food
By Mallory Arnold
A Hot Take on Chili How to beef up your chili without, the beef
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t’s hard to pass up a big bowl of chili. The heartiness, the spices, the soft tomatoes and melted cheese on top – what’s not to love? And here’s a secret: chili can actually be beneficial to your health. First of all, the meat in chili is an excellent source of protein. The beans have tons of fiber, tomatoes contain vitamin C and the capsicum in the peppers and chilies can help lower cravings for fatty or sweet foods. See? You can have your chili and eat it too – it just has to have the right ingredients. Use lean ground turkey instead of beef and include as many fresh vegetables as you can. Mix a variety of beans into the pot such as kidney, black
Photos courtesy of Eat Yourself Skinny
Hot Health Tips
Don’t slack on the chili powder! This spice is crazy healthful and has a ton of surprising benefits. Fights fat Capsaicin is a compound found in chili powder that gives your metabolism a swift kick, which increases fat burning. Anti-inflammatory Though it might feel like your tongue is on fire, chili powder actually helps decrease swelling in the joints and increases blood flow. Helps eyesight Your eyes may water, but just one tablespoon of chili powder has 9 percent of the daily vitamin A you need. This essential nutrient improves eyesight and helps prevent macular degeneration. May reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease Chili powder has a good amount of iron that can increase hemoglobin production and improve blood flow, which both lead to improved brain function and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
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