Thanksgiving Super Foods!

With Thanksgiving exactly one week away, we wanted to share 15 Thanksgiving Super Foods that will help save your life! These foods are not only important around Thanksgiving time but also throughout the entire year!

Chef Michael Carmel with the Culinary Institute of Charleston Trident Technical College has created these tips to incorporate these super foods into your Thanksgiving meal and their health benefits.

1. Broccoli	Use as a side dish	Helps fight cancer and supports body’s detox process
2. Beans	Side Dish	Low in fat and high in protein, fiber and iron
3. Pumpkin and Squash	Toast Seeds Roast with red onion Use in soups and desserts	High in fiber and iron; Boosts the immune system
4. Spinach, Kale, Collards	Sauté Use in Soups	Lowers cholesterol and helps blood flow
5. Onions	Stuffing and Sauces	Reduces risk of heart attacks by 20%
6. Garlic	Sauté with everything	Used to treat stroke, arthritis; Anti-inflammatory
7. Tomatoes	Use in Sauces and Soups	Cancer preventative
8. Apples	Use in Stuffing and Desserts	Helps fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes
9. Oranges	Zest in cranberry sauce or serve naked	Great source of Vitamin C
10. Turkey	Roast in the Oven	Lean protein and Low in Saturated Fat
11. Olive Oil	Salad Dressings and Cooking	Source of Vitamin E, lowers blood pressure
12. Nuts	Put in stuffing and desserts	Reduces change of heart attacks by 15%
13. Honey	Desserts and substitute for sugar	High level of antioxidants
14. Cinnamon	Use in desserts	Brain booster- encourages cognitive ability
15.  Dark Chocolate	Just to eat!	Lowers blood pressure and high level of flavones

 Happy Holidays from MUSC Boeing Center for Children's Wellness and Chef Carmel!