The Tomato, a Superstar Food!

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(HealthNewsDigest.com) - The popular tomato known as a vegetable, is actually botanically a fruit. Now that it's tomato season, let's discuss this great fruit, because I consider it a superstar food. In our country, the tomato ranks third in the top favorites for vegetables and it's our second favorite when we consider how many different ways we eat and use it, including tomato sauce. While tomatoes are not as high in all the nutrients as other vegetables, they are high in two very important ones, Vitamin C and the phytochemical (technically not a nutrient) called lycopene.
(June M. Lay, Lifestyle Columnist - HealthNewsDigest.com)

Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is thought to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, may also be a weapon against other cancers when we eat them and our other colorful fruits and vegetables. Some studies have shown a correlation between a diet high in Lycopene and a reduced risk for breast, endometrial and lung cancers as well. Tomatoes ripened on the vine have more lycopene, while cooked tomato products have more bioavailable lycopene. Bioavailable means that the nutrient is more easily used by our body! So, I guess that the Hollywood craze the "raw foods diet" isn't always the best!

High in C, a good source of folate (folate is known as a health promoting heart and nervous system B vitamin), lycopene and low in calories, the tomato has only about 30 for a whole medium one! As with all our fruits and vegetables, it may only have a trace of fat, has no cholesterol and contains a healthy proportion of potassium to sodium. Tomatoes come in many varieties, such as beefsteak, cherry, grape, plum and slicing, and in season now are the "Heirloom tomatoes" which boast hundreds of varieties.

Tomatoes can be used for sauces and stews, and they can be eaten grilled, fresh or raw on a sandwich or in a salad. Of course they make up my favorite dip for chips, "Salsa" that is which I even add to a baked potato (check out my Salsa recipe this week). How about we try a healthy gazpacho soup (really rich in nutrients and LOW in calories!), or a regular tomato soup as an appetizer? Want to get creative? Check out a great recipe at Martha Stewart's website recipe finder for a grilled tomato with yogurt (two of my favorite foods combined!).

Are we concerned about our weight? I love recommending to my clients to order a tomato juice upon arriving at a restaurant to reduce their hunger (they report that this helps when the bread basket arrives). Tomatoes are also great for adding more flavor to other veggies whether as a medley whole or as a sauce. I even love those little grape tomatoes with an ounce of string cheese as a quick nibbly snack (packs easy). Lastly, let's not forget about the great taste of a thin crust veggie pizza with extra tomatoes (forgo the cheese for a lean treat!).

So, if we like tomatoes, but just seem to forget just how versatile they are, here's a little reminder. Can we think of other ways to add them to our diet?

(Are we healthy yet?)


June

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