Why eat beets.
Beets are extremely nutritious + delicious. And they’re super versatile which I love. They go great on salads, juiced, pickled, roasted, or just munched on with a little sea salt, black pepper + organic butter [my personal favorite]. And don’t forget about those beet greens! They can be added to smoothies, juiced, sautéed or added to any stir frys, soups or salads. Use beet greens like you would any other leafy green veggie like kale, spinach or Swiss chard.
Beets are a naturally sweet vegetable. They actually have the highest sugar content of any vegetable; but with the amount of nutrients and fiber they contain, don’t be afraid to eat up! And definitely don’t forget about the greens. Not only to they pack a punch of nutrition, it would be a shame to waste half of the vegetable. I usually wash and save my beet greens in the fridge for later.
Let’s take a look at the many health benefits of beets!
[1] beets contain tons of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals + phytonutrients.
To name a few, beets contain: potassium, magnesium, mangenese, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, immune-boosting vitamin C, B vitamins, and folate. Folate is especially important for pregnant women because of the integral role folate plays in reducing the risk of birth defects in newborns.
[2] beets are cleansing + detoxifying.
Beets are great for natural liver detoxification, specifically phase 2 liver detox when toxins in the body are broken down and excreted, thus purifying your body. Beets are also known as a blood purifier, so eat up!
[3] beets are anti-inflammatory.
In the nutrition world, beets are well known for their source of betaine, a cell-protective nutrient. And overall, beets contain many anti-inflammatory molecules that keep body-wide inflammation at bay.
And don’t forget those beet greens.
The beet greens are among the healthiest part of the whole vegetable, so don’t toss them! The greens contain nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, fiber, vitamin B, vitamin C and iron. Use beet greens like you would any other dark leafy green vegetable [spinach, Swiss chard, kale]. You can add them to soups, stir fry or salads, or even juice them or add to smoothies. The possibilities really are endless.
Simple method to cook beets.
Boiled Beets
servings: varies
Ingredients
- 3 large beets
- about 6 cups water
- sea salt, for serving
- black pepper, for serving
- organic butter, for serving
Directions
Rinse beets well, but be careful not to remove the long pointed tip. Cut the greens off, leaving about an inch of stalk left on the beet. Store washed beet greens in fridge for later. In a large bot, bring about 6 cups of water to a boil on high heat. Add beets, cover, reduce to low heat and simmer for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, drain water and rinse beets with cold water. When they are cool enough to touch, using your hands, remove the remaining stalks and pointed tip [they should come off easily]. Then continue to peel the outer skin off of the beet to reveal the shiny dark purple flesh. The beets are now cooked and ready to eat!
My serving suggestion: slice beets into bite-size pieces and top with organic butter, sea salt + black pepper to taste.
* be aware that the dark purple “juice” from the beets can stain countertops and wood cutting boards if left on them too long. So be sure to wash down your surfaces immediately.
- 3 large beets
- about 6 cups water
- sea salt, for serving
- black pepper, for serving
- organic butter, for serving
- Rinse beets well, but be careful not to remove the long pointed tip.
- Cut the greens off, leaving about an inch of stalk left on the beet.
- Store washed beet greens in fridge for later.
- In a large bot, bring about 6 cups of water to a boil on high heat.
- Add beets, cover, reduce to low heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, drain water and rinse beets with cold water.
- When they are cool enough to touch, using your hands, remove the remaining stalks and pointed tip [they should come off easily]. Then continue to peel the outer skin off of the beet to reveal the shiny dark purple flesh.
- The beets are now cooked and ready to eat!
- My serving suggestion: slice beets into bite-size pieces and top with organic butter, sea salt + black pepper to taste.
- * be aware that the dark purple "juice" from the beets can stain countertops and wood cutting boards if left on them too long. So be sure to wash down your surfaces immediately.
What are your favorite ways to eat beets? Let me know in the comments below!
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