Tao Belly: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are definitely a super-food and an ingredient I use very often in my cooking. Ironically I went years without eating tomatoes but now I can't imagine life without them.

Tomatoes come in many varieties including the standard round red tomato we see most often in shops, roma red, red cherry tomatoes, yellow and orange cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes which can come in colours ranging from green through to red, and many others.

The tomato really is a nutrient powerhouse. Actually a fruit, but used more often as a vegetable, the tomato belongs to the nightshade family and is native to Central America.

So, here is a rundown on the health properties of this humble fruit:

low calorie
low fat
zero cholesterol
high in antioxidants
high in dietary fibre
considered an anti-cancer food, especially for prostate, breast, colon and skin cancers
contain the flavanoid lycopene which helps protect cells and prevent cancers. This flavanoid is found in highest concentration in the red varieties and is more available to the body when the tomatoes are cooked.
high in vitamin A
have been show to assist eye health
high in vitamin C which can provide protection against infection
high in potassium
low in sodium
moderate levels of B vitamins
eating tomatoes can help prevent heart disease

So, with all these benefits to our health, it makes sense to use tomatoes in our cooking. Choose either good quality fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes. Because lycopene is more readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes, using the canned variety doesn't mean a lesser benefit. Where possible, and when budget allows, choose organic in both fresh and tinned.