Tomatoes
Thought to have originated from South America, tomatoes were brought by Spanish explorers to Europe in the 1500’s.
Most notable for their high levels of the powerful antioxidant lycopene, the best way to unlock the the benefits of this heart-helping and cancer-fighting phytonutrient is to cook tomatoes and enjoy with healthy fat to aid absorption.
Glycemic Index=15
Glycemic Load=1
Antioxidant Score (ORAC)=546 and 406
*Tomatoes, plum (546) and tomatoes, cooked (406)
The Benefits
- Special diets: Gluten-Free Diet, Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Diet, Grain-Free Diet, High Protein Diet, Low FODMAP Diet, Low Starch Diet, Paleo Diet (Light), Paleo Diet (Strict), Pescetarian Diet, Primal Diet, Vegetarian Diet, Whole Food
- Excellent Source of: VitaminA, VitaminC
- Good Source of: VitaminK
- Preferences: No Coconut, No Molds, No Citrus, No Pseudograins, No Fish, No Red Meat, No Pork, No Eggs, No Shellfish, No Gluten, No Nuts, No Soy, No Dairy, No Poultry, No Seeds, No Legumes, No Yeast, No Peanuts, No Grains, No Corn, Low Carbohydrate, Low Cholesterol, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Sugars, Low Saturated Fat
Related Foods
Related Nutrients
Selecting and Storing
Choose firm, well-shaped tomatoes that are fragrant and richly colored (for their variety). They should be free from blemishes, heavy for their size and give slightly to pressure. Ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature and used within a few days, as cold temperatures make the flesh pithy.
