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Nutrient Brief: Craving Cruciferous Vegetables

Posted By: Kelly Huggins - Atlanta Buckhead Personal Trainer on 12/05/2011

Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they contain organosulfur compounds, which are excellent anti-cancer fighters.  When you dissect the word organosulfur, you may quickly figure out what the vegetables are because of the odor they give off.  Of course, this is one of the reasons that they can be unpopular.  

As unpopular as they can be, eating these vegetables are loaded in other anti-cancer properties such as vitamin C and fiber.   Some, like broccoli, exceeds the RDA of vitamin C as much as 5 times.  The fiber is great for your digestive health and there is also soluble fiber which is good for the cardiovascular system.  

Most are also abundant in selenium, which works well with vitamin E.  The really dark green ones (like Kale and Collard Greens) are high in vitamin K, which is one of the reasons they have that dark green color.  Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting.  For you cardiac rehab folks out there, you probably had to cut out these foods for a while due to vitamin K's blood clotting properties.  

Here is a quick list of some cruciferous veggies:

Collard Greens

 Kale                                  i

MustardGreens  

Brussels Sprouts            

Bok Choy Romaine                          

Oriental Cabbage           

 Daikon

Broccoli    

 Arugula                  

Turnips

Cabbage                          

Watercress                      

Radish

Rutabaga       

These wonderful vegetables often times get a bad rap because of their taste.  One time, broccoli farmers brought tons of broccoli to the door step (figuratively speaking) of one of our past President's- George Bush, Sr., due to making comments on how he didn't like broccoli.  

However, you can use spices, pepper, juice, and, if you absolutely have to, low-fat cheese or butter.  By all means, if you like them plain, eat'em up!

written by:

Kelly Huggins

Here is a great Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe to try this Holiday Season: