Looking for a sweet treat that’s satisfying, full of nutrition and low in calories? Follow the ancient low-glycemic remedy for a sweet tooth: the fig.
The Buddha attained enlightenment and discovered the path to ending suffering while sitting under the Bodhi tree, a type of fig tree. A very sweet enlightenment, indeed! To this day, figs can help lessen the suffering in your life through their nutrition, combating cancer, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
Figs are deceptively sweet: despite their luscious flavor, they are actually low in calories and fat. One large fig has only 47 calories and 0.2g of fat, less than apples, dried dates or bananas.
Figs are a good source of nutrition, including vitamins B6, K and E. Dried figs support bone health, lower blood pressure, and are high in fiber. They are also rich in iron, which supports brain and muscle function and combats fatigue.
Fresh figs are very rich in the trace minerals manganese and potassium. Manganese is needed for the functioning of healthy bones and the absorption of protein, carbohydrates and cholesterol. Potassium is important for regulating heartbeat, blood pressure and fluid balance in the body.
Few foods are as rich in dietary fiber as figs. Fiber may reduce your risk of developing heart disease, lower blood cholesterol levels and aid in weight management. Fiber is important for an anti-cancer diet and preventative against type 2 diabetes.
We at Urban Remedy consider figs to be one of nature’s healthiest and most nutritional forms of indulgence.
Fun fact: While considered a fruit, the fig is actually an inverted flower!
Tip: Use fig puree as a low-glycemic sugar and fat substitute. Replace up to half the fat in a recipe with fig puree and reduce or eliminate the sugar called for.
Please post your recipes that use figs or fig puree on our blog or Facebook page. We’d love to see what you create!
LOVE this article! We have a fig tree that’s gotten taller than our ranch-style house. It does fruit, but not as much as I think it should. I remember when I was a kid growing up in a mostly Italian neighborhood, their fig trees always had concrete walls built around their roots. I don’t know if the concrete had a bottom as well. We didn’t do that, and I think that’s why it’s gotten so huge. Does anyone know what we should do? Should we prune heavily this spring? Help!! LOL.