Discover the amazing weight loss benefits of artichokes, how to best prepare them, and how much you should eat to get the most benefit from artichokes, one of nature’s amazing fat burning foods.
The artichoke, which is a highly prized vegetable, is actually a flower bud and is closely related to the thistle plant. If you let them bloom, the artichoke flower is almost seven inches across and a beautiful deep violet blue.
There are two types of artichoke, the Green Globe, which can be found year-round, and the Desert Globe, which can only be found in grocery stores from December to March and again from July to September.
Artichoke leaves, which are somewhat prickly in texture, start at a base that sprouts from the stem. The edible sections of the plant are the heart and the leaves.
Fat Burning Benefits of Artichokes
Artichokes provide a number of fat-fighting properties that make them a great vegetable to include in your weekly dinner.
Due to its diuretic effect, toxins are quickly eliminated from the body.
The nutrient-dense artichoke provides 16 essential nutrients, but contains only about 25 calories per medium artichoke.
This vegetable is a great way to get the fiber you need to feel full and satisfied; It’s also a great source of vitamin C, which speeds up metabolism to help the body burn fat, and provides folic acid, which aids in digestion.
The key minerals, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron, are abundant in each artichoke and offer healthy fat-burning properties.
The powerful antioxidant properties of the silymarin compound help your liver regenerate healthy tissue.
Many of the phytochemicals found in artichokes are now being investigated for their properties that help maintain health and prevent disease.
prepare artichokes
Steaming and boiling are the best ways to enjoy artichokes. Artichokes need to be cleaned and trimmed before doing anything else.
Depending on how many artichokes you plan to cook, you will need a heavy pot and a lid. Put 1-1/2 to 2 cups of water in the bottom of the saucepan. Place the lid on top until the water boils. Once the water is boiling, simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes; they are ready when you can easily remove a leaf from the center row of leaves. Remove the artichokes from the pan and allow the water to drain completely. Artichokes can be served hot or cold, but cold artichokes are more flavorful.
Artichokes are a great ingredient for making soups; You can also stuff them or marinate the hearts in oil and lemon. This is what you’ll want to look for when shopping for artichokes. Hearty artichokes should be dark green, heavy, and have tight leaves. If they are dry or turning brown, don’t buy them.
To clean artichokes, turn them over in the sink; rinse by running plain water over them, making sure to remove all dirt and other debris.
You can remove the entire stem or, if desired, leave about 1-1/2 inches remaining and remove the outer skin. You’ll also want to remove the tiny lower leaves that grow along the bottom of what’s called “the strangler.” Some cooks remove the prickly tips from the leaves; some remove the tops of the artichokes before stuffing them. If you cut the stems, set them aside. They are great in soup!
Once you have prepared the artichokes, put them in a saucepan with water and add the juice of 1 or 2 lemons before cooking; this helps keep them fresh.
There are some simple steps involved in consuming artichokes. Remove each choke blade by pulling on it. Hold the pointed end with your fingers, then scrape the leafy end between your teeth. Believe it or not, the edible part of the leaf is found within the lower third of each leaf. After eating them, you can throw the leaves into a second bowl.
How much is a daily serving?
A medium artichoke represents a day’s ration.