You might be surprised to learn that the tomato on your kitchen counter is a low-calorie package chock-full of nutrients. To reap the benefits, you can incorporate tomatoes into your diet in a number of ways, such as fresh, dried or as sauce, salsa, or paste.
Try adding fresh tomatoes to omelets and salads, or serve them sliced, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, and garnished with fresh basil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Dress steamed veggies with sun-dried tomato pesto, or toss spaghetti squash or beans with tomato sauce. Add salsa to scrambled eggs or taco salad, or spoon onto cooked fish, black beans, or brown rice. Tomato paste adds rich texture and flavor to veggie chili, or you can mix it into hummus, with roasted garlic and harissa.
The good news? Tomatoes aren’t just tasty, they’re healthy too.
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins.
A single tomato can provide about 40% of the daily recommended minimum of vitamin C. What’s more, tomatoes supply vitamin A, which supports immunity, vision, and skin health, and vitamin K, which is good for your bones. Tomatoes also provide potassium, a key nutrient for heart function, muscle contractions, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and fluid balance.