SuperFood: Okra

SuperFood: Okra

Rich in folate - a vital B vitamin for optimal pregnancy - as well as vitamin C, okra is a powerful superfood to add to your prenatal diet.

These unusual looking green pods are fat- and cholesterol-free nutritional powerhouses. They’re rich in both healthy cholesterol-friendly soluble fibre and insoluble fibre that encourages a healthy digestive tract. And they’re packed with vitamins. Okra has been prized for its medicinal and culinary properties throughout the ages. It’s especially relevant in a prenatal diet because it contains nearly 10 per cent of the recommended daily intake of folic acid. Adequate consumption of folic acid protects fetuses from developing neural tube defects in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore, okra is rich in vitamins A, B6 and C, and contains essential minerals.

When selecting okra, pick firm, smaller pods as they will be tender. Look for bright colour and an unblemished surface. Refrigerate them unwashed in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag for up to three days. Or blanch, and then freeze them. Toss whole okra into stews and curries. Alternatively, grill them over high heat over a short period of time, or quickly blanch them in salted water, before you add them to a braised dish. They’re equally delicious when stir-fried or steamed.

Organic okra is available at SuperNature Forum and through our eShop.

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