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Salsa Is the New Superfood, Here’s How
Whether you’re known for your health-conscious food choices, or you are elbow-deep in a bag of chips while you read this (judgment-free zone), you’re going to love our vote for the newest superfood: salsa. If you’re thinking, “wait, how can salsa be a superfood?” Well, a superfood is any food with health benefits (yeah, it’s a low bar). Fresh salsa is jam-packed with good-for-you ingredients, like tomatoes, onions, and peppers, that team up to form this nutrient-filled condiment. We’ve done an ingredient breakdown of why salsa is more than just a source of vegetables, it’s our nominee for the newest superfood. So, read on to see how you can give your health kick some major kick with spicy, smoky, delicious salsa.
Tomatoes Top the Superfood (And Salsa Ingredient) List
Tomatoes aren’t just the titans of a good salsa, they’re also a superfood on their own. This savory fruit has been masquerading as a veggie, but today we unveil its true identity: superfood. Roasted, pureed, or diced, tomatoes are fat free and low in calories, plus they’re an excellent source of calcium, vitamins C, K & B, and potassium. That mega mix of vitamins and minerals is essential for heart and bone health. Unlike some other exotic “superfoods” that we can’t even pronounce (we’re looking at you, Acai), tomatoes complement other flavors like mesquite, chipotle, and lime perfectly so you can totally chow down on tons of binge-worthy salsa flavors in the name of good health (you have our permission).
Onions Are Layered With Health Benefits
Tear up and cheer! When you peel back the layers of an onion, you’ll find all its healthy benefits. Whether in mild or extra-hot salsa, these veggies are the bringers of bold flavor and a good source of vitamins A & C, minerals, and fiber. There’s a lot of healthy stuff layered inside an onion. While they might have a strong smell, those organic sulfur compounds that give onions their signature aroma certainly don’t stink at reducing cholesterol levels and promoting insulin production.
Beans, Beans, the Magical…Superfood!
You know the chant. Beans have been the magical fruit most of our lives, but really, beans are a magical food. Black beans, especially, are a healthy source of carbohydrates, they’re low in fat, and they bring lots of fiber, antioxidants, and even protein to the table. If you really want to up the ante on your salsa’s superfood status, reach for a black bean salsa. We won’t stop you from double-dipping in your favorite black bean and corn salsa—the hearty texture brings heart-healthy goodness to every spicy bite.
Another unique salsa ingredient that’s uncommon but not uncalled for in salsa is garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). Setting aside their confusing name (are these beans or peas?), garbanzo beans are a straight-up health food. So, what’s the deal with a salsa made with chickpeas? It’s genius, trust us. Not only are chickpeas a creamy and delicious addition to salsa, but they bring wholesome fiber and vitamins, and the salsa tastes great on anything you’d normally eat with salsa or hummus (so, basically, all the things).
Fruit Salsas: Nutrition That’s Always in Season
Lucky for you, peach and mango salsas are always in season. Fruit salsas are a natural, healthy way to add sweet heat to all your favorite foods: salmon, chicken, quinoa, yogurt…the list goes on and on. Anyone who's been paying attention knows that fruit is good for you, so peaches or mangos in salsa are a perfect combination of good for you and good on everything. Skip the sugar and pour on the fruit salsa. These superfood salsas kick your health into high gear with antioxidants, an alphabet of vitamins, and fiber.
Spicy Salsa: Insanely Hot or Insanely Healthy?
We say both. So, friends, grab your favorite fiery-hot salsa and dip into superfood health benefits. While hot peppers aren’t technically superfoods (what is, really?), they do deserve a high-five for raising the health meter every time you dip, dunk, and devour tongue-tingling salsa. For us, there’s little to debate about how hot sauce is good for you, and the same goes for most hot salsas. The heat in spicy foods comes from capsaicin, which is known to activate your metabolism and has anti-inflammatory qualities for improved heart health.