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“Peas” Eat Your Peas

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on December 20, 2013

Written by Jennifer Martin, Dietetic Student at University of Illinois at Chicago

Peas: you love them, or you hate them. You can’t deny that they are good for you, though. They are also great solid foods to introduce to infants. They are easy to puree, and babies can eat them whole once their digestive systems are developed enough.

Mom Justine gave Lucy peas for dinner along with some pumpkin ravioli and roasted butternut squash. This is a meal that can come together quickly and easily!

Peas Nutrition

Peas are good sources of vitamins A, a bunch of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6), C, and K. They are also loaded with minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc.

This all sounds good, but what does it mean?

If you’re feeling fatigued and feel that you need more oomph, your body may be craving B vitamins and iron. B vitamins are important for your metabolism and are good for your energy levels. Iron is important for carrying oxygen around your body and can fight fatigue.

For your heart health, B6, vitamin K, and folic acid are important. Vitamin K, calcium, B6, and folic acid are good for your bones. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can help with increasing your immune system. Zinc and iron are also immunity boosters. Peas are also rich in fiber, which is good for digestion and can help to prevent colon cancer.