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Writer's pictureJahanara Monaf

Leaves you should eat


Strawberries: this fruit is a beloved summer treat that you can eat by itself, or as an addition to salads and desserts. Even though chefs remove the stems and leaves by coring strawberries when they add them to various dishes, those parts are actually edible. A strawberry’s leaves and stem are filled with health benefits. They are a natural digestive aid, and the leaves also have vitamins that can help with arthritis. Strawberry leaves contain tannins, bio-molecules that bind to proteins, amino acids, alkaloids and other compounds with a low pH that may place excess stress on your digestive system. Strawberry leaves may help alleviate an upset stomach, and reduce symptoms of nausea, bloating, Stomach cramps and diarrhoea.


Carrots: a carrot’s leafy green top can be bitter, but it is also full of delicious nutrients. You can actually eat carrot tops raw in a salad mix. But because they are bitter, you should probably blanch them first. Another option is to saute the tops with other greens in olive oil and garlic or cook them into a soup.


Kale: you might think that kale stems aren’t nearly as good as the leaves, and you are right. However, with a little work, you can make kale stems, which are full of fibre and quite tasty. Since the stems are tough and chewy, you don’t want to eat them raw. So, first you want to blanch them.


Cauliflower: this superfood is extremely versatile and loaded with vitamins. The florets aren’t the only edible part of this vegetable. You can also eat the stem and leaves. To be honest, the aren’t skin is quite tough, so peeling and discarding that does make sense. Try adding the stems and leaves to stock and soups, or grate them for salads and slaw.


Pumpkins: every part of a pumpkin is edible. That means you can eat the flowers, leaves, stems, seeds and flesh, and each type of pumpkin has its own unique flavour. Pumpkin flowers have a sweet, earthy flavor and you can eat them straight off the plant if you have them growing in your garden. You can also add pumpkin flowers to salads or chop them up and make them a garnish.


Watermelon: watermelon is 98% water and filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients. The pink fruit is delicious, but you can also eat the rind. Some studies show that eating watermelon rind can help lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance and help men avoid prostate cancer and boost their libido. In TICM, the rind is actually a herb I prescribe for heat conditions.

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