What we put into our bodies is paramount to our health, our quality of life and our resilience against disease. Plenty of nutrients that bolster our biological systems can be found in certain fruits and veggies—many of which Lakehouse residents can access right outside their door at the Urban Farm. Here are four powerful superfood vegetables that will improve your health and immunity, all growing at Lakehouse’s Urban Farm from spring through fall.
Beets
Rich in nitrates, beetroot is a vegetable that reduces high blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. The vegetable is also known to fight inflammation and aid in digestion, helping with weight loss and improving athletic performance. Lucky for Lakehouse residents, beets are flourishing in the Urban Farm and are ready to be sliced for salads, sauteed, baked or pickled.
Okra
An excellent source of vitamins C and K1, okra is a stringy fruit that’s cooked like a vegetable. With compounds that support immunity, okra is low in calories and carbs, and rich in protein and fiber. Okra is also a diuretic that helps control blood sugar and promote gut health, so don’t hesitate to get some from Lakehouse’s Urban Farm to roast or soak into a tonic.
Kale
A popular and well-known superfood, kale is ultra nutrient-dense and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The vegetable is a potent cocktail of fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C and K, iron, and many other compounds. Kale helps with detoxification, lowering cholesterol, improving brain health and fighting cancer. A beloved staple of our Urban Farm, kale is great in salad, as a juice or even roasted as chips.
Poblano Peppers
This vegetable has similar health benefits to most of the aforementioned entries, such as antioxidants, anticarcinogenic compounds, diuretic capabilities and more—but it’s the only one rich in capsaicin, which aids with weight loss in addition to reducing inflammation and fighting disease. It’s also replete with vitamin B, which is beneficial in preventing eye conditions like keratoconus, cataracts and glaucoma.