You are likely familiar with vegetable platters with a central dip (typically ranch). If they are homemade, you are likely to see radishes mixed with the baby carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers, broccoli florets, or sugar snap peas. Some people love radishes for their crisp texture and peppery flavor, while others choose to avoid them completely. Roasted radishes are a completely different story, as they almost take on a sweet flavor during the roasting process. They are truly special, which is why we thought to blend roasted radishes to create a vegan “hummus” dip.

This hummus, which really is just a dip made from blended radishes and other ingredients, is a real game changer for your dip game. The peppery kick from the radishes gives the mild flavor of traditional hummus a run for its money. You’l love this roasted radish dip because:

• This creative spin on a traditional hummus has fewer carbs, as the radishes replace chickpeas. That also makes it keto-approved.
• It only requires six simple ingredients and 30 minutes of your time.
• It contains heart-healthy nutrients, such as fiber, so you can snack guilt-free.
• You use basic, affordable pantry staples with the radishes, so it is budget-friendly.

Which radishes should you use? Use the regular red globe radishes, but those aren’t the only options. You can easily select French Breakfast radishes, which have a milder flavor and elongated shape, or watermelon radishes, which will give your hummus a pink hue. You do not need to use daikon radishes, as the little ones will roast much more easily. Just make sure to give them a good rinse before you roast them.

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A lot of people think that oranges are the best sources of vitamin C. While oranges and other citrus fruits tend to receive a lot of attention for vitamin C, other sources, including Brussels sprouts, kiwis, and peppers, have a higher vitamin C content. In fact, one cup of Brussels sprouts contains 85 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, which covers the needs of most adults. Although Brussels sprouts are highly nutritious, they are not the only vitamin C superstars.

What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid in supplement form, is an essential vitamin that you have to get via your diet. The human body does not make any vitamin C on its own. It is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body. That means that it can support cellular health, healthy aging, and support immune function. Although supplementing is an option, you can easily find vitamin C in many fruits and vegetables. The following fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, so eat up!

Guava

Guava happens to be one of the richest dietary sources of vitamin C. One small guava contains 228 mg of vitamin C, which is more than double the amount you need in a day. Guava also provides fiber, which aids digestive health and promotes feelings of fullness. The high potassium and soluble fiber levels may also aid blood pressure management and reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. You can eat guava on its own, blend it into smoothies, incorporate it into desserts, or even sauces for savory dishes. 

Red Bell Peppers

Although they don’t contain as much vitamin C as guava, raw red bell peppers are excellent sources. Red bell peppers contain almost double the amount of vitamin C as Brussels sprouts, offering 121 mg per cup. In addition to the vitamin C content, red bell peppers offer valuable carotenoids, which act as antioxidants to support cellular health and skin integrity. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, which are the carotenoids in red bell peppers, work to protect the retina against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Just like the other foods in this article, the high vitamin C content aids the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. 

Kale

Kale is a valuable leafy green that offers more vitamin C by weight than Brussels sprouts, especially if you enjoy it raw. Not only does kale offer 23.4 mg of vitamin C per cup, but it also offers vitamin K (70% of the daily value per cup), magnesium, and other plant compounds that support heart and bone health. Kale is also rich in sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, two compounds that help block cancer growth at a cellular level. Just like red bell peppers, kale also provides lutein and zeaxanthin, making it a great vegetable for eye health. 

Broccoli

Just like kale, broccoli provides a healthy amount of both vitamins C & K. In a cooked cup, broccoli provides over 90% of the daily value of vitamin C and about 92% of the daily value of vitamin K. Broccoli is also a close relative to Brussels sprouts and offers fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that work to fight inflammation and aid LDL cholesterol reduction. Studies suggest that it is better to eat broccoli raw or lightly steamed to maximize your benefits, as overcooking can destroy myrosinase, a valuable enzyme needed for sulforaphane production.

