Raisins are often overlooked as one of the healthiest fruits available. Loaded with fiber, raisins can help to keep you feeling full, and prevent feelings of hunger. In addition, raisins can be useful in the treatment and prevention of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer. Raisins are also a great source of vitamin C, which is required in order to maintain good health. While raisins are a great item to be used as a snack or on the road, they can also be incorporated into other food items as part of a healthy diet. Below are some great ideas that you can try out today!
On Cereal
Raisins have been used as a topping for cereal for years, and for good reason. Raisins provide a natural sweetness to cereal without the added calories and energy drop associated with sugar. In addition, raisins are a good source of fiber, which is slow-digesting. This means that raisins take a long time to move from your stomach to your small intestine, and therefore are essential in helping to keep you feeling fuller, longer. Incorporating raisins into a morning meal can help prevent overeating at future meals.
With Salad
Though salads traditionally have been composed of lettuce, tomatoes, and perhaps a few onions, today more and more exotic items are making their way into this healthy item. It's no longer rare to find cranberries, mandarin orange slices, and even walnuts in salads. Try adding a handful of walnuts to a lettuce salad for a spin on the old standby. You can also try adding raisins to fruit salad to get a unique taste. When used in fruit salad, consider soaking the raisins in orange, apple, or cranberry juice before placing in the salad. The raisins will be juicier, and will blend in with the fruity taste of the rest of the salad.
With Chicken
Add raisins to chicken for a sweet addition to a healthy main dish. This will provide a unique taste that is not traditionally used. The neutral taste of chicken can pair well with a variety of items, including both regular and golden raisins. Try preparing the chicken through baking, grilling, roasting, or baking to find the way that suits you best. Your friends will be begging for the recipe and the secret behind it!
In Cake
While cake isn't often listed as an item on a list of healthy foods, if the right items are incorporated into the cake batter, it can become healthier. Try adding raisins to a rum cake--they'll provide an interesting texture change from the traditional cake, and will also provide consumers with high amounts of vitamin C, which is essential for good health. Raisins can be used in the old standbys of oatmeal raisin cookies, but can also be tried in new combinations--such as walnut-raisin cookies. Finally, try sneaking a few raisins into an apple pie--they'll add a great sweetness to the traditionally tart dessert.
