Weird alternatives maybe not so weird after all
As Halloween arrives this year and we start to guzzle baked goods and candy, it’s good to remind ourselves of healthy options to include in our diets. Here are three Halloween inspired healthy foods to help boost your diet.
Bugs
Creepy crawlies are often viewed as being gross and weird in western cultures, however they are viewed as a delicacy in many countries. Not only are many insects supposedly delicious, they contain some nutritional benefits as well.
Notably, most insects contain an incredible amount of protein and a minimal amount of calories for such tiny critters. For example, 100 grams of crickets only has 121 calories. In those calories, there are 12.9 grams of protein and five grams of carbohydrates; 100 grams of crickets also contain 75.8 milligrams of iron. Consuming crickets can provide you with quick nutritional benefits and are a sustainable way to get lots of protein.
“Consuming crickets can provide you with quick nutritional benefits…”
Another heavy-weight protein-filled insect is the caterpillar, which contains 280 grams of protein in just one kilogram. In comparison to other protein-heavy foods, such as salmon, pork, and tofu, these creepy crawlers take the cake. Caterpillars also contain lots of fat, but this fat comes in the form of healthier monounsaturated sources than other meat-based proteins.
Garlic
Garlic is great for many things, like scaring away vampires around Halloween. Magical properties aside, garlic also contains Allicin, vitamins and fibre, and can even help scare off the common cold.
Allicin is a sulfur compound that is believed to provide most of the health benefits associated with garlic consumption. When garlic is chopped or chewed, Allicin gets released—this is what causes its potent smell and taste. This compound has been associated with reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and reducing how often you get sick.
“…garlic also contains Allicin, vitamins and fibre, and can even help scare off the common cold.”
Garlic supplementation has been proven to increase immune system function. Studies have found that consuming daily garlic supplementation can reduce the number of colds by 63 per cent and the length of colds by 70 per cent. Garlic also contains large amounts of manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin A, selenium and fibre, as well as trace amounts of other beneficial elements such as iron.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a delicious fall food that can be used in a variety of ways. With spiced pies and toasted pumpkin seeds to satisfy your taste buds, these yummy snacks come with great nutritional benefits.
In just one cup of pumpkin, there is almost twice the recommended daily amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A can help improve and promote good vision, in addition to boosting your immune system.
“When carving your pumpkin this year, save the seeds.”
The biggest health benefit of pumpkins are in the seeds. When carving your pumpkin this year, save the seeds. For one ounce of pumpkin seeds, you get 1.7 grams of fibre—a necessary dietary component that helps keep your body fuelled and functioning. Pumpkin seeds are also high in protein and healthy amino-acids.
When consuming pumpkin, be aware of sugar-laced desserts which can take away from the nutritional benefits. Trying adding pumpkin to your roasted vegetable dishes or putting pumpkin seeds on top of your salad.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman.