Whenever weight loss comes in mind, diet and exercise are the first things which crop up. But never have you ever wondered about the goodness of beetroot in his case.
Beetroot is one of the most nutritional food items. Also, it is the most ignored one. It is loaded with Vitamin C, dietary fibers, nitrates, betanin, and folate. All these nutrients help in losing weight, boosting immunity, lowering blood pressure and offering other health benefits.(1)
Beets are a good addition to weight loss diet as they contain no fat. Being a powerhouse of vitamin and minerals it helps maintain a healthy and energized body.
What Makes Beetroot Good For Losing Weight?
Beets Are Calorie-Dense Food
Calorie density is also referred to as energy density. It is the measurement of calories per weight of the food.
Food low in calories makes you feel full with few calories. Half a cup of diced beetroot contains 37 calories(2), which is considered as an average choice.
Eating beets can prevent you from going high on calories which is one of the known factors to increase weight.
Nutrition Storehouse
Beets are packed with nutrient and do not contain cholesterol and fats. Half a cup of beets contains 20 milligram of magnesium, 32 milligrams of phosphorus, 259 milligrams of potassium, and .67 milligrams of iron.(2) Getting most of the nutrient from fat-free food is what is required to lose weight.
Beet contains folate which helps in preventing birth defects, spina bifida, heart, and other brain abnormalities.
Beets Are Rich In Fiber
Beets are a rich source of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Both these fibers help in fighting fats by maintaining proper bowel function and lowering the cholesterol levels.
Half a cup of beets contains 1.7 grams of fiber, which is close to the daily fiber intake.
Other Health Benefits of Beetroot
Beets help in lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.(3) A high level of magnesium in it helps in secretion of testosterone hormone which is known to help in losing fatty tissue.
An increase in the level of toxins in the body is linked with weight gain. Betalains, phytonutrients present in beetroot, help in detoxification.
It also enhances the body’s ability to digest food. Poor digestion is known to be linked with weight gain.
How Can Beetroot Be Consumed?
The goodness of beetroot can be consumed in a variety of ways. Few are listed below.
Beetroot Desert
Most of people love halwa and beetroot halwa is a nice way to introduce this nutrient-rich food in the diet of everyone. The delicious dessert can be made by mixing milk, khoya, and dry fruits with the grated beetroot.
It can also be added to the cakes and muffins. It serves to be a fabulous and healthy dessert.
Beetroot Cutlet
Beetroot cutlet can be a healthy snack. Boil and mash beetroot and potatoes, add spices and shape them into amazing cutlets. Pan fry them in light oil and serve with sauces.
Salad
Beetroot can be added along with cucumber, onion, turnip, and tomatoes in the salad. You can either boil them or add them raw. You just need to sprinkle some chili and lemon to it to enhance the taste.
Beetroot Juice
You can also drink beetroot juice. Just scrape off the peel and cut it into small pieces. Put it in a juicer. Pour it in a serving glass and chill it for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to it.
You can also add carrots and tomatoes while juicing the beetroots.
Beetroot soup
Soups are extremely nutritious and when beetroot is added to it, its nutritional count is enhanced.
You can mix tomatoes, bottle guard, and beetroot together into soups and enjoy a healthy and an amazing concoction.
Beetroot Milkshakes
Beetroot can also be blended into a milkshake. Add a dash of cinnamon to enhance its weight shredding power.
Beetroot being added to any of your dishes ensure an increase in stamina and endurance, which in turn helps you in exercising longer and burn more calories.(4, 5) It can be used as a good food substitute for those looking out to lose weight.
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