It's up to
you whether or not to include any of those items in your next fruit salad.
Bananas Are Berries
A true berry is a fruit that develops from
a single flower and a single ovary. The ovary is the female part of a flower.
That means grapes, kiwis, and even bananas are berries. Think about that the
next time you peel into a banana.
It May Be Best to Steam Broccoli
If you're trying to cut your cholesterol,
steam your broccoli -- that helps it lower your levels more. Raw broccoli has
cancer-fighting compounds, though. In a part-by-part breakdown, the florets
have a few more nutrients than the stalks. And the leaves, which most people
throw out, have some nutrients not found in either the stem or the florets.
Avocados Are Fruits
Avocados have seeds, so that makes them
fruits. They have a lot of fat, but it’s the good kind that lowers cholesterol.
The creamy fruit also helps your body absorb nutrients in other produce, like
tomatoes. So toss some diced tomatoes into your next batch of guacamole.
Potatoes Top Bananas in Potassium
We need potassium to help strengthen our
muscles and control our blood pressure. Bananas are high in it, but they aren't
the best source. Why not try a spud instead? Potatoes have more potassium. They
don't have any fat and are a good source of vitamins and iron, too.
Tomatoes Are Fruits and Veggies
Tomatoes are fruits. But, according to law,
they're vegetables. Here's the juicy backstory: In the 1800s, New York’s port
taxed veggies, but not fruits. An importer wanting to cut costs went to court
saying his tomatoes were fruits. The case went all the way to the Supreme
Court, which ruled that, in “common language,” produce often served with meats
or fish is a vegetable. So, the man had to pay tomato tax.
Figs Match Milk in Calcium
Trying to get more calcium? Instead of
pouring another glass of milk, you could reach for the fruit bowl. Figs are
high in calcium. A cup of dried ones has as much calcium as the same amount of
milk. And unlike the cool drink, figs are also a great source of fiber. But
don’t overdo it. They pack a lot of sugar and calories.
Blackberries Aren’t Really Berries
Don't let their names fool you. In the
plant world, blackberries, raspberries, and even strawberries aren't berries at
all, but clumps of tiny individual fruits that grew together. Even by other
names, they'd still taste as sweet, though.
Kiwis Beat Oranges in Vitamin C
Ounce for ounce, kiwis pack the biggest
nutritional punch of any fruit in your produce aisle. They have twice the
vitamin C of an orange, and they’re another high-potassium, low-salt
alternative to bananas. They’re packed with other vitamins, minerals, and
heart-healthy nutrients, too.
Apples Are Cousins of Roses
Apples are a good source of fiber and
vitamin C. As you take a bite of one, do you notice a sweet smell? Apples,
pears, cherries, and plums are just some of the fruits that come from the same
family tree as the rose. Try using dried apple slices to make a sweet-smelling
potpourri.
Tiny Carrots Aren’t Really 'Babies'
Those cute little bagged carrots in the
grocery store aren’t baby veggies. They’re cut from full-grown varieties that
are sweeter and thinner than traditional carrots. When they turn a bit white,
they’re just drying out. But if they’re slimy, it’s time to throw them out.
Aside from being convenient, they're vitamin-rich like full-size varieties.
