Go green with broccoli

Versatility

It’s always worth keeping some fresh broccoli in the fridge, as it can be called on at any time to add tasty nutrition and a lush green colour to soups, salads and stir-fries. It also has enough nutritional clout to be served as a lone accompaniment to a juicy steak.

Texture is also a major advantage in the kitchen, as the florets are super soft, whereas the stalk (which is completely edible and tastes like cauliflower) is firm, making it ideal for adding crunch to dishes. Raw broccoli is naturally firm, however, it’s best served steamed, sautéed or stir-fried. Tossing it in olive oil and salt and baking it is also a nice idea. You can quickly boil your florets, but keep an eye on the time, as the shorter they cook the better it crisps. And a firm head can quickly descend into a mushy mess if left for too long in a pan.

Nutrition

Here’s where broccoli really shines. Not only does it weigh in at only 31 calories per 100 grams, but each head is packed with fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. Amazingly, this veggie is ideal for both dieters and bodybuilders, providing a bunch of cell strengthening vitamins and antioxidants. If you’re watching your waistline, you can happily eat a bowl of low calorie broccoli without a worry and, as it’s a dense food, it’ll fill up your stomach, keeping you fuller for longer. For those putting on muscle, broccoli is still the number one veggie in bodybuilding, which says a lot about its nutritional benefits. It’s not that broccoli’s a magic muscle builder (2.8g of protein per 100g won’t have you looking like The Rock) but its vitamins and nutrients fill in the gaps of a bodybuilder’s notoriously high carb and protein diet.

Super broccoli

At dinnertime, you really can’t go wrong with broccoli. It’s tasty, easy to prepare and can add colour and texture to almost all dishes. You can eat the stalks and florets raw or cooked and broccoli can fuel bodybuilders, or help those on a calorie-controlled diet to lose weight. Best of all, broccoli is packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that will help you lead a long and healthy life. The ultimate superfood? It could well be.