So – Dried figs. Yes, I know, they don’t look that appetising but if you give them a try I think you’ll be surprised. Just remove the little knobbly stem bit and bite in. They’re actually very squashy and juicy, with a little bit of texture from the tiny seeds in the middle. They go surprising well with a cup of coffee so you can imagine you are in a Turkish café or something.
So why are they good for you?
- They’re packed with IRON, which is great if you’re a vegetarian and need to find some extra sources of iron. Even if you’re a meat eater, many people suffer from fatigue and lack of energy, which is a common symptom of low iron levels.
- They’re a great source of POTASSIUM. Potassium helps to restore the balance in the body of too much salt and it helps to lower your blood pressure.
- They’re a good source of CALCIUM – which is helpful for people who don’t eat dairy. Figs can also help keep bones strong by reducing the loss of calcium excreted when you have a wee!.
- Excitingly they also provide a source of COPPER. Research from the University of California suggests that copper is essential for breaking down fat cells to be used for energy. The more copper there is available to the body, the more fat metabolism can take place. Copper is also needed to form red blood cells, absorb iron, develop connective tissues and help the immune system -important at this time of year!.
Make sure you buy the ready to eat packs of dried figs and not the sort used for cooking and baking. Alternatively, you could give fresh figs a go.
Tell me in the comments below what you think of them when you’ve given them a try.
Sources: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/copper-key-burning-fat
http://www.healthy-magazine.co.uk
