Your grocery cart is your vehicle to a healthier diet. But although many groceries and supermarkets these days carry healthier options, the most affordable yet fresh produce can still be found in wet markets. Going vegan and/or cleaning up your diet doesn’t always have to start with a pricey juice cleanse. With just a bit of creativity, the regular amount of money you spend on the food you currently eat will definitely go far.
Now the list below won’t introduce food items unknown to us. In fact, these are fruits and vegetables that we’ve always known existed but have been buried at the back of our memories because–well, we don’t see them stocked in our fridge or pantry often. The upside to it is that these things are nutrient-dense but at the same time, are really inexpensive. Here goes: 1. Jicama (hee-ka-ma)
Better known in the Pinoy market as singkamas, this root vegetable only costs around Php30 for every large bulb. It’s a great source of Vitamin C and carbohydrates. It’s low-calorie, high in fiber, very versatile and so easy to include in your diet. What’s not to love? What I do with it: Pickled Jicama- Peel and slice thinly, place in a covered jar with vinegar. Add a little salt or chili if you prefer. Store in the fridge overnight and serve chilled. Vegetable Slaw- Peel and cut into long thin slices, Saute in garlic and oil together with other vegetables such as carrots and chayote or sayote. Vegetable Sticks- Peel and cut into sticks. Add to carrot, cucumber and celery sticks. Drizzle or dip into your favorite oil based dressing. 🙂 2. Lemon Grass
When you go around looking for this in the market, it might to help to ask for dahon ng Tanglad. I’ve only found out recently that the tea that’s freshly brewed each morning and kept in our fridge to chill is from the boiled leaves of Lemon Grass. It’s aromatic and delicious especially with a little coco sugar or honey. Lemon Grass tea works wonders for the digestion. It’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties help get rid of harmful bacteria in the stomach and digestive tract. If you’re looking to sweep the digestive system regularly, Lemon Grass tea is your way to go. Drink warm or chilled at any time of the day.Just boil the leaves to brew! The cost? Only Php10 per bundle in the market or select grocery stores. 3. Chickpeas
This one is better known as Garbanzos in our market. I love the texture of chickpeas, most of the time I just throw them into my salads. They’re packed with good fat and protein and are luckily the main ingredient to one of the most delicious dips–hummus! Find recipes for homemade hummus here. Canned chickpeas range from Php40-Php70 in supermarkets. Purchase fresher ones from the wet market and you’ll get more for the same price. 4. Beets
Okay. I don’t think there’s any other name for it. Aside from the bright red color it adds to your plate, beets have a distinct earthy flavor that I absolutely love. These days, people instantly see beets as part of their juice cleanse not as a delicious item to add to your meals. My sister loves making Russian salad with them but boiled beets with herbs and spices are delicious to me as well. Quick, easy, yummy and great for detoxifying the body, beets have a distinct earthy flavor that go well with almost anything if you ask me. 🙂 5. Avocado
Funny thing is I learned to eat this fruit with lots of milk, sugar and ice. Very much like ice cream! Better alternatives to this Filipino household dessert is to throw them into a blender with a couple of frozen bananas, re-freeze and voila! Vegan ice cream. But there’s more to avocados than just being a creamy ingredient to your desserts and ice cream. Change the way you look at it by mashing the fruit and throwing into salads, spreading on top toast or pizza. The possibilities are endless! So the next time you write down your market list, be sure to keep these things at the top of your head. It helps to add a splash of color from fruits and veggies and have a little variety to you diet. 😉
