Fun Food Fact Friday: Tomatoes

12/29/2017

Sweet and portable, cherry tomatoes add more than color to your dinner salad. Although technically a fruit, nutritionally cherry tomatoes more closely resemble a vegetable. That means they’re low in calories and rich in a number of nutrients that are good for your health.

Ten cherry tomatoes have almost as much potassium as a medium banana with 400 milligrams. Eating more potassium-rich foods may help lower your blood pressure. A high intakes of potassium increases your body’s ability to excrete sodium, helping to improve fluid balance and lessen pressure on your arteries. Adults need 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day, and eating cherry tomatoes can help you meet almost 10 percent of your daily needs.

Protecting your body from toxic substances that cause damage to your cells may help lower your risk of a number of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes contain a few nutrients that offer such protection, including vitamin C, lycopene and beta carotene, which are known as antioxidants.

Frost Valley has produced over 34 quarts of cherry tomatoes this year at the educational farm. All of which is used in the meals served in the Thomas Dining Hall and East Valley Ranch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frost Valley YMCA

Frost Valley YMCA is a 5,500-acre, year-round camp - There's something for everyone here in the Valley. From group and family retreats to overnight camps to horse camps to teambuilding, we've got you covered. School groups love taking a three-night field trip to explore the natural world and learn about the environment and their classmates. Family weekends are the perfect getaway for the young and the young at heart. Teambuilding retreats afford corporate, collegiate, religious, and other groups the opportunity to challenge themselves and effectively work toward common goals. In the summertime we're where kids and teens gain independence, explore the world, and make lifelong friends through various camps such as traditional sleepaway camp, farm camp, horse camp, adventure trips, and day camp. Call (845)985-2291 or email info@frostvalley.org to learn more today!