Asparagus
Spring is coming and soon we will have more local NW produce than we’ll know what to do with. But for now, there are just a few fruits and vegetables that are locally grown and in season in April. One of those vegetables is asparagus.
Random fact of the day: Did you know that asparagus takes 3 years
from the time of planting to the time of harvest? But once it’s
established, it can grow for decades.
As one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetable, asparagus
has a wide variety of nutrients for a healthy diet.
* For women of child-bearing age, it is incredibly important to make sure you are consuming enough folic acid. Asparagus has one of the highest amounts of folic acid among all the vegetables with 60% of the RDA for a 5.3 ounce.
According to the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, asparagus is:
Very low in sodium.
A good source of potassium.
A source of fiber (3 grams per 5.3 oz. serving).
An excellent source of folacin.
A significant source of thiamin.
A significant source of vitamin B6.
One of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens
capillary walls.
Contains glutathione (GSH)
And for the second random fact of the day: Most everyone has heard
that eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny, yet some people
don’t have this experience. They used to believe that some people
made the smelly metabolite after eating asparagus and some people
didn’t. But now we know that the difference is actually in people’s
noses. Some of you are able to pick up the smell, while others
cannot, but the smell is produced by everyone about 15 minutes after
eating this spring vegetable.
*Remember, a great nutrition goal is to make sure there is a ½ plate of
vegetables at lunch and dinner. April is the perfect time to add more asparagus to reach that goal.
Jordann Kearns RD, LD
