Tart, Juicy, and Delicious- Celebrate National Cranberry Month!

Did you know cranberries are 90% water? Tart but juicy, cranberries are not only vibrant in color, but are bursting with flavor. October is the perfect time to head to a bog and pick some of this yummy fruit in celebration of National Cranberry Month!

Cranberries are in the season this month, in October, and up until December. They are native to North America, and a part of the blueberry and grape family. Although they are well known for their use as a side dish at Thanksgiving dinner, cranberries can be a healthy addition to many meals such as salads, flatbreads, breakfast sandwiches, and more!

Benefits of Cranberries

Cranberries are often considered a superfood due to their abundance of healthy nutrients. They are rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals Manganese and Calcium. Each nutrient possesses various health benefits, check out some of them below:

Packed with Antioxidants- Antioxidants help protect your body from free radicals that can cause diseases. Some antioxidants that are found in cranberries include Quercetin, Myricetin, and a-type proanthocyanidins

Gut Healthy- Cranberries are gut-friendly! They can help feed the good bacteria within your gut helping you maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

Cavity Prevention- Cranberries are excellent for your dental hygiene. The A-type proanthocyanidins help prevent harmful bacteria from forming within your mouth. In addition, they help by controlling harmful acids that can cause oral cancer and cavities.

Heart Healthy- Cranberries are excellent for your heart, they may help lower your LDL cholesterol (aka, bad cholesterol) and help maintain HDL (the good cholesterol), improving your vascular health.

Cranberry Meal Ideas

Who says cranberries are only a side dish? There are a TON of ways you can utilize cranberries every day. Check out some creative meal ideas below!

Cranberries at Breakfast- Toast whole grain bread, or a whole wheat English muffin, top with cream cheese, and smear with a spread of smashed cranberries.

Toss them in a Salad- Cranberries are filled with air, making them burst with flavor when you bite into them, which makes them perfect for salads. Add them in with a mix of greens and your favorite vegetables.

Blend them in a Smoothie- Cranberries do have a tart taste but adding them to a smoothie with other sweeter fruits can make for the perfect combination of flavor.

Make a Cranberry Spread- Often spreads like mayonnaise can be heavy on a sandwich, so why not try cranberries? Add a spread of mashed cranberries to your next turkey sandwich.

Enjoy Them as a Snack- Cranberries can be the perfect snack when eaten just as they are. Try mixing them up with other berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries for the ultimate combination.

Although cranberries are only in season a few months out of the year, they can be frozen for 6- 12 months! You can enjoy this delicious fruit all year long!

Your Turn to Action: How do you like to enjoy cranberries? Let me know in the comments below!