Fresh Dates

“Let food be your medicine.” Hippocrates

Long time ago when I was living in United Arab Emirates (UAE), there were date palms with fresh dates hanging from them on both sides of the streets. The dates were within the reach and they were like bulbs of sweet honey shining under the sun light. It was irresistable to pass them without picking a couple of them to try. Also in that country I learned to eat them with lebnah (thick Greek yogurt) for an appetizer and it tasted so good.

Fresh or dried dates  are a source of natural sugar boosting energy. They have a lot of fiber, vitamines and minerals that are essential for human health. Dates contain vitamine A, which helps healthy vision and skin, vitamine B complex and Viatmine K. Dates are a wonderful source of  potassium, which prevents stroke and coronary heart disease. Other minerals are calcium, manganese, copper, and iron necessary for healthy bone, muscle and blood. Dates are known to protect mouth and lung from cancer and prevent age related macular degeneration (reduce vision). They also prevent colon, prostate, breast, uterus (endometrial) and pancreas cancer. Dates are also known as a sexual booster.

I like medjool dates the best and I believe they are the most popular dates around the world. An American traditional way of eating dates in holidays is to take the pit out and fill it with peanut butter instead, wrap them with bacon and fry them, or make dates bar and other pastries. A Persian traditional way of eating dates is from Shiraz, which is a dessert called “Ranginak”. You replace the pit with walnut and arrange the dates in a plate. Then roast some flour and add butter and cinnamon and pour it over the dates. You can sate them in butter and make some dates omelet. They are soft enough to make small balls out of them and roll them in coconut as well. Iranians add them to their lentil rice dish, eat them with their hot tea or coffee, and mostly they serve them in funerals as a comfort food. The good thing is they are available all year around and you can enjoy them if you are not so concern about your weight gain. they don’t induce allergies and they are safe to eat in any age, but as always moderation is the key! Enjoy! 🙂

“Let’s always eat and drink healthful food and beverages and do it in moderation.” Dr. Sii