The Ultimate Guide to Brussel Sprouts - Slender Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why are brussel sprouts not allowed on Optavia? ›

NOTE: All vegetables promote healthful eating. But on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan, we eliminate the highest-carbohydrate vegetables (such as carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, onions, edamame and Brussels sprouts) to enhance your results.

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

Is it ok to eat Brussels sprouts every day? Yes, if eaten in moderation, they are safe to eat every day. However, any dietary changes should be checked with a doctor. Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants and help to reduce oxidative stress in your cells.

Cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables are fine to eat raw for most people. Some folks, however, experience gas and bloating from difficult-to-digest sugars found in raw cruciferous vegetables. These sugars become easier to digest once cooked.

However, if you are on Optavia 5&1, brussels sprouts are not approved. Never fear however- you can substitute zucchini for the sprouts very easily in this case. Just skip the microwave step and go right to the oven. To access more deliciously easy low carb recipes, join the recipe club for weekly inspiration!

Brussels sprouts are spoiled if they are soft to the touch or squishy, smell like old cabbage, or they start to rot or go moldy. In other words, look for the same spoilage signs you look for in other vegetables.

May reduce inflammation

A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts may reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of pro-inflammatory diseases. Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants and contain compounds that may help decrease inflammation.

Spinach is one of the healthiest foods on the planet, it is packed with energy whilst low in calories. It is also a great source of Vitamins A, K, and essential folate.

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) have a very unique compound of phytonutrients that can help decrease stomach fat.

Do brussel sprouts burn belly fat? ›

Brussel sprouts are considered a natural weight loss food because they are high in fibre and protein and low in fat and calories. The perfect vegetable to shed tummy fat, Brussel sprouts also hold other health benefits for your nutrition.

You could also overdo it on the fiber if you eat too many Brussels sprouts. Symptoms of too much fiber in your diet include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and more unfortunate digestive side effects.

Boil Them First

Roasting is a popular way to cook this veggie, but cooking Brussels sprouts in water before roasting them can help reduce their gassiness. "To help break down the fibers that often cause gas, boil your Brussels sprouts first," says Christa Brown, RDN, a dietitian and recipe creator.

Eating raw cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. "Certain people cannot eat them because they contain sugars that are superhard to digest," says Mashru. "The reason we cook cruciferous vegetables is because the process makes those sugars much more digestible."

Since optavia fuelings are meant for weight loss and healthier lifestyle, you may create your own plan of optavia diet by DIY optavia fuelings. This way you'll avoid spending too much money as well as have a personal diet plan.

The Optavia diet is designed to help people lose weight and fat by reducing calories and carbs through portion-controlled meals and snacks. The 5&1 plan limits calories to 800–1,000 per day, divided among 6 portioned-controlled meals.

If you notice you haven't lost any weight within a two-week period: Make sure you're following your plan exactly, not skipping Fuelings, sticking to your Lean & Green meal guidelines, and weighing and measuring your portions carefully. Make sure you are drinking water. We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water each day.

Also, older, sedentary adults and people who exercise more than 45 minutes a day should avoid the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan, according to the company, and people with serious illnesses like cancer, liver disease, kidney disease or an eating disorder shouldn't follow any plan unless their health care provider has ...

If you're hungry, have an extra Fueling or a couple additional ounces of lean protein (e.g., 1 hard boiled egg, 30-45 grams reduced-fat cheese stick, etc.). It's better to have an extra Fueling than to go off your program entirely.

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Bacon on Optavia? Yes, you can have bacon on Optavia if you follow the guidelines in this easy to make Lean and Green recipe.

Which is healthier cabbage or brussel sprouts? ›

There are also nutritional differences - cabbage has fewer calories than Brussels sprouts, but also fewer nutrients, with sprouts containing higher concentrations of vitamins A and C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

Brussels sprouts may be one of the most polarizing vegetables, but, when it comes to bodybuilding, they are one of the best. Brussels sports are rich in vitamins K, B, and C, and are loaded with minerals like manganese, folate and copper. Brussels also contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which have a host of health benefits.

The bottom line

The most common side effect of eating raw Brussels sprouts is that they may cause gas in some people. Also, those who have hypothyroidism may want to avoid them in large amounts due to their potential iodine-inhibiting compounds.

How do I prepare brussel sprouts? To prepare brussel sprouts, you should rinse them well or even soak them if you have enough time. Trim the bottoms and outer leaves off, then cut them in half to prep them for roasting.

Brussels sprout provides more iron, potassium, Vitamin B1, Vitamin K, fiber, and copper than broccoli. It is also lower in sodium.

The Mayo Clinic spent more than a decade studying the effects of antioxidant-rich cruciferous vegetables in preventing arthritis. Their findings suggest that eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy lower your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and cauliflower) offer another benefit – a natural compound called sulforaphane. Research on mice shows sulforaphane blocks the inflammatory process and might slow cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (OA).

Eating only one food probably won't do any harm in the short term. However, there is no known food that supplies all the needs of human adults on a long-term basis.

Experts suggest that there are certain foods that people should eat every day. These include lean protein and a variety of vegetables. Additionally, including foods such as olive oil, nuts, and berries can help people lower their risk of certain chronic conditions.

What 3 foods can you survive on? ›

Packed with immunity-boosting vitamin C and cancer-fighting glucosinolates, Brussels sprouts are among the most powerful cold-weather superfoods.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts may help increase the liver's natural detoxification enzymes, protect it from damage, and improve blood levels of liver enzymes.

Cruciferous vegetables

Brussels sprouts are rich in coumestrol, another type of phytonutrient that has been found to exhibit estrogenic activity ( 33 ). Cruciferous vegetables are rich in phytoestrogens, including lignans and coumestrol.

Brussels sprouts are full of fiber, hearty and perfect in the cold winter months. Even better, a diet rich in fiber-filled veggies like Brussels can help prevent colon cancer.

Detox Benefits of Brussels Sprouts

This cruciferous vegetable is arguably one of the greatest detoxifiers known. Brussels sprouts help to handcuff toxins, escorting them out of the body.

1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories ( 1 ).

According to nutritionist Carolyn Brown, cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts and broccoli are rich in folate, which encourages cell division: “If you have weak, thinning, or brittle hair, it can be a sign of low folate levels.” Thus, for healthier hair growth, reach for an extra helping of these veggies.

Answer: No, you don't need to forgo roasted veggies because of high heat. The fact is that all forms of cooking can destroy some of the nutrients (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) in vegetables.

Tip for digestion :

Blanch Brussels sprouts in boiling, salted water for 5 minutes before cooking. This makes them easier to digest. You can also freeze them after blanching. This will preserve their flavour and health benefits.

How do you prevent gas after eating sprouts? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables that belong to the cabbage family such as cauliflower, Brussels, broccoli, and sprouts should never be consumed raw. These vegetables contain sugar that is difficult to digest. Eating these vegetables raw may lead to a number of gastronomical problems.

But there are many vegetables that are starchy in nature, such as corns, potatoes, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and water chestnuts. You should never mix them with high protein fruits and vegetables such as raisins, guava, spinach and broccoli.

On the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan, we eliminate the highest-carbohydrate vegetables (such as carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, onions, edamame and Brussels sprouts) to enhance your results. Once you've achieved your healthy weight, we encourage you to include ALL vegetables for long-term health.

Yes, brussels sprouts are perfect for a ketogenic lifestyle! Along with other cruciferous veggies like kale and cauliflower, you can enjoy brussels sprouts often on a keto diet.

These vegetables are lowest in carbs and the best option for your veggie intake: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, jicama, mushrooms, peppers, spaghetti squash, spinach & zucchini.

Brussels sprouts stabilize blood sugar levels, reducing your risk for diabetes. The soluble fiber in Brussels sprouts can also regulate blood sugar.

Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can promote regularity, support digestive health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

What vegetables should you stay away from on a keto diet? ›

Starchy vegetables contain more digestible carbohydrates than fiber and should be limited on the ketogenic diet. These include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and beets.

Low-Fat Dairy, Fresh Fruit, and Whole Grains

When you reach your ideal weight, the Optavia Diet allows you to add servings of fruit, dairy, and grains, such as: Cottage cheese. Greek yogurt. Apples, bananas, berries, etc.

Browse our selection of amazing OPTAVIA Cabbage recipes that are sure to keep you on plan and reaching your weight loss goals! We've compiled some of the best lean and green Cabbage recipes we could find and put them with some other great OPTAVIA Cabbage recipes all in one easy to find place!

"The weight loss plan is very low in calories, about 800-1,000 calories, which claims you can lose 12 pounds in 12 weeks," says Ehsani. Most people need between 1,800-2,200 calories a day, she adds.

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is 12 pounds (5.4 kg). Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks. OPTAVIA recommends that you contact your doctor before starting a weight-loss program.