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Allow us to introduce you to your new favorite pasta sauce. It is a hidden vegetable pasta sauce, which is a clever way to add more vegetables to a classic dish you know and love. Don’t worry, though, the flavor is exactly what you’d expect from a traditional marinara. This sauce contains zucchini, bell peppers, leeks, carrots, garlic, and onions, and you blend the vegetables into a smooth base, so they disappear into the sauce. Even though the sauce contains a generous mix of vegetables, the dominant flavor is from the tomato sauce and Italian herbs.

To build that familiar marinara flavor, you slowly cook the vegetables until they are soft and aromatic. The classic combination of garlic and onion creates the savory foundation, while carrots and bell peppers add a hint of natural sweetness, complementing the acidity of the canned tomato sauce. Zucchini and leeks add body and mild flavor without overpowering the sauce. Once everything is tender, blend the mixture until completely smooth. You want to create a sauce with a velvety texture, so you are not biting into big pieces of vegetables while enjoying your pasta.

What you are left with is remarkably like a traditional marinara sauce—rich, balanced, and tomato-forward. This is a great sauce to enjoy if you feel like you do not consume enough vegetables on a regular basis. It is also a great way to sneak more vegetables into your children’s meals. It’s the comforting character of a familiar pasta dish with an added nutritional flair.

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Long gone are the days of ketogenic enthusiasts only eating bacon, cheese, beef, chicken, fish, and fat-centric meals. Nowadays, people can incorporate low-carb vegetables and fruit into their keto diet and remain in ketosis. The goal is to prioritize keeping your body in a state of ketosis, during which it uses fat as the primary fuel source, not carbs. In order to reach this state, you have to limit your daily carb intake to 20 to 50 grams (g) per day. 

Due to this low-carb allotment, you have to be very picky about which fruits and vegetables you consume. There are a number of vegetables that contain a lot of carbs, but that isn’t the case for all of them. Many vegetables are keto-friendly and contain beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that the body needs to thrive. 

Before you embark on the keto diet, make sure to consult your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have underlying healthy issues. You want to make sure that the diet is right for your body. Once you decide to go keto, you can add some or all of the following vegetables to your diet. 

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a popular vegetable to enjoy on the keto diet because it is low in carbs and high in vitamins and phytochemicals. Enjoy cauliflower rice or add chopped cauliflower to salads or vegetable medleys. One cup of cauliflower contains a total of 5.3 g of total carbs, 3.2 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.1 g of protein. It also comes with 320 milligrams (mg) of potassium, making it a great veggie for heart health. 

Bell Peppers

You can choose red, orange or yellow bell peppers, to add much-needed vitamin C (191 mg per cup) to your keto diet. They also satisfy a great crunch without the added carbs of most packaged snack foods, such as potato chips, pretzels, and cookies. You can use slices of bell pepper to scoop up high-fat guacamole or pesto. One cup of red bell pepper contains 9 g of total carbs, 5.6 g of net carbs, 0.5 g of fat, and 1.5 g of protein. 

Arugula

Arugula is a peppery green that will not push you over your daily carb count. You can use it on its own or mix it with other salad greens, such as kale, or pair it with eggs. In one cup of raw arugula, there are 0.7 g of total carbs, 0.4 g of net carbs, 0.1 g of fat, and 0.5 g of protein. Research shows that regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as arugula, can reduce the rate of colorectal and lung cancers.

Mushrooms

Research shows that 30% of the carbs in mushrooms come from fiber. Mushrooms are also one of the only natural food sources of vitamin D, with maitake and shiitake varieties being the greatest sources. One cup of mushrooms contains 2.3 g of total carbs, 1.6 g of net carbs, 0.7 g of fiber, 0.2 g of fat, and 2.2 g of protein. That same cup also provides 223 mg of potassium. 

Zucchini

If you are a keto enthusiast, then you probably know how great zucchini noodles are as a pasta substitute. The key is to not cook them too much, as that helps them retain a little crunch. Zucchini is very versatile, so you can roast it, grill it, fry it, eat it raw, or steam it. One cup of zucchini contains 3.9 g of total carbs, 2.7 g of net carbs, 0.4 g of fat, and 1.5 g of protein. That same serving offers 22 mg of vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds. 

