FRESH FACTS

FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008

Do you know the Global NQI of all the food items you put on your weekly shopping list? Global NQI stands for “Global Nutritional Quality Index”, a revolutionary new way of judging the overall health value of individual foods, developed by Dr. Christopher Ramsden, pioneer in the field of nutritional biochemistry and author of the just released new book “Nutrition by the Numbers” (www.theNQI.com.).

“Ever since I went to medical school, I was fascinated by the impact our nutritional choices make on our health. America’s seven most common diseases – heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and depression – are in large part preventable” insists Ramsden, who developed the new Global NQI food-rating system in order to give consumers the whole picture about a particular food’s impact on health. The NQI is an all-inclusive score that measures a food’s precise fat type, total antioxidant capacity, mercury, PCB content, along with other crucial components on a score of minus 10 (toxic) to plus 10 (extremely beneficial).

“Research on Alzheimer’s, for example, from around the world indicates that what you eat says a lot about your risk of developing this disease and other kinds of dementia” explains Ramsden. “One of the easiest changes you can make for better brain health is to consume more fatty fish least twice a week to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by at least 40%.”

“When making fresh VEGETABLE choices, EGGPLANT and ARTICHOKES scored off the charts as superior foods” notes Ramsden. COLLARD GREENS, ROMAINE LETTUCE, ASPARAGUS, SPINACH, LEAF LETTUCES, BROCCOLI, RADISH, ALFALFA SPROUTS, JALAPENO PEPPERS, OKRA, CAULIFLOWER, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, GREEN BEANS, CELERY, ARUGULA, CABBAGE, ICEBERG LETTUCE, GREEN ONIONS, PEAS, SUMMER SQUASH, RED CABBAGE and BEETS all scored 10 or better due to their high concentration of fiber, protein and antioxidants.

BLACKBERRIES get two thumbs up from Ramsden for superior nutritional content and he suggests enjoying them often as he does for breakfast as a “BERRY Flax Smoothie” that combines BLACKBERRIES, CHERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, flaxseed and soymilk, garnished with cinnamon. RASPBERRIES, CRANBERRIES, AVOCADOS, OLIVES and STRAWBERRIES also rate a 10 on the NQI scale, with LEMONS, LIMES and BLUEBERRIES also nutrition-packed with all-important anti-oxidants.

Extra virgin olive oil is the superior choice for using on salads, and wild salmon, whitefish and ocean perch, fresh or frozen, the top three seafood choices.

“Some spices are also high yielding antioxidant capacity, including tumeric, curry powder, and red pepper flakes” notes Ramsden. And if you want a nutritional carry-with snack, look no farther than the NUT section for HAZELNUTS, MACADEMIAS and ALMONDS.

This Week in FRUITS

BLUEBERRIES are among this week’s best FRUIT values, a rich source of antioxidants and perfect for adding to breakfast cereal, muffin batter or baking into cobblers and tarts.

NAVEL ORANGES continue to be in abundant supply at very reasonable prices. Other good CITRUS FRUIT choices this week include LEMONS, BLOOD ORANGES, TANGERINES, RUBY GRAPEFRUIT, ORO BLANCOS and PUMELLOS.

GREEN and RED D’ANJOU PEARS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Delicious added to chicken or shrimp salads, this winter variety PEAR is also wonderful poached in wine as an easy dessert to serve with vanilla sauce and fresh RASPBERRIES.

Chilean RED and GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES are in peak production at economical prices. Use clusters as plate garnish for lunch or dinner.

HASS AVOCADOS are in plentiful supply, with prices decreasing. The rich, creamy and nutty flavor of AVOCