Editors note: Cruciferous vegetables are often hated, but have some incredible health benefits. The key is to find a way to cook them so that you enjoy eating them and benefit from their unique health benefits as well.
Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Try to include a generous serving of these vegetables in your meals, 2-3 times a week, to get the most out of their healthy nutrients.
We are constantly exposed to synthetic estrogen-like chemicals (Xenoestrogens) in our environment. These xenoestrogens are actually hormone-disrupting agents in our bodies, and can have a very negative effect on men and women. These estrogenic chemicals stimulate your body to store belly fat, lower testosterone production, and encourage cancer growth.
Cruciferous vegetables contain unique nutrients such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that help to fight belly fat, and block the effects of these estrogenic compounds. So you get healthier and burn fat when you eat these veggies!
In addition, there are 10-15 compounds in these leafy greens contain that have been proven effective against many cancers.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Even if you are an avowed brussels sprouts hater, I am certain you will change your mind once you try this recipe. These carmelly sweet, roasted brussels sprouts with olive oil and bacon will transform anyone into a brussels sprouts lover!
Brussels sprouts are members of the auspicious cruciferous vegetable family and have all the amazing fat burning, cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory, healthy benefits that broccoli, cauliflower, kale, arugula and cabbage contain.
Brussels sprouts’ health benefits have been well-studied, and many of the studies have to do with the benefits of this vegetable and its powerful cancer-fighting abilities.
Brussels sprouts provide vital nutrients for the three systems that are have to do with our body’s ability to fight cancer. A healthy diet that includes brussels sprouts arms your body to effectively fight: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Brussels sprouts actually contain health omega 3 fatty acids that help fight inflammation as well.
About a cup and a half of Brussels sprouts provide about 430 milligrams of plant based omega 3 fatty acid (ALA). And, brussels sprouts supply an ample amount of antioxidants, including the vitamins K, C, E, and A, manganese, quercetin, kaempferol, and more.
The amazing amount of Vitamin K in brussels sprouts actually fights chronic inflammation.
This nutrient helps to regulate our inflammatory response, including chronic inflammation that increases the risk of certain cancers.
Brussels sprouts’ anti-inflammatory benefits help to fight:
Obesity, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, insulin resistance, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
Ingredients
20-25 small brussels sprouts
4 slices thick-cut (nitrite free) natural bacon, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp butter, melted
Sea salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°.
Wash and dry the Brussels sprouts. Trim off the ends of the sprouts, remove the outer leaves, and cut lengthwise in half.
Slice the bacon into small strips and cook until just crispy. Remove bacon from the pan.
Add olive oil, melted butter, brussels sprouts, bacon, salt, and pepper to bowl and stir to mix well. Spread Brussels sprouts on a large, flat baking sheet or pan. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the sprouts are just fork-tender. Do not overcook!
Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Serves 4.
Enjoy!
Till next time, stay healthy and lean!
Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.
Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.
Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.