Pea Facts
Some Interesting Pea Facts For You
Behold the humble pea. Facts say it actually has a lot going for it.
• The pea plant has a life span of only a year. It's grown in the cooler seasons in different parts of the world. The average pea, facts confirm, weighs between .1 and .36 grams. The pea as we know it is used a fresh vegetable, or canned or frozen. These types are usually called field peas.
• Peas come in a few different forms, and they all have a deliciously vibrant flavor. They have a smooth texture and lots of nutrients to promote good health. Garden peas are usually available from the spring months through the end of the fall. Only about five percent of peas are sold fresh – the other 95% are canned or frozen. Frozen peas tend to hold their flavor better than canned peas, and they have less sodium.
• The green pea, facts state, provides you with over fifty percent of your daily needed Vitamin K. In addition, they are a rich source of Vitamin C, dietary fiber and Vitamin B1.
• Green peas are rich with nutrients that help you to maintain healthy bones. They are important to include as a regular part of your diet, especially if you've been anemic or sluggish. They have nutrients that help to support the cells that produce energy in body systems.
• Many vitamins are supplied by the green pea, facts confirm. Green peas also contain a good amount of iron, which helps in blood cell production and function. If you don't get enough iron in your diet or a supplement, it can result in fatigue, anemia and a weakened immune system. The Vitamin C in green peas protects the cells and body systems from damage from free radicals.
• The green pea, facts state, provides you with nutrients that help prevent cancer development. High Vitamin C content can lower the risks for many cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, and lung and colorectal cancers. And Vitamin C helps to protect cells from damage and it helps your body compensate for toxic chemicals and environmental pollution.
• When you purchase fresh peas, select those with firm pods that are smooth, firm and velvety. The color should be a medium, lively green. Peas with a very light or dark color, or peas that are whitish, yellow, or gray speckled, should not be selected.
• Some green pea recipes include adding fresh peas to salads, to spice them up.
• Mix green peas with diced onions, almonds and chicken, to create a colorful and delightful chicken salad.
• Mix snow peas with your favorite veggie stir fry, to make it healthier.
• You can make a healthy sauté of snapped peas and shiitake mushrooms.
• Pack fresh pea pods in a lunch box – they make a healthy snack.