How to cook

Why should red beets have all the fun? Go for the gold with this lighter-colored variety — bursting with benefits beyond

adding color to your salad.

Gold beets are rich in phytonutrients called betalains. These contain both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

properties, which may help:

Just beet it

3 ways to eat beets

1. Cut off green tops2. Wrap washed beets in foil3. Roast in oven at 400° F until tender*4. Peel off skin5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon zest6. Serve with chicken or fish

Try these simple methods for whipping up a tasty, beet-focused meal:

As a side

Promote a strongimmune system

Reduce heart disease risk

gold beets

Beets for breakfast?

Yep! Juiced beets add color and extra nutrients to your morning juice or smoothie.

(Quick trick: Serve raw for more crunch.)

* Depending on size, roast for 25 to 60

minutes — or steam for 15 to 30 minutes.

1. Cut off green tops 2. Roast or steam washed beets*3. Refrigerate until cold4. Slice and serve in salad5. Draw out flavor by adding feta and walnuts

1. Cut off green tops 2. Wash the greens thoroughly3. Sauté in olive oil and garlic4. Serve with beans, fish, poultry or meat

As your greens

© 2015 Sharp HealthCare. All rights reserved.www.sharp.com/news

From the expert

“Honestly, beets were never a food that I loved, but I’ve recently grown to really like them, especially in salads. And of course, I love that they boost my health, too.” — Ursula Ridens, RD, outpatient dietitian at Sharp HealthCare