The Wonderful Benefits of Onions

Hello!

Today I wanted to talk about one of my favorite vegetables of all time, Onions!

Growing up our food was cooked with onions and I wasn't a child that had very picky tastes so I ate pretty much everything that was made. It wasn't until I got into high school that I realized the different dishes that were prepared for us that either had onions in them or were seasoned with onion powder at least.

From the time that I left home to start my college journey in 2012 I was blessed to have access to a kitchen. My first year of college my room was right across the hall from the kitchen in the dorm. I didn't cook full course meals but I did use it to cook simple meals when I didn't want what was being served in our dining room. The remainder of my college years I lived off campus in townhouses which of course had a full kitchen and it gave me plenty of opportunity let my cooking side come out. I always had a bag of fresh onions in the pantry, or I had frozen onions in the fridge. College is also when I started to learn the health benefits of a variety of foods, including foods that we wouldn't think of as a super food.

As an adult, I use onion in about 95% of meals that I make. If it's a savory cuisine, it has onions. Whether it's meat, potatoes, eggs, burgers, or soup. Onions have such an amazing, distinct smell and taste when they are sauteed and added to meals. I would say that about 85-90% of the things of made and added to my food Instagram contain onions. I love cooked onions but still don't do too much with raw onion. It's great for salsa and dips but I don't use raw onion on sandwiches or anything of that sort. Even when I use it for salsa, I usually have to eat it within 2-3 days of making it or else the onion will be a little too strong. During my cooking experiences I have also learned to appreciate both yellow and purple onions and what kind of dishes they are best used in.

Through learning and research I have also discovered the health benefits of onions and why they are a super food that more people should be aware of.

A few benefits of #onions are as follows:

1. Roughly 90% water.

2. There are a wide variety of antioxidants in onions that are great for fighting heart disease and cancer.

3. They are good source of fiber and vitamins such as vitamin c and folate.

4. They have natural antibacterial properties.

5. Onions are also a natural source of prebiotics. Prebiotics are broken down by our good gut bacteria and are vital for good gut health.

A few sources for onion benefits:

1. https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/exploring-aromatics

2. https://www.livestrong.com/article/534852-nutrition-of-red-onions-vs-white-onions/

3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/onions#benefits

4. https://www.almanac.com/plant/onions

5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276714#why-does-chopping-onions-cause-tears

Do you use onions? If so, what are your favorite dishes to use onions in? I would love to know how you guys use onions and if they are a staple for you like they are for us.

My fiance and I have actually started our journey of growing onions from onions that we bought at the store and they are growing very well! I am excited to share that journey and many others with you all very soon!

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