Fresh Spring Foods To Incorporate in Your Dining Plans

Daylight savings is here and with this increase in daily sunlight, we’re feeling ready to spruce up our spring dining habits with spring foods. While we still love a tasty bowl of soup on a chilly evening, we’re ready for fresh and light ingredients that taste just as good as they look.

Take a look at these fresh spring foods you can incorporate in your dining plans!

Asparagus

For some people, asparagus is one of those vegetables that you either love or hate. We happen to think you should be loving it because it is oh, so good for you. Did you know that one cup of cooked asparagus has 40 calories, four grams of protein, four grams of fiber and 404 milligrams of potassium?

There are tons of benefits to this lean, green vitamin-packed machine! Potassium can help regulate blood pressure and improve blood flow. If you are monitoring your blood sugar, asparagus has a trace amount of chromium which enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.

Some other asparagus benefits include:

• The number of antioxidants can reduce inflammation and slow down the visible effects of aging.
• Your brain will feel more alert and active with the folate delivering properties when eaten in conjunction with other B-12 rich ingredients.

Beets

Beets, bears, and benefits? You heard us right. Beets are the powerful little root that can help protect your body and boost key nutrients. Low in calories but high in vitamins, beets contain almost all of the vitamins and minerals that you need. Check out what one serving of cooked beetroot contains:

• Protein: 1.7 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Vitamin C: 6% of the RDI*
• Folate: 20% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 6% of the RDI
• Potassium: 9% of the RDI
• Manganese: 16% of the RDI
• Iron: 4% of the RDI

*Recommended Daily Intake

Mint

Most of us enjoy a stick of mint-flavored gum to mask bad breath. But did you know eating natural mint can do the same thing? Mint, though not typically eaten alone but rather prepared with other dishes or beverages, has quite a few health benefits.

When ingested in leaf form, mint is a great source of vitamin A, which is important for eye health which increases night vision. Mint is also a particularly large source of antioxidants that can help protect your body from cell damage.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb can be used in more than just pie. Because of its sour taste when raw, it is often prepared and cooked in sugar to balance the flavor.

While it is not as nutrient-rich as other fruits and veggies, rhubarb is a great source of vitamin K1 and provides around 26–37% of the daily recommended value in one serving. It is also high in fiber. Since you have to prepare rhubarb anyway, you might as well make a pie.

Strawberry

Strawberries are the perfect sweet treat that also do the body good. High in antioxidants, these red berries are part of the fruits and veggies which can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Strawberries are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber. Like all good things, consume in moderation as the sugar content in one serving can lead to some complications and weight gain even though you didn’t intend it to be the case.

Spring is right around the corner at Kevin’s and we cannot be more ready! We hope this list of fresh fruits and vegetables has you ready for warmer and sweeter days ahead.

While the final weeks of winter pass us, let Kevin’s handle your dining needs!

Grab a seat at Kevin’s for our spring foods! Online reservations for same-day dinner service must be received before 4 p.m. In order to book a reservation after 4 p.m. for the same day, please call us at 570-285-3071.

We look forward to serving you at all of our fine establishments:
The Beaumont Inn;
The River Street Jazz Cafe;
Grico’s;
Kevin’s;
Cork Bar & Restaurant;
Le Manhattan Bistro
Fire and Ice