The easiest and perhaps tastiest way to add antioxidants to your fall meals only takes a sprinkle.<\/p>\n
Just a handful of a certain richly colored, naturally sweet (and tart) fruit can give any meal a boost of healthy plant compounds and fiber, a dietitian says. And the best way to use this ingredient is to simply toss a few of them on top of any meal.<\/p>\n
Nutrition Tip of the Day: Sprinkle Pomegranate Arils on Meals to Add Fiber and Antioxidants<\/p>\n
\u201cPomegranate arils are one of my favorite ways to add antioxidants to everyday meals,\u201d says Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor.<\/p>\n
Tiny, gem-like pomegranate seeds are packed with healthy plant compounds<\/a> to support your heart health, she says. And they add a juicy burst of flavor and color to any meal.<\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/p>\n Pomegranate arils may be small, but they\u2019re full of nutrients that support your heart health, gut health and more.<\/p>\n \u201cThese juicy little seeds contain polyphenols, plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress and may support heart health,\u201d Rizzo says. Those compounds include anthocyanins<\/a>, a type of plant pigment also found in blueberries and blackberries that have antioxidant benefits.<\/p>\n In fact, pomegranate seeds are among the best fruits for heart health<\/a> due to these anti-inflammatory compounds, and pomegranate juice is the healthiest fruit juice<\/a>, some experts say.<\/p>\n Pomegranate seeds are \u201calso a good source of fiber,\u201d Rizzo notes. You\u2019ll find nearly 4 grams of fiber in a half-cup serving of arils<\/a>. <\/p>\n And they \u201cadd a naturally sweet, tart flavor and satisfying crunch to food,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n How to Get Started<\/p>\n Think about sprinkling some pomegranate seeds anywhere you\u2019d like a boost of natural sweetness, nutrients and color. <\/p>\n \u201cI love sprinkling them over yogurt, oatmeal, salads or roasted vegetables,\u201d Rizzo says.<\/p>\n Try these pomegranate seed recipes:<\/p>\n Of course, you can carefully remove the seeds from a pomegranate yourself. But, Rizzo notes, you can also buy the arils already removed from the fruit to save time.<\/p>\n