Health experts are crazy for the
benefits of a fruit known as
chokeberries. The only problem, besides
the name, which makes you think you might
choke on them, is that they're seriously
sour. But don't worry! We found some great
recipes to take the pucker out of these
suckers. It's on the Breakdown. Time to
eat healthy with aronia berries – also
known as chokeberries because of their
super tart taste. Nutritional biochemist
Dr. Shawn Talbott explains. "Aronia
berries are really good for us because
they're so chock-full of antioxidants.
If we say something's an
antioxidant, it's gonna protect you from
oxidation. And so things that can oxidize
us are high-sugar diets, breathing air
pollution, being exposed to sunlight. in
addition to protecting your body with
antioxidants, they can help you lower
your inflammation and your pain." Thanks, doc!
To get this sour berry in our system,
we turned to intuitive cooking expert
Melanie Albert for a menu that masks that
bold taste. We're starting with a chockberry smoothie bowl. "How do we make it?"
"Well, we always start with coconut water
because it's high in potassium." Followed by
hemp seeds and chia seeds, which are high
in protein. Then banana and dates for
natural sweetness. "Alright, so this is
gonna be our sweet to help combat the
chokeberry." And in goes
the chokeberries followed by chokeberry
powder that really packs a punch. "When we dehydrate and dry fruit like
this, it gets really, really powerful."
Garnish and serve. "That's really good!"
Our next berry bite is a green salad
with chokeberry dressing. "Melanie,
chokeberry flavor can be pretty intense."
"So what I decided to do is make a salad
dressing with it." Melanie pre-made the
dressing by whisking together olive oil,
raw honey, mustard, garlic, salt and
mashed-up chokeberries. "This is really
good! Like, I can't wait to put
this on our salad." Plate, garnish and
serve. "Melanie, come to me – these are delicious!"
Last but not least – the chokeberry
lemonade pops. "First we're gonna make the
lemonade." Blend apples, dates, lemon juice,
coconut water, and the most important part –
the chokeberry power." "Yes, our antioxidant
hit!" In goes edible flowers for looks,
the lemonade, then pop it in the freezer
for six hours, and voila. "This is tasty!" For full recipes,
head to thelisttv.com.
Here's to getting our nutrients in yummy
ways with chokeberries on the Breakdown.
