I recently read an article in the latest Nutrition Action newsletter regarding papayas.  I love this fruit when I’m in Mexico, but have trouble selecting the best ones when I’m at my local grocer.   Here is a recap about papayas.  First of all, select papayas that are partly yellow (at least) on the outside.  If they are hard and green, then they probably won’t ripen properly as they are too immature.  You can keep a partially yellow papaya at room temperature until it fully ripens (all yellow).  Make sure not to select a papaya that has a soft stem, and try to pick one that just gives slightly to pressure.

Not sure how to prepare one of these fruits?  Peel away the outside and scoop out the seeds in the middle.  Cut like you would your favorite melon, and squeeze on some fresh lime or lemon juice to taste.  Papaya is great in salsa or mixed with other fruits (melon and pineapple).

Papayas are highly nutritious, so drop some in that smoothie the next time you make one.  Just one cup of papaya contains 2.5 grams of fiber. This same cup contains 1.5 days worth of  vitamin C and 28% of one days worth of vitamin A. They have 14% of one day’s folate, and 6% of one days potassium and only 60 calories.

Check out Nutrition Action for more great nutrition health tips.

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