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SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Popeye Knew D
id you know that spinach consumption increased by nearly 35 percent in the United States after Popeye made his cartoon debut in 1929? Spinach is a superfood that packs a powerful nutritional punch to your diet. It is one of the most popular green, leafy vegetables in the world due to its rich source of vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. Although Popeye’s canned spinach isn’t the healthiest option due to its high sodium content (310 mg for just a half cup), it still provides ample vitamins and nutrients. Ideally, your best choice is frozen spinach. One cup of frozen spinach has more than four times the amount of nutrients, such as fiber, folate, iron, and calcium, than a cup of fresh spinach. According to the USDA, almost 90% of the U.S. population does not meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables. As part of an overall healthy diet, consuming a variety of vegetables and fruits may reduce heart disease risk, including heart attack and stroke, and protect against certain types of cancer.
