Healthy Eating Habits: The Sassy Goodness In Grapefruit

Juicy, tangy, sweet, and nutritious, grapefruit is tantalizing to the taste buds and a boon to our bodies’ health.

As a daily staple or an occasional treat, it is an excellent addition to a healthy eating plan.

However, some medications, including certain antidepressants, should not be taken with grapefruit. If you are using a pharmaceutical, consult with your doctor or pharmacist about its compatibility with grapefruit.

Juicy Grapefruit Tips

Although grapefruit is available throughout the year, the fruit is at its best during the winter and early spring months. To select the juiciest grapefruits at the market, look for those that are heavy for their size and have smooth instead of bumpy skin.

Grapefruit will keep for a week at room temperature if stored in a basket or bowl that has good air circulation. You can store them up to two months by putting them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.

Five Health Benefits

1. Grapefruit is a top-notch source of both vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin C is believed to fend off colds and reduces inflammation in the body. Its antioxidant effect supports cardiovascular and overall health. Vitamin A promotes healthy vision, cell growth, and a strong immune system.
2. Grapefruit provides significant amounts of vitamin B1, biotin, copper, fiber, pantothenic acid, and potassium.
3. Pink and red grapefruit owe their rosy color to lycopene, a phytonutrient also found in tomatoes. Lycopene is a super free radical fighter. Free radicals are compounds that can cause cell damage in our bodies’ tissues, and lycopene neutralizes them. White grapefruit is nutritious but has no lycopene.
4. There are phytonutrients in grapefruit called limonoids that make it easier for our body to eliminate toxins.
5. Grapefruit contains a heart-friendly abundance of pectin, a soluble fiber that aids digestion and, research suggests, helps keep our arteries clear. Both white and red grapefruit help lower cholesterol, and the red variety also reduces triglyceride levels.

Easy Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

One way to develop good eating habits is to eat nutritious and delicious foods. February is National Grapefruit Month and the time of year when this fruit tastes best—a great excuse to explore interesting grapefruit recipes.

Ingredients you will need:

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 ripe Hass avocados
• 2 large red grapefruit

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl put the mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; slowly whisk in the olive oil—until the dressing is emulsified.
2. Cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds; carefully peel off the skin and cut each half into 4 slices. Place the avocado slices into the dressing so they do not turn brown.
3. Use a sharp knife to slice the peel off the grapefruit; remove all the white pith. Then, cut between the membranes to separate the segments.
4. Place the avocado slices around the outside of a large platter. In the center, arrange the grapefruit segments. Spoon the dressing over the top; sprinkle with salt and pepper; serve and enjoy. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Sources: World’s Healthiest Foods; Food Network (recipe)