Figgin’ Delicious. Why I Love Figs and You Should Too
Move over apples and pumpkins, figs are a late-summer/early-fall fruit you should be adding to your food list. Figs are a fruit that I hadn’t tried until a few years ago and since then, I buy them any time I see them! They’re great in salads, on toast, on top of yogurt and smoothies, and more! Let’s talk about the benefits of figs and then I'll give you a couple of recipes to inspire you to try them
Figs have a mild taste that’s somewhat sweet but not overpowering. They are relatively low in calories and carbs (40g of figs yields 30 calories and 8g of carbs), making them an excellent topping or add-on for flavor and texture.
Figs are Relatively High in Copper and B6: Before you start thinking about pennies, copper is a mineral that we need to function. It plays a role in metabolism and producing energy as well as forming connective tissues and neurotransmitters. B6 is an essential vitamin for brain health, supporting energy levels, and carrying oxygen around the body. Before you pop a B vitamin pills, let’s try some figs!
Fiber: Fiber helps us stay fuller longer and aids in digestion. It also serves as a pre-biotic, which means that it feeds the bacteria in your gut. Remember the saying, “Trust your gut,”? Research has shown that when our gut bacteria is out of wack, we can experience increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. By supporting the bacteria in our gut, we are supporting our mental health.
Recipe Suggestions: What we’re really here for: how to eat these delicious fruits! I’m giving you two breakfast ideas and then one delicious salad. Let’s dig in!
Figgin’ Delicious Toast:
2 slices of sourdough bread
32 g almond or peanut butter (almond just lends a bit more to the flavor of the figs)
50g fresh figs, sliced
10g hemp hearts
Directions: toast bread to your liking, slather on that almond butter, slice the figs and put them on top of your toast, sprinkle with hemp hearts for a little more protein and some Omega-3 fatty acids. Enjoy!
Protein Breakfast Bowl:
170g Greek Yogurt, plain or vanilla flavored (I opted for 2% fat, you may choose non-fat if you’d like)
50g figs
15g granola (I LOVE Purely Elizabeth granola)
3 Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Mini Muffins
Directions: Place yogurt in a bowl, cut up mini muffins, and put them on top of your yogurt, then top with sliced figs and granola, maybe 5-10g of honey or maple syrup to fully get the fall flavor and enjoy!
Figgin Amazing Salad:
4-5 oz chicken breast, baked or grilled
60g fresh figs
28g goat or feta cheese
150g garbanzo beans
Pickled red onion
100g raw or roasted broccoli
Leafy greens of choice
Tahini Dressing:
15g tahini
5g maple syrup
8g white vinegar
5g Dijon mustard
Salt to taste
Directions: Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl and thin out with water before setting aside. In a separate bowl, throw down a generous handful or two of leafy greens, slice chicken, and add in the remaining ingredients. Top with dressing and enjoy!