My favorite part of eating healthy is discovering the nutritional value and essential vitamins and minerals each and every food provides. I’ve been a huge fan of pitted dates for as long as I can remember. And if I’m remembering correctly, they were a luxury food when I lived in Romania, and a huge treat when I had them.
In America, however, they’re easily accessible and plentiful. But their once rare deliciousness is not lost on me.
They originate in the Middle East and have been cultivated for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used them to make date wine and also ate them raw. They’re a great source of natural potassium, and consist of about 80% natural sugar. They contain less than 1 gram of fat, though they are heavy in carbohydrates.
I like to add them in my meal salads (salads large enough that they’re all I eat as a meal) for a sweet balance to all the vegetables in there. They’re a great natural dessert when you’re craving something sweet.
To find out more about dates, read the fantastically informative Wikipedia page. Yes. Wikipedia.
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