A reader asks the following question:
“My family always likes cranberries during the holidays. Are cranberries healthy? Is that canned sauce healthy? Are cranberries okay to eat raw?”
Please join this discussion and post your comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Here’s what I think . . .
Cranberries – A Wonderful Winter Treat
Cranberries are full of nutrients – vitamin C, fiber, manganese, vitmin K, beta-carotene, lutein + zeaxanthin, as well as flavonoids. Cranberries are an excellent source of antioxidants so don’t wait until the holidays to enjoy them.
The only good thing I can say for most canned varieties is that cranberries are at least the first ingredient. Unfortunately after that there is sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup. This type of processed food is the worst! Skip the can and make your own.
As for raw cranberries – enjoy! This is an item where I would recommend purchasing organic as cranberries are small and you won’t be peeling them. Some people fear trying raw cranberries because they can be tart. Try my cranberry relish which is a sweet and sour combination.
You can always cook cranberries down with a little honey or orange juice to make a sweetened relish. Other ways to enjoy cranberries are thin sliced or chopped on salads, on top of cooked vegetables, or sprinkle some on oatmeal. Or, check out this great recipe!
