Stocks can be a really healthy addition to your diet. Whether you are detoxing, trying to lose weight, or simply want to reap the benefits of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, making your own stocks is a great way to ensure that you are getting plenty of essential vitamins.
Vegetable stocks and broths are full of vitamins and minerals which will boost your immune system and make you feel full of energy. If you struggle to get your five-a-day, adding a cup or two of vegetable stock to your daily diet can be an easy way to boost your vitamin intake. Combine this with some wholegrain rye bread, or fibre-rich crackers to ensure you are getting adequate fibre, too.
Homemade vegetable stock is a great alternative to pre-packaged bouillon mixes and stock cubes. Shop bought stocks can be high in salt and may contain nasty additives such as monosodium glutamate. If you make your own stocks, you can control salt levels and make sure that your food is free from artificial preservatives. Your homemade stocks can be added to casseroles, sauces and many other dishes to give a rich and rounded flavour. If you make your own stock, you can freeze this in small portions to use in home cooking.
Chicken stock is another healthy and tasty choice, which can be consumed alone as a soup or added to soups and sauces. You can use homemade chicken stock in a range of your favourite recipes, including pies, lasagnes and bakes. Making chicken stock is also an economical way to make the most of a roast chicken and use up any vegetables you might have in your fridge Typical recipes involve boiling up chicken bones and leftover meat with vegetables such as carrots, celery and onions.
A good source of protein, which is essential for building lean muscle, chicken stock is low in fat and full of flavour. Chicken stock contains all but one of the main B vitamins. B vitamins are the main ingredient of effervescent energy tablets, but eating chicken stock is a cheap and tasty way to get these essential vitamins into your diet naturally. Jewish mothers are famous for their traditional chicken broth, which is thought to have healing benefits and is often served to sick family members to help promote a speedy recovery. Chicken broth also contains plenty of of zinc, a mineral known to increase immunity, as well as bone-building calcium. Some studies have suggested that sufficient zinc can also improve athletic performance, making chicken stock a good choice for sportspeople. Certainly, the balance of vitamins and protein in a healthy chicken stock will help to improve your natural immunity and get you back on your feet if you have been unwell or are feeling run down. Add in meat and noodles to boost the protein content and add carbohydrates for extra energy.
Some people like to consume stocks as part of a detox diet, replacing sugar, alcohol, dairy and other products with water, or fresh fruit and vegetables. To boost the beneficial effects of a detox diet, it is important to drink plenty of water. Having a bottle of mineral water by your desk at home or work can help to ensure that you are taking on plenty of liquid. Consuming stocks will also contribute to your daily fluid intake. Whether or not you are following a special diet plan, being adequately hydrated will boost your energy levels and improve concentration. If you work in an office, encourage your boss to install a water cooler, such as those available to order from angelsprings.com, to ensure that employees are well-hydrated and ready for action.
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