~Powerful POMS~

Today we are talking about one of my favorite winter fruits: pomegranates. Yes, they are bulky and actually pretty ugly on the outside. However, you must not judge a fruit by it’s dirty and ugly cover! Once you cut into a pomegranate, you will understand. They are bright red in color and bursting with fresh juice and seeds, which is why they’re sometimes called the “jeweled fruit of winter”.

Once you cut open a pomegranate all you have to do is pull out the seeds (yes, it is annoying and messy, but definitely worth it!)

Pomegranates are packed with nutrients, which is why they’re referred to as a superfruit. Pomegranate seeds are the edible part of the fruit and contain 11g of fiber per 1 cup serving. They also contain high levels of vitamin C, which help keep our skin smooth and wrinkle free! Most importantly, they're packed with antioxidants and actually contain higher levels of antioxidants than those of blueberries, cranberries and even red wine or green tea. This powerful fruit may also play a role in reducing heart disease, cancer, as well as other illness through its antioxidant power. Simply stated, this is one fruit you definitely want to include in your diet!

Purchasing Tip: When buying pomegranates, choose those that are heavy and without splits on its skin (heavier= juicier!).

OK, so now that you understand why pomegranates are so important to eat, lets discuss ways in which we can include them in our diet:

-Eat the seeds plain!
-Toss into yogurt or salads
-Use in desserts
-Incorporate into dressings and marinades

Here’s an example of how I get my daily dose of pomegranate seeds:

Yogurt with Pomegranate and Granola
I use a good fat-free yogurt (I love Stonyfield fat-free French Vanilla) and toss in some pomegranate seeds and a little granola for extra crunch. It tastes amazing and will definitely leave you feeling satisfied!