Broccoli

Broccoli can be used interchangeably with cauliflower, as it is essentially the green version. It is easy to steam, but you can also add it to stir-fry dishes, grill it, bake it, or grill it. One cup of broccoli provides a substantial amount of vitamin C (81.2 g), which satisfies 90% of the recommended daily intake (RDI). It also happens to be a great source of vitamin K and folate. One cup of broccoli contains 6 g of total carbs, 3.6 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.5 g of protein. 

Green Beans

Green beans make for a tasty and nutritious side for many dishes. You can also incorporate them into stir-fry dishes or add them to cauliflower fried rice. Similar to broccoli, green beans are naturally rich in vitamin C and vitamin K. One cup offers 7 g of total carbs, 4.3 of net carbs, 0.2 g of fat, and 1.8g of protein. Try roasting them with some nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese to give a salty, nutty flavor without extra carbs.

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According to research studies and surveys, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults is age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. In fact, a 2022 report found that an estimated 20 million people in the United States over the age of 40 had AMD. It is very common for eyesight to get worse with age, be it from AMD, cataracts, or other ocular diseases. Fortunately, there are exercises you can do and foods you can eat that help support eye health. 

What Is AMD?

AMD is an eye disease that can blur central vision. This occurs when aging causes damage to the macula, a part of the eye that controls straight-ahead vision. The macula is a part of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. AMD is a very common condition, and the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Losing central vision makes it difficult to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up tasks. 

The condition can come on slowly in some people and faster in others. Scientists believe that one of the primary causes of AMD is exposure to oxidative stress (cell damage) and inflammatory reactions. Because of this, the theory is that including more nutrients that support vision in your diet can be beneficial in preventing AMD. Some of those nutrients include carotenoids that fight against reactive oxygen species (ROS). 

How Do Carotenoids Support Vision?

Carotenoids are the red, orange, and yellow pigments produced by plants. Astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and xanthophylls are specific carotenoids that demonstrate impressive antioxidant activity. Some studies have found these carotenoids to protect the eyes from oxidative damage. 

Both lutein and zeaxanthin are found in concentrations 1,000 times higher in the eye than other tissues in the body. Reportedly, these are beneficial in reducing the risk of developing AMD. One study found that participants with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were 65% less likely to develop neovascular AMD compared to people with the lowest intake. Another study from 2022 found that these two carotenoids were able to protect the retina and lens from age-related changes.

Although astaxanthin is not as concentrated in the eye, it does have antioxidant properties that are ten times greater than lutein and zeaxanthin. Astaxanthin has demonstrated an ability to address choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which is a hallmark feature in AMD. This feature causes oxidative stress and inflammation and blood vessels grow in the eye and leak as a result. That can lead to vision loss. 

How To Get More Carotenoids In Your Diet

The body cannot make carotenoids on its own, so it is your responsibility to consume them via foods or dietary supplements. In order to support eye health and vision longevity, experts encourage you to consume at least 10 milligrams (mg) of lutein, two mg of zeaxanthin, and six mg of astaxanthin per day.

In which foods can you find these carotenoids? Well, lutein and zeaxanthin are readily available in leafy greens (kale, spinach, and collards), avocado, orange bell peppers, green peas, and eggs. Astaxanthin primarily exists in marine-derived foods, such as shrimp, salmon, lobster, and algae. All three of these carotenoids, however, are available in various eye supplements, should you not want to worry about consuming specific foods every day. 

At the end of the day, your eyesight will get worse with age, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Try to increase your intake of the carotenoids we detailed in this article to help support eye health and protect them from AMD and other causes of age-related vision loss.

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This isn’t your ordinary vegetable soup because this soup is made with roasted vegetables, which offer deeper, richer flavors and a subtle smokiness. Once you roast your vegetables, blend them together to make a creamy, addictive soup. Although there are many adjectives that can accurately describe this soup, it is simply delicious. Blending all of the ingredients together helps create a rich, creamy consistency. And the great thing about this soup is that is is great for all culinary skill levels. It is very beginner-friendly!

Why should you roast vegetables instead of steaming or sautéing them? While steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, you miss out on the caramelized flavor and delightful smokiness that comes from roasting them. But not all vegetables roast equally, as some take longer to cook than others. For example, it takes longer to roast tomatoes and bell peppers than it does to roast beets and parsnips. Because this recipe contains bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes, make sure to cut them appropriately to ensure even roasting. It is more important to cut the sweet potatoes and carrots thinly and the rest of the ingredients can be roughly the same size.

This recipe includes various vegetables, but you can make this soup with a few adaptations. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and incorporate different spices. Do you like a little spice? Throw some cayenne or chili powder into the mix. Consider adding beans for more protein. Opt out of the oat milk if you want a soup made strictly of vegetables. Don’t be afraid to put your own creative spin on this!

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When we present you with a creative recipe, we try to keep it as simple as possible. The ingredient list may be long or short, but the preparation is meant to be easy. That is especially true for raw vegan recipes. A recipe should not scare you away! It should invite you to make it and inspire you to be more creative in the kitchen. That’s exactly what we though when we came up with this recipe.

All you really have to do for this recipe is soak the sunflower seeds and sun-dried tomatoes for a few hours. Blend them with the other ingredients to create the taco “meat,” and then roll up the nori wraps. Speaking of nori, make sure that you get the sheets that have not been roasted. You can usually find them at a number of grocery stores, especially health food stores. And another quick note about using the nori sheets: make sure to wet your finger and dab one end with it before you roll them up. That will help seal the roll.

These rolls differ from other raw vegan sushi rolls we’ve posted in the past. These have a raw vegan taco “meat” in the center. Roll that smoky, delicious, nutty concoction up with lettuce, bell peppers, avocado, and cilantro and you have a raw nori taquito. If you really want to go the extra mile, feel free to make your own pico de gallo or guacamole to put inside the rolls. That really just depends on the time you are willing to dedicate to this recipe. Whether you make those dips or not, these nori taquitos will have your tasted buds jumping for joy.

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What is gazpacho? Well, gazpacho is a chilled soup that originated in Andalucía, Spain, and traditional recipes call for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, and more. You enjoy the soup cold, so there is no cooking involved, making it a great summer dish or light beginning to a multi-course meal. Although this avocado gazpacho is not entirely authentic, it does exhibit incredible depth of flavor and it’s almost like liquid guacamole.

This recipe is not only raw vegan, but it is also low-carb, paleo-friendly, keto-friendly, and replete with healthy fats. Slurp it out of a spoon or pour it into a cup so that you can drink it. We are not responsible if this refreshingly cold soup with powerful flavors kicks you into a pleasure-induced food coma. The great thing about this recipe is that you can tweak it until it is just right for your palate. Adjust the amount of onion, lime juice, chile, sea salt, and pepper to taste and then enjoy immediately.

This avocado gazpacho serves about four people, but you can divide it into much smaller portions as a party appetizer. Consider making a big batch and pouring it into shot glasses for a healthy swig of deliciousness. If you make it for a large gathering, make sure to do it right and top each shot glass with some fresh ingredients. Diced cucumbers, diced green onion, and diced avocado take the presentation to another level. Plus, you get more texture to contrast the creamy cold soup.

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Looking for a vegan meat substitute that isn’t manufactured in a lab? Forget the fake meat and starting cooking with portobello mushrooms! You can grill the entire caps and sandwich them between two slices of bread to make hearty sandwiches or burgers. Trying to steer clear of bread? Slice up portobello caps and sauté them with other veggies in a stir-fry, or make these vegan fajitas.

Like other mushrooms, portobellos exhibit an earthy flavor. You can counteract a bit of that earthiness by scraping out the undersides of the caps. Rinse them out and lightly scrape them with your fingers (it can be a good idea to wear disposable gloves for this) prior to slicing up the caps. If you really want that mushroom flavor to vanish, you have to season them properly and thoroughly. In the case of this recipe, you create your own taco seasoning by using a series of spices. The reason to avoid store bought taco seasoning is because it contains excess sodium, added flavors, and preservatives.

This fajita dish is very simple to make because all you have to do is thinly slice the bell peppers, red onion, and portobellos, season them, and bake them for 25 minutes. Make sure that you remove the pan halfway through the cooking process so that you can mix them up for even cooking. While the veggies are cooking, you can prepare the pico de gallo, which is very easy to make. Once the veggies are out of the oven, toast your corn tortillas and assemble your fajitas. Please enjoy!

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What is lycopene and why should you add more of it to your diet? Lycopene is a plant pigment that gives foods like tomatoes and watermelons their signature colors. Exhibiting antioxidant properties, lycopene has been linked to a long list of health benefits. Researchers note that lycopene may offer protection against sunburns, free radical damage, and even certain types of cancers.

Belonging to the carotenoid family, which is a group of compounds related to vitamin A, lycopene may help reduce systolic pressure. That is the top number on your blood pressure reading and it indicates how much pressure is exerted against the arterial walls when the heart beats. Decreasing that number is very beneficial for people with high blood pressure. Additionally, lycopene may improve LDL cholesterol and blood flow.

The benefits don’t just end there! Lycopene and beta-carotene are primary carotenoids founding skin and plasma. That’s why you often see those antioxidants in skin care products. Lycopene may improve the body’s ability to protect itself from the sun. Loading up on tomatoes doesn’t make you immune to sunburn; rather, it simply offers extra protection to your skin. Lycopene also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce oxidative stress. Finally, lycopene offers neuroprotective properties and may even help balance levels of cytokines, proteins that alert the immune system. Some great sources of lycopene include:

• Guava: 5,204 micrograms (mcg) per 100 grams (g)
• Tomato: 3,041 mcg per 100 g
• Grapefruit: 1,219 mcg per 100 g
• Papaya: 1,828 mcg per 100 g
• Watermelon: 4,532 mcg per 100 g
• Red bell pepper: 484 mcg per 100 g
• Persimmon: 159 mcg per 100 g
• Red cabbage: 20 mcg per 100 g
• Asparagus: 30 mcg per 100 g
• Mango: 3 mcg per 100 g

Lycopene And Your Sleep

Within recent years, researchers have focused their attention on the link between diet and sleep quantity/quality. Some studies looked at the link between sleep duration and higher intake of lycopene-rich foods. In these studies, sleep parameters were tracked using self-reports, and the diet was assessed by food diaries that participants kept. Based on the information, researchers found an association between sleep duration and lycopene levels. Based on that information, though, researchers need to conduct more studies on lycopene in the diet and sleep. 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Lycopene exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that result from its lipophilic nature. That means that lycopene has a close association with cell membranes, enabling them to regulate inflammatory responses and signals. In fact, lycopene may prevent the production of different cytokines, including IL1, IL6, IL8, and TNF-α. It may also inhibit nuclear factor kappa B, a signaling pathway that causes an inflammatory response. Lycopene experts say that the anti-inflammatory nature may be a potent agent for cancer treatment, especially in regards to the inhibition of metastasis and tumor progression. 

Antihypertensive Effects

In one study on overweight and obese people, a higher presence of lycopene was associated with a lower risk of hypertension. A different study noted that lycopene may exhibit antihypertensive effects in rats without causing hypotension. Another study with 54 patients with hypertension found that blood pressure decreased after six weeks of tomato extract supplementation. Another study found that lycopene supplementation of more than 12 mg per day in hypertensive patients significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number on a blood pressure reading).

Conclusion

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that exists in many easily accessible foods. Not only does it offer protection to your skin, but it may also improve heart health and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Although you can take a lycopene supplement, it may be most effective when consumed from lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes, grapefruits, red bell peppers, watermelon, and other red or pink fruits.

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