It's finally Artichoke Season. I love artichokes. Of course, as an Italian, the traditional way for my family to eat them is overstuffed with bread crumbs and cheese and drizzled with lots of olive oil. I happen to make the best stuffed artichokes and everyone begs for them at holidays. They are divine, but not exactly the best choice if you're concerned about health or weight loss. Reserve them for special occasions only.
So what else can you do with an artichoke? Simply steam it or braise it. Add a touch of garlic or herb-infused olive oil or prepare a dip made from soy or regular yogurt and fresh herbs and spices to serve on the side. You can eat them plain, too. If the artichokes are in season and perfectly ripe and tender, they're so good just as they are.
Artichokes are a good choice if you are trying to watch your weight. They take forever to eat. Order a steamed or braised artichoke as an appetizer when dining out. Because they are so time consuming to eat and so filling, you will probably eat a whole lot less when your entree arrives. I love to steam up an artichoke and eat it while I'm watching TV. So much better than chips and other unhealthy snack foods.
Artichokes are rich in fiber. They fill you up. They are also very low on the glycemic food index, so if you are diabetic, you can eat artichokes to your heart's content. If you avoid pasta because you are diabetic, choose whole wheat varieties and toss in plenty of freshly steamed or braised artichoke hearts. Your body will immediately go to town digesting all that fiber in the artichokes and your blood sugar levels should remain pretty consistent. It's not always about what you eat; it's about what you choose to eat along with your favorite foods that makes all the difference.
One medium artichoke provides vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, magnesium, potassium and manganese. The beauty of nutrient-rich vegetables like the artichoke is that you get the nutrients and fiber without a lot of calories. One whole artichoke has about 65 calories. Just avoid those little jars of marinated artichokes hearts. Those are packed in oil and loaded with fat and preservatives. Canned artichokes contain too much salt, so it's best to stay away from those, as well. Stick with fresh. You can also try frozen artichokes, but nothing really compares with a fresh artichoke in season.
Artichokes and artichoke extracts have been used for ages as traditional remedies for several health conditions. Artichokes have been used as diuretics and as a treatment for hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid in the blood and a cause of gout). Artichoke extracts are being studied using modern research methods to evaluate benefits to these conditions, as well as others, such as high blood cholesterol. So far, the research is promising, but not conclusive. I am sure you will reap the benefits and it certainly can't hurt to add more artichokes to your diet, but don't stop taking your medication if your doctor has prescribed it for high cholesterol, water retention, or if you suffer from gout.
If you have absolutely no clue what to do with an artichoke; here's a very simple and delicious recipe to try:
Braised Artichokes With Thyme.
Enjoy...........
