Do You Know Your Superfoods?

Many of us tend to eat what we know and what we can pronounce and prepare. To help steer your cart in a new direction, try incorporating these healthful foods that you probably aren't eating—but should be—into your diet. --Julie Deardorff
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One of the first vegetables to come to the farmers market&#8212;and your yard&#8212;in the spring, dandelion greens are low in calories and high in fiber. But a serving (1 cup) of these dark, leafy greens also has more vitamin A than a cup of cantaloupe and more calcium than spinach, said dietitian Jodi Greebel, president of Citrition, a nutritional counseling practice in New York City. They're also high in iron, other vitamins (including vitamin C), potassium and folate.<br> <br> <em class="leadin">Try them:</em> They're somewhat bitter so you might not want to toss them in salads. Instead, try cooking them with something sweet&#8212;say a chicken or pasta dish with tomatoes&#8212;or adding nuts and dried fruit, Greebel said. Or saute with garlic and pepper.

Dandelion greens

(Tribune photo by Bob Fila)

One of the first vegetables to come to the farmers market—and your yard—in the spring, dandelion greens are low in calories and high in fiber. But a serving (1 cup) of these dark, leafy greens also has more vitamin A than a cup of cantaloupe and more calcium than spinach, said dietitian Jodi Greebel, president of Citrition, a nutritional counseling practice in New York City. They're also high in iron, other vitamins (including vitamin C), potassium and folate.

Try them: They're somewhat bitter so you might not want to toss them in salads. Instead, try cooking them with something sweet—say a chicken or pasta dish with tomatoes—or adding nuts and dried fruit, Greebel said. Or saute with garlic and pepper.