Top 5 Reasons to Try Eggplant Today

Eggplant is delicious, nutritious, and good for the environment. Here are five reasons why you should try adding it to your diet.

Eggplant is low in calories and full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber. Research suggests eggplant may help regulate blood sugar levels and control appetite, making it a great choice for managing diabetes. Eggplants can be as sweet as apples—with no added sugar. You can bake or grill them or cook them in your slow cooker with other seasonal produce for a delicious side dish. And they are colorful—eggplant varieties come in purple, white, green and even striped skin, so you will find endless ways to add them to your diet.

Related: Does Eggplant Have Protein

Top 5 Reasons to Try Eggplant Today

Eggplant is the fruit of a plant cultivated for over 5,000 years. It is one of the most popular vegetables globally with over 700 varieties. It has a unique taste, texture, and appearance, making it versatile in many different recipes.

Trying eggplant as part of your regular diet can provide you with many health benefits. The following are just five reasons to try this food today.

Eggplants Are Nutritious

Eggplants may be small, but they are incredibly nutritious! They are a good source of fiber and manganese, contain antioxidants and vitamins A, B and C, and have low calories. They also help to lower blood sugar levels and reduce bad cholesterol. Learn here how eggplant fits into a healthy lifestyle and diet, as well as eggplant nutritional value.

Eggplants Are Easy to Grow

Eggplants are easy to grow in most climates and don’t require much attention. If you have access to a kitchen window or a greenhouse, you can quickly grow eggplant plants at home. They will thrive in full sun and grow in partial sun or even indoors if you have enough room for them to stretch out their vines. You can also purchase young plants at garden supply stores to start your eggplant garden within minutes.

It’s Delicious

Eggplants are versatile and chameleon-like in their ability to take on flavors. The most common way to enjoy eggplant is as a vegetarian main course or side dish. Eggplants have a firm texture and mild flavor that won’t overpower other ingredients. They are often roasted, grilled or sauteed and served with pasta, rice or potatoes.

It’s Cheap and Readily Available

Eggplants are one of the less expensive vegetables, costing approximately $1 per pound. They’re available year-round in most regions, but they are peak from late summer through early fall. In season, eggplants can be found for as little as 30 cents per pound at your local farmers market or grocery store.

You can enjoy it in many different ways

Eggplant is versatile, so that you can enjoy it in many different ways. You can grill it, bake it or even bread and fry it if you’d like! It works great in casseroles and lasagnas too. The possibilities are endless!

Summary

Overall, the environmentally-friendly properties of eggplant make it a worthy candidate for farmers to consider more. It is discreet, versatile, and surprisingly tasty. In addition, many Americans do not eat eggplant because they are unaware of its potential health benefits.  Hopefully, this article will raise awareness and help encourage interested parties to learn more about eggplants’ many uses as a sustainable food crop.