Summer may be fading, but your love of strawberries doesn’t have to fade with it.
These berries are flavorful and tasty, and offer a slew of health benefits all year round.
We asked BreAnn Erickson, CDN, a bariatric dietitian with Hartford HealthCare Digestive Health Institute, why strawberries deserve a spot on your plate.
1. Rich in antioxidants.
Could these tiny berries be your secret to better health?
“Strawberries are packed with antioxidants,” says Erickson. “These powerful nutrients help protect your body from cell damage that can lead to chronic illnesses.”
Here’s a fun fact: the deeper the red, the more antioxidant punch they pack.
> Related: 5 Healthy Summer Fruits
2. Good source of fiber.
Who says fiber only comes from brown foods?
“Strawberries are a solid source of fiber, with 3 grams per 1-cup serving,” says Erickson.
While the daily recommendation is 25-30 grams of fiber, most people fall short of that goal.
“Finding delicious ways to boost your fiber intake is a win-win,” Erickson adds.
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3. Loaded with vitamin C.
Oranges aren’t the only fruit loaded with vitamin C.
In fact, strawberries have even more of the nutrient than oranges do, according to Erickson.
Drumroll, please: eight medium strawberries deliver 160% of your daily vitamin C needs!
4. Heart health benefits.
Strawberries are rich in plant compounds like anthocyanins, which is linked with all sorts of health benefits.
“Research shows that strawberries can help protect your cardiovascular system by supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” explains Erickson.
5. Perfect snack.
When snack cravings hit, strawberries check all the boxes.
“They’re not only a delicious way to boost your fiber and antioxidants, but these versatile berries also pack a lot of nutrition into a low-calorie, naturally low-sugar treat,” says Erickson.
6. Keep blood sugar in check.
If your watching your blood sugar, fruit may seem like too sweet of a treat. But think again.
“Most people don’t expect this!” says Erickson. “But it’s true—strawberries can help regulate blood sugar.”
This is great news if you’ve been steering clear of fruit because of its natural sugar content.
“Strawberries have a low glycemic index,” Erickson explains. “So they won’t cause those rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.”
Here’s how to add more strawberries to your diet.
Whether you opt for frozen or fresh, you can’t go wrong.
“Nutritionally, there’s not much difference between them, so use whichever you like best,” says Erickson.
Now for the fun part—eating them!
Here are some delicious ways to add strawberries to your meals:
- Brighten your snack: Add berries to yogurt or ricotta for a fruity twist.
- Elevate your salad: A spinach and strawberry salad makes a refreshing combo.
- Whip up a fruit sauce: Cook down extra berries for a yummy topping on pancakes or desserts.
- Enhance your baked goods: Mix strawberries in muffin, bread or waffle batter.
- Top your dessert: Add berries to frozen yogurt or ice cream for a sweet treat.
- Blend a smoothie: Strawberries are the perfect addition to your favorite smoothie recipe.
- Top your oats: Add berries to oatmeal or overnight oats for a perfect start to your day.
“Skip washing strawberries until you’re ready to eat them,” adds Erickson. “Keep them dry, add a paper towel to the container and toss any bad ones. This will help them stay fresh longer!”
