Root vegetables are made up of mostly complex carbohydrates, longer sugar chains that take longer to digest and absorb than simple carbohydrates.  With time, the body breaks each sugar chain down into glucose, the simple sugar your body needs for energy.  The more active you are, the more calories and carbohydrates you need to fuel your physical activity.  Therefore, the natural complex carbohydrates from root vegetables is a great source of energy for fueling activity.   

2. Filling

Root vegetables are high in fiber.  Fiber is a carbohydrate only found in plants. Fiber cannot be used for energy. When consumed, it goes through the body undigested keeping you feeling fuller longer and your digestive system running regularly.  When it enters your gut, fiber also feeds the healthy bacteria that makes up your “gut microbiome.”  A healthy gut microbiome is essential for nutrient breakdown, nutrient absorption, and the strength of your immune system.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

Like all colorful, whole plant foods, root vegetables are packed with phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are the compounds that give plants their color and have naturally occurring antioxidants. Antioxidants have an anti-inflammatory affect. In food, they help prevent inflammation by gathering up all the damaging free radicals that float around in the body due to pollution, stress, exercise, illness, and injury.  While inflammation is essential for our body to fight infection and recover after workouts, consuming foods high in phytochemicals can prevent chronic inflammation such as long-term skin irritation, headaches, and stomach pain.

4. Long Shelf Life

If you keep your root vegetables in a cool, dry place, they will stay fresh for a long time. With the uncertainty of what the winter may bring, plan to make fewer trips out of the house by stocking up on these nutrient rich plants this winter!  Completely omit the need to venture to the grocery store by utilizing Nutrition for Longevity’s farm fresh produce box . This box offers a wide variety of seasonal root vegetables that grow on our regenerative farm and deliver straight to your door!     

5. Versatile in the Kitchen

Root vegetables can be enjoyed in so many ways, making it easy to incorporate them into your diet.  Some options include caramelizing in the oven, boiling and mashing, or pickling! Other root vegetables are simply best enjoyed raw!  Find out more on how to prepare these wonderful plants in our Root Vegetable Recipe Blog and on the  N4L recipe blog page.  Don't want to cook?  Try the prepared root vegetables we use in our fully prepared heat & serve meal kits.         

Sources:

Beets - The History, Myriad Uses, and Health Benefits of These Beloved Roots - Today's Dietitian Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0220p26.shtml

Link, R., MS, RD. (2018, December 06). The 13 Healthiest Root Vegetables. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/root-vegetables

Longo, V. (2018). The Longevity Diet: Discover the New Science Behind Stem Cell Activation and Regeneration to Slow Aging, Fight Disease, and Optimize Weight. New York: Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House.