Did you know that when you peel fruits and vegetables, you could actually be peeling away a bunch of good vitamins and nutrients? Yep, many of our peeling habits are completely unnecessary and we’d be better off leaving the fruit or vegetable whole. Next time you pick up the following foods, keep the skin on…
EGGPLANT
This pretty vegetable not only looks better with the skin on, but the purple part also contains a powerful antioxidant called nasunin, which helps to prevent cell damage caused by ageing or disease.
POTATOES
I know the potatoes covered in dirt are cheaper to buy, but peeling them until they’re clean and smooth takes away a good dose of vitamin K, potassium, copper and iron. Plus, keeping the skin on helps the potato to hold onto its nutrients as it’s being cooked. So unless you’re willing to give those dirty potatoes a really good wash, go for the clean ones and leave them whole. Everybody loves a baked potato with sour cream anyway!
SWEET POTATOES
It may look a little rough, but the skin of a sweet potato is where most of its nutrients (including beta-carotene, potassium and vitamin C) are. If you love a good sweet potato mash, you can always microwave the potato whole, split open the skin and then mash the contents inside with a little butter and milk. That way, the skin will become an edible bowl!
BEETS
Fresh beets with the skin on are full of phytonutrients called betalains, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties. For your next roast dinner, chop these up with a some olives and rosemary for a colourful addition to your veggies.
CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers are already the perfect low-calorie snack, but when you get rid of the skin, you’re losing out on a good source of dietary fibre that can help to prevent constipation and colon cancer.
CARROTS
Just because it grows in the ground doesn’t mean you need to peel it. Most of the antioxidants of a carrot lie within or just underneath the skin. Give the bunch a good wash and leave it at that.
PARSNIPS
Parsnips are a whiter, sweeter version of carrots, but the same rule applies. The skin is where all the antioxidants are, so leave it be.
APPLES
If you cut up an apple as a healthy snack for your kids, make sure you leave the skin on. It’s rich in vitamin C, quercetin and triterpenoids, all of which work to fight cancer (you know what they say about an apple a day…). Plus, it’s loaded with fibre so their tummies will stay fuller for longer.
Do you peel any of the above foods? Do you think you’ll change your habits after reading this article?
Yes the peel is just as beneficial for the body!
Yum, i eat all of these .