Bell Peppers: A Colorful Addition to a Healthy Diet

Bell Peppers, also known as sweet peppers, are a popular vegetable that come in many different colors, including red, green, yellow and orange. Not only do they add color and flavor to the kitchen, but they are also rich in important vitamins and minerals. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the many health benefits of peppers, their nutritional value, and a delicious recipe you can use to incorporate them into your diet.

Nutritional profile of bell peppers

One medium bell bell pepper (119 grams) contains:

Calories: 24
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: 0.3 grams
Carbohydrates: 6 grams
Dietary fiber: 2 grams
Vitamin C: 157% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin A: 11% of the DV
Potassium: 5% of the DV

Health benefits of peppers

Rich in antioxidants: bell peppers are rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. This has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Supports eye health: Bell peppers are a good source of vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration.

Supports the immune system: Bell peppers are a rich source of vitamin C, which plays an important role in supporting the immune system and helping the body fight off infections.

May help with weight loss: Bell peppers are low in calories and high in fiber, which can prolong feelings of fullness and aid in weight loss.

Recipe: Stuffed peppers

Ingredients:

4 peppers, tops and seeds removed 1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms 1 cup cooked brown rice 1 cup tomato sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, celery and mushrooms until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried basil.

Fill the peppers with the beef and rice mixture and place in a baking dish.

Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over each bell pepper.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Conclusion:

Bell peppers are a colorful and tasty vegetable rich in essential vitamins and minerals. They are also low in calories and high in antioxidants and fiber, which can protect against chronic diseases, support eye health, boost the immune system and help with weight loss. Incorporating bell peppers into your diet can be as simple as adding them to salads, stir-fries or trying the recipe in this blog post. So the next time you are looking for a healthy and tasty addition to your meals, reach for bell peppers!