By Abby C. Sauer, MPH, RD, LD Broccoli is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It's low in calories and fat, and high in fiber and many vitamins and minerals, including 70% of the Daily Values (DV) for vitamin A and 120% DV for vitamin C.
Buying and Storing
- When buying broccoli, examine the stalks — they should be compact, slender, and crisp. Look for florets that are tight together and uniformly green. If leaves are present, they should have good color and not be wilted.
- Do not wash broccoli before storing, and be sure to store in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. Refrigerate broccoli to preserve its texture and flavor, along with vitamin C content.
- Broccoli is best eaten within one to two days of purchase, but it can be kept up to four days in the refrigerator.
Cooking and Serving
- Enjoy broccoli in a variety of ways. Try it raw with other vegetables as part of an appetizer plate or add a few florets in your salad.
- Cook and eat broccoli by itself as a tasty side dish, or chop and add it to stir-fries, pastas, or soups.
- Try to avoid smothering broccoli with cheese — it adds lots of extra calories and fat. Instead, try to lighten up by topping broccoli with lemon juice, a sprinkle of slivered almonds, sesame seeds, toasted bread crumbs, or a little Parmesan cheese.
Add broccoli to your meals and discover the benefits of this superhero of the vegetable world!