If you ask us, beetroots are one of the most under-appreciated vegetables on the market. You probably know all about how it can stain your clothes or food, but don’t know about the many health benefits it can bring to your plate. Well, we’re here to change all that, as we’re going to give you 10 reasons why you need to include this vegetable in your diet plan.

1. Strengthens Your Heart
Beetroot is often recommended by doctors as it can help prevent heart attacks or similar cardiovascular problems, as this wonderful vegetable can lower your blood pressure and therefore halt hypertension. So, if you want a strong and healthy heart, add some to your dinner plate today.

2. Improves Your Stamina and Endurance
If you regularly workout then beetroots are the ideal vegetable, as it contains nitrate that helps to carry oxygen around your body. As a result, your muscles don’t need as much oxygen and you’ll ultimately have more stamina and endurance.

3. Improves Brain Function
As beetroot can increase the blood flow to your brain, it is a great way to prevent dementia, and is therefore particularly beneficial to our elders. In addition, the vegetable can also improve a person’s cognitive functions.

4. Detox Your Body
If you want to rid your body of all sorts of toxins then you should definitely make beetroot a staple item in your home. As it is packed with glycine betaine and methionine, it can stimulate your liver’s cells and protect it from fatty depositions from protein deficiency or alcohol abuse. 

5. Aids Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and looking for a much needed energy boost then start eating beetroot. It’s thought to be one of the best vegetables a pregnant mother can consumer, as it contains plenty of folic acid that’s vital for a baby’s spinal cord. Beetroot can therefore prevent many spinal conditions, such as spina bifida.

6. Slows Down the Ageing Process
You can’t stop yourself getting older but you can stop yourself from looking it. As beetroot is full of antioxidants it can remove free radicals from your system, whilst also reducing DNA and cell damage, so the vegetable can prevent premature ageing. You know you want to run out to the supermarket and get some right now!

7. Tackles Anaemia
Anaemia occurs when a body is low on iron absorption, and this can often make people feel tired or lower their blood circulation. It’s essential that anyone suffering from anaemia has a diet rich in iron, and that’s where beetroot comes in. It’s high in iron and can therefore have you feeling fit and healthy.

8. Prevents Cancer
Betacyanin, a nutrient that can reduce the risk of tumours or precancerous legions, is contained in beetroot and help give the vegetable its famous red pigment. It also includes betanin that’s proven to fight off liver and skin tumours.

9. Helps Weight Loss
If you’re battling the bulge then definitely consider beetroot, as it helps to stimulate your intestine’s nerves whilst helping your body to digest food. It’s also stocked with fibre, protein and carbohydrates, so will fend away those annoying hunger cravings as you’ll feel fuller for longer. 

10. Stabilises Blood Sugar
As we’ve just mentioned, beetroot offers a wealth of fibre, which can lower your cholesterol. The bright vegetable also contains carotenoids and flavonoids that can stop bad cholesterol from being oxidised into your arteries.

So, if you care about your health at all then you’ll start eating beetroot on a regular basis. Your body will be glad you did.

The key to achieving a happy and healthy body is to incorporate the right foods into our diet, on top of a regular workout routine. Unfortunately, many of us still add fattening foods into our diets, not realising how bad they actually are for us. For this reason, we’re going to provide you with some informative facts about some of the worst culprits.

1. Sweetened Drinks

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Many people often opt for sweetened drinks, thinking they are a healthy drink in comparison with full sugar options. However, these deceptive drinks can often contain 150 calories or more. Sweetened drinks have also been linked to high blood pressure levels. Water is always recommended as the healthiest drink option as it has zero calories, but failing that you’re probably best opting for a 100% fruit juice that has a lot of nutritional value.

2. Street Foods

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The aroma of street food is often too good to resist, but you should try as they offering a varying amount of calories and aren’t great for portion control. So, if you’re on a diet or just want to live a healthy lifestyle then you’re best walking past that teasing stall.

3.        Fried Chicken

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As chicken is packed full of protein and offers so many health benefits, many people believe that fried chicken offers lower calories in comparison to a cheeseburger or hotdog; when in actual fact fried chicken is one of the worst foods you can eat. Deep fried in oil and full of salt, fried chicken is stocked full of calories. So, if you’re looking for a low fat chicken recipe then we recommend marinating chicken in a dry spice rub.

4.        Mayonnaise and Salad Cream

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Most people forget about the calories packed in condiments such as mayonnaise or salad cream, and will therefore lather it on their sandwiches or salads. However, they’re full of calories that will completely annihilate your weight loss plan. So, if you must have mayonnaise, opt for a lighter option, or you could always add some beans or tomatoes to your plate instead.

5.        Fried Snacks

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Fried snacks, such as crisps, samosas and nachos, can cause havoc to a diet as their stuffed with calories and fat. While they’re okay to eat in moderation and as part of a healthy diet, excess consumption can cause significant weight gain. Always opt for a fruit or low dressing salad as a snack instead of heading to the fried snacks – your waistline will be happy you did.

6.        Sugary Alcoholic Beverages

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Believe it or not, those colourful sugary alcoholic drinks and cocktails can contain between 300 to 800 calories, which is why it’s important to avoid them when on a night out or having an evening in. Instead, opt for a light beer, a glass of champagne, single vodka or a small glass of dry white wine.

7.        Sausages, Burgers and Hot Dogs

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Can you believe that one hot dog offers 280 calories? Just one hot dog! While some sausage varieties can contain a whopping 330 calories! Do you love a cheeseburger? Well you probably won’t like the fact that the average sized burger on a bun with cheese, tomato and lettuce can contain over 700 calories.

8.        High Fat Meats

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Surprisingly, certain red meats can be full of calories, with pork and beef ribs being some of the worst offenders, as this can be the fattiest part of the animal. What’s even more shocking is that a 20 ounce T-bone steal can be packed with 1,540 calories. Sheesh!

9.        Ice Cream

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Ice cream is everyone’s favourite summer snack – but we doubt people would want one as much if they knew just one scoop can offer nearly 400 calories. So, if you want to stay fit and healthy then opt for healthier alternatives, such as fruit desserts or a fresh smoothie.

10.        Chips

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In the UK, you can’t seem to turn a corner without running into a chip shop. However, these “chippy chips” will provide 946 calories for 1 400g serving. Shocking! Packed full of salt and cooked in fattening oil, they’re definitely a no-no when it comes to dieting. You should therefore make healthier alternatives using fresh potatoes and some herbs or spices.

Are you surprised by the calorie content in the above foods? Will it stop you from adding them to your diet? Let us know.