Losing weight? Consider Jerusalem artichoke as your lunchtime hero

A typical home-cooked meal often contains a portion of meat, potatoes, and a side salad or slaw. However, this combination can contribute to high-calorie intake, especially with the addition of sauces or other high-fat extras. There are alternative options, one of which is not only delicious, but can also assist with weight loss. My dietitian fervently recommends this alternative.

When trying to lose weight, the overarching question often is what to eat for lunch. Changing our diet plays a critical role in achieving our weight loss goals. But it's crucial to remember, that starvation should never be an option. Such an approach often leads to quick weight rebound commonly referred to as the yo-yo effect, plus it weakens our body, making it more susceptible to various diseases.

Jerusalem artichoke, also known as sunroot, is native to North America and a sunflower family member. The edible portion of this plant is its tubers, providing a delicious option for a lunch side dish.

The taste of Jerusalem artichoke is mildly sweet and nutty. Its juicy nature makes it the perfect substitute for potatoes once peeled and cooked. Health benefits of this vegetable include:

• detoxification of excess toxins in the body,
• enhancing concentration,
• regulating blood pressure,
• preventing diseases of the digestive system,
• lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

This plant is packed with a plethora of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, E, K, C, and B vitamins, calcium, iron, fibre, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. In recent years, research has shown that Jerusalem artichoke possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties. With a high fibre content, it can aid weight loss, making it an excellent choice as a potato substitute for lunch.

Scientists in Chile conducted a study on the health benefits derived from daily consumption of Jerusalem artichoke tubers. The analysis revealed that the inulin, a polysaccharide present in the plant, promotes the attachment of probiotics to intestinal epithelium cells. This ensures the survival of probiotics under gastric and intestinal conditions. Another study with 66 participants found that consuming approximately an additional 5 grams (0.17 oz) of powdered Jerusalem artichoke every morning enhanced gut microflora among the individuals studied.