Fennel in your Diet

Including fennel in their diet is ideal for people trying to lose weight as it is filling yet low in calories. 1 cup serving has only 25 calories . Fennel like celery is a member of the parsley family. Its stalks are often mistaken for celery but has a distinctively different licorice like flavour and is much more nutritious.It is a good source of potassium, fiber, some vitamin C, folate, iron and calcium. Its leaves are also a good source of beta carotene and vitamin C.

Benefits of Fennel:

Through the ages physicians have prescribed fennel for a variety of ailments. It has been used to -

• aid digestion and prevent bad breath.
• stimulate milk production in nursing mothers.
• treat kidney stones.
• treat gout, liver and lung disorders
• its seeds are prescribed to treat obesity.
• fennel seeds are used to make a refresing cuppa tea that alleviates bloating and flatulence.

Ways to include Fennel in your diet:

• Try baking fish in a bed of fennel stalks as its licorice flavour goes well with fish.
• As all parts of fennel are edible, include them in raw salads.
• They can be braised or sauteed as a side dish.
• Stuffing the bulbs is another favorite recipe.
• Its chopped leaves make a colourful and nuritious garnish for other vegetable dishes.