Published By: Puja Sinha

Raisins in Diet: A Superfood

Let’s look into the underrates goodness of raisins

Raisins, dried grapes, not only make for a convenient and delish snack but also offer numerous health benefits:

Rich in Nutrients: Raisins are packed with essential nutrients, including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Digestive Health: Rich in dietary fibre, raisins help to regulate digestion, prevent constipation, and promote overall gut health.

Boosts Energy: The natural sugars in raisins, such as fructose and glucose, provide a quick energy boost, making them an excellent snack for athletes and active individuals.

Supports Bone Health: Raisins contain calcium and boron, which are vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones.

Heart Health: The potassium and magnesium content in raisins lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, and maintains heart health.

Rich in Antioxidants: Raisins are high in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help to combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Improves Iron Levels: Rich in iron, raisins are beneficial for preventing and treating iron-deficiency anaemia.

Weight Management: The fibre and natural sugars in raisins curb cravings and binge-eating, which helps with weight management.

Raisins in Salad

Trust raisins to notch up the health quotient of salads. You would require a simple ensemble of ingredients to prepare this bowl of salad:

Shredded carrots

Raisins

Chopped fresh parsley

Lemon juice

Olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine raisins with crunchy elements like nuts, seeds, or crisp vegetables to add interesting textures to your salad. Now, combine shredded carrots, raisins, and chopped parsley. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the carrot mixture and toss to coat evenly. You are all ready to serve!

Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins

Oatmeal is a nutrient-rich breakfast option that offers numerous health benefits. It is high in soluble fibre, particularly beta-glucan, which helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Now you can sprinkle raisins as you prepare your oatmeal cookies and munch whenever you feel snack-ish. To jazz up the taste, try different nuts and chocolate chips.

Raisin Trail Mix

One uber cool way to have your daily portion of raisins is by making a trail mix with raisins, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate chips or coconut flakes for flavour.  In a large bowl, combine raisins with your choice of nuts and seeds. Aim for a balanced mix of different textures and taste. To sizzle it up, add some dried fruits like cranberries or apricots to add tanginess and more natural sweetness to the mix. Stir all ingredients together until well combined. Check if the raisins are evenly distributed throughout the mix. The trail mix is all good to be canned or eaten impromptu.

Raisin in your Smoothie

Add a handful of raisins to just about any smoothie to enhance its taste. Start by soaking the raisins in water for about 10-15 minutes to soften them. Gather all your ingredients: ripe banana, frozen berries, spinach or kale, and optional chia seeds or flaxseeds. In a blender, combine the soaked raisins, banana, frozen berries, spinach or kale, and chia seeds or flaxseeds (if using). Pour water and blend till it reaches a consistency. Enjoy pre or post-workout or in-between meals!

A Layer of Raisins in Sandwich

Rains introduce a delightful sweetness and chewy texture to complement the taste of the sandwich. Add raisins along with diced celery, onions, and a dash of curry powder. Alternatively, you may sprinkle some over the cheesy layer before grilling the sandwich. Raisins are also a yum option for avocado on a tortilla wrap or bread slices. Make sure to adjust the amount of raisins based on your preference for sweetness.