![]() I loved my mom’s squash, BUT sometimes it’s okay to mess with tradition when it’s for a good reason! I remember she would cut the whole squash in half and roast both halves with a little bit of butter and brown sugar. When I was a little girl, my mom used to bake acorn squash and the sweet smell would fill up the whole kitchen. The skin is way thicker and more challenging to cut through on an acorn squash, but it’s SO delicious and worth the labor. Who doesn’t love roasted acorn squash on a gorgeous fall day? The rest of the year, I stick to my comfort zone (butternut squash) since it’s very common to find and easier to handle.Īcorn squash, just like its name suggests, looks like a giant acorn! It has a thick green skin, orange flesh inside and a bunch of seeds that you will need to scoop out. I love it! Naturally, I took several home with me. Remember, in order to get many of the benefits of squash (carotenoids and vitamin A), you need to consume your squash with a fat, such as olive oil, nuts, seeds or full-fat dairy.The farmers markets are crawling with acorn squash this time of the year. Slice the squash down the centre, scoop out the seeds and roast it with your favourite filling (minced meat, tofu, chickpeas or lentils, for example). Pro tip: try your hand at stuffed delicata squash. Frozen squash is just as nutritious and can take some of the prep work out of cooking too. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy it roasted on its own or toss it on top of a salad or blend into a soup. Peeling and chopping butternut squash can be laborious but this preparation makes it easy to roast. Try adding it to oatmeal and smoothies or mix it into plain Greek yoghurt to make your own pumpkin-flavoured breakfast. Canned pumpkin-the only ingredient should be pumpkin-is an easy and affordable way to add squash to your diet. It's all about personal taste preference, accessibility and comfort in the kitchen. Routinely making swaps like these can help prevent chronic diseases linked to inflammation. Swapping refined carbohydrates-such as white pasta or bread-for baked acorn squash at dinner, or ditching sugary cereals at breakfast for a homemade pumpkin chia pudding can provide all of the above benefits. Squash's nutrient profile, in particular, makes it an excellent player in the fight against chronic inflammation. (Related: Dietitian-approved, High-protein Snacks To Eat After a Workout) However, when inflammation becomes chronic-meaning it is triggered for a prolonged period of time-it can stimulate the development of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease and cancer.Īs simple as it may sound, one major way to prevent or combat chronic inflammation is to consume a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, unrefined grains, unsaturated fats and lean proteins- research supports this suggestion above all other dietary fads. It occurs when there is exposure to an allergen or toxin, when an injury happens or during an infection to help kick-start the healing process. But first, it's important to note that inflammation is a necessary function in the body. Instead of noshing on plain steamed squash, for example, make sure you drizzle some healthy fats, such as olive oil, on top to ensure optimal absorption of those skin-nourishing compounds.Ī review article in a 2021 issue of the journal Biomedicines examined the anti-inflammatory effects of diet on healthy ageing. This means that in order to be absorbed in the body, they need to be in the presence of fat. But, before you go and gobble up numerous plates of squash in the hopes of promoting youthful skin, it's important to note that carotenoids are fat-soluble. ![]() This information matched the theory, also discussed in the paper, that higher levels of antioxidants in the skin help protect against ageing. A review paper published in a 2011 issue of the journal Molecules, described that high carotenoid levels in the skin helped individuals appear younger, although that metric is subjective. Beta-carotene also supports the growth and turnover of new skin cells. For context, free radicals are a type of harmful molecule that can build up in cells and cause damage to things like DNA and proteins. Beta-carotene in squash, for example, supports skin health by fighting damage done to the skin by free radicals. Research indicates that carotenoids are among the strongest antioxidants.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |