Green Peas: Sweet, Sustainable & So Healthy
We often think of green peas as a last-minute addition to stews, rice dishes, and warm salads. So, you may be surprised to hear that the green pea is one of the most sustainable food crops offering many health benefits. This member of the legume family contains essential vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin K, vitamin C, and folate. It is also rich in fiber, particularly the varieties that have edible pea pods, such as snow pea, sugar snap pea, and garden peas.
The fiber in peas supports digestive health by adding bulk to the stool and promoting regular bowel movements. The tiny pea is also a good source of iron, which is vital to the oxygen-carrying red blood cells. The antioxidant vitamins in peas help support immunity and protect the body's cells from free radical damage.
As far as the environment is concerned, peas are good for Mother Earth. They are grouped with other vegetables known as "nitrogen fixers." This means they take inert gases from the environment and convert them to useful ammonium, which nourishes the soil. In the right quantities relative to garden or crop size, peas, along with lentils and peanuts, can significantly reduce the need for fossil fuel fertilizers.
While we always advocate for organic, fresh produce, don't overlook frozen peas; they retain their texture and nutrient content better than canned peas and can still be bought organic even if frozen. Overall, for adding color, mildly sweet flavor, and high quality nutrients to any meal, you can't go wrong with green peas.
More shopping and cooking tips for green peas.
Categories
All Categories 20/20/20 rule 2021 acne acupuncture adrenal adrenal health allergy attack almond alzheimers amino acids anti-inflammatory antioxidant antioxidants anxiety apricot apricots arnica aromatherapy artichoke artichokes asparagus b vitamins banana beans beets berberines bilberries black bean black current black mold blackstrap molasses blueberries bone broth bone health boron brain brain health brainwaves bread bromelein brownies bruising bugs burdock root cac calcium california poppy cannabis caraway carbs carrot cake carrots cashews catmint catnip celery change cherries cherry chickpea children chili chinese medicine chlorophyll chocolate cilantro circulation ciruit training clay coconut coenzyme-q10 cognition cold connective support constipation cookies cooking oils coriander coronary covid-19 curry cycling dance dandelion date dementia dental healt dental health dental hygiene depression detox devils claw diet digestive dill eat healthy eating for health eating for heath eatingforhealth edmr eggs electrolytes energize energy enzyme equine therapy essential oils evoo exercise exfoliate extra virgin olive oil eye health eye strain family farro fascial work fasting fathead dough fatigue fats feng shui fenugreek fever feverfew first aid fish fish oil fitness food food supplements foot pain foraging foxglove fruits gallbladder gardening gastric reflex glutenfree glycemic index glycosaminoglycans golden root gotu kola grain-free green curry green goddess dressing green tea guggul gut gut health headaches healing health healthy healthy food healthy lifestyle heart burn heart health herb herbal herbal medicine herbal remedies herbal remedy herbalremedies herbals herbs hibiscus high protein diet himalayan sea salt holistic holy basil homeopathy honey hormones horses hydration hydrotherapy immune system immunity inflammation influenza insomnia internal clock intravenous therapy itching redness iv nutrients iv therapy journal kefir kelp keto kidney kidneys kids l-theanine lavender lecithin legume lemon balm licorice lions mane lipids luck lyme lyme disease magnesium medicinal herb menopause mental health mentalization-based therapy methylation milk thistle mind body minerals mint molasses mold mold toxicity mood morel mud mushroom mushrooms natural health natural medicine natural sugar nature nausea nervous tension neuro therapy neurofeedback new year newsletter nhc best health tips no bake nutrient iv therapy nutrition oatmeal oats omega 3 fatty acids omega-3s oral health oral hygiene oregano organic osteoarthritis outdoor allergies ozone pain pain relief paleo pandemic passionflower peas peppermint persimmon pets phosphatidylcholine phytonutrients picnic food pineapple pink salt pizza plant based plant based diet plant-based plantain portobello mushrooms potassium prebiotic probiotic probiotics prosperity protein protein shake prunes quiche raspberry raspberry leaf read recipe recipes reclaim normalcy rehmannia relax resveratrol rhodiola rye sad sage salad salt screentime seasonal affective disorder seasonal allergies sedative self-awareness shadow journaling skin skin brushing skincare snack bars sole soothing sound therapy soup special edition spinach spirulina stinging nettle stomach pain sugar summer summer food sunshine vitamin superfood supplements sustainable sweet potato tcm tea teenagers tens unit therapy thyme tick tick prevention ticks tofu tostones toxins trace minerals traditional chinese medicine traditional medicine trail mix truffles turkey turmeric vegan vegetables vegetarian vitamin a vitamin c vitamin d vitamin e vitamins vs walnuts wellness whole food vs synthetic yeast