I was in Winners the other day, and stumbled across tigernuts, one of the new trendy health foods for 2014 (Tip: Winners and Home Sense has a great selection of healthy food products at a lower price point than health food stores.) Unlike what their name may suggest, they’re not actually a nut, but a tuber, and known for their amazingly high fiber and healthy fat content.
It’s really important to get enough fiber in your diet for a number of reasons:
- Proper digestion, which is one of the keys to good overall health
- Promotes heart health (prevents heart disease and high blood pressure)
- Weight loss and maintenance: fiber absorbs water and creates bulk; this keeps you feeling fuller longer, which helps curb your appetite
- Promotes regular bowel movements*
*Pregnancy throws your hormones all out of whack, which results in a host of fun symptoms, one of them being constipation, so lately I’m extra conscious of the need to get enough fiber in my diet. Pregnant or not, it’s important to stay regular in order to flush toxins out of your body and for proper nutrient absorption.
Tigernuts are also a great source of iron, potassium, protein, and vitamins E and C. Iron is another mineral that is important during pregnancy. (Aim to get 27 grams or more per day.)
Raw tigernuts have a sweet flavor, and can easily be incorporated into your diet. I’ve been adding a tablespoon to my morning smoothie, but you could also add a spoonful to yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, muffin or cookie batter, salads and pasta.
Next time you’re shopping at Winners or Home Sense pick up a bag of tigernuts!
