Peas

Peas are nutrient rich “super foods.” Peas provide “51% of the required amount of vitamin K, 42% of your daily manganese, 40% of the daily requirement of vitamin C and over ¼ of your body's daily requirement of vitamin B1 (thiamin)” as well as “12 to 25 % of the daily requirement for folate, vitamin A, tryptophan, phosphorus, B6, protein, niacin, magnesium, riboflavin, copper, iron, zinc and potassium.” And this is not unique to green peas. Yellow peas, sugar snap peas, snow peas are all highly nutritious. Nutrients in peas help lower blood pressure, which can prevent cardiovascular related diseases such as stroke or heart attack. The high fiber and protein content of peas has tentatively been connected to lowered risk of type 2 diabetes.

Frozen or fresh, peas offer a filling and varied way to round out your diet. Some peas can be eaten pod and all, whereas others have to be shucked so look up the type of pea you are using before you cook it! Sautee or steam peas rather than boil them so you don’t lose nutrients.

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