The Skinny Kid

They don’t get no respect. But they should.

Top 10 Reasons To Eat Brussels Sprouts: They Are So PHAT! » iFitandHealthy.com

This little, cute, nutritional powerhouse in the mustard family was first cultivated in 18th century Belgium. It was not easy for them to sustain culinary appeal, but they had the goods to back it up, and I am happy they are still with us today.

Brussels sprouts are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Just one serving will exceed your RDA for vitamin C and K. With only 6 grams of effective carbs, they are low in carbohydrates, but deliver a powerful fiber punch.

One serving (1 cup) or approximately 5 sprouts contain:

Calories - 65
Protein - 5.6
Fat - 0.60
Cholesterol - 0
Carbohydrate - 12 (g)
Fiber - 6 (g)
Potassium - 450 (mg)
Vitamin C - 70 (mg)
Folate - 157 (mg)
Vitamin A - 1435 IU
Vitamin K - 299

If that is not enough for you to give Brussels sprouts much deserved respect, by incorporating them in your diet, consider this. Plant phytochemicals in Brussels sprouts support your immune system against disease, including cancer. Sulforaphane found in Brussels sprouts helps enzymes in your body to clear carcinogens. Researchers in Netherlands found out that a diet reach in Brussels spouts decreases DNA damage by 28%.

If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you may want to know that deficiencies in folic acid have been linked to birth defects, but these miniature cabbages will give you a pretty good amount of it.

Soluble and insoluble fiber are world famous when it comes to weight loss, satisfying your hunger and protecting your colon against colon cancer. Guess what? Brussels sprouts have almost equal amounts of both, delivering a whooping 6 grams of it, which is considered high for a vegetable.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise, but it seems like repeated messages that we are too fat are just making us give up on being slim.

Repeated Weight loss Messages Have No Effect On Couch Potatoes

The obsession of the media as well as the society of having slim bodies may not be enough motivation for couch potatoes to get up and exercise , according to a UCLA study. In fact the repeated stress on weight loss may make obese people more determined to spend time doing nothing, the study said.

Don’t let the nags get you down!

You know you are supposed to eat more veggies. You want to eat more veggies. It’s just, well, hard.

9 ways to sneak veggies into meals - Forbes.com - MSNBC.com

For those who would rather eat mothballs than their daily serving, Lipert suggests getting creative by combining vegetables with favorite foods. Instead of having a meat-only sandwich, or one garnished with a limp bit of lettuce, toss on some tomatoes, sprouts and spinach to fulfill one serving of vegetables. Loading your pizza down with sausage, pepperoni and extra cheese may not be the road to health, but throw on half a cup of broccoli, spinach or mushrooms and at least you’re getting another serving in.

“You can also get really creative and incorporate vegetables into baked goods, such as zucchini bread or carrot-raisin bran muffins,” she says. “That way, it doesn’t seem like you’re being forced to eat a side or plate of veggies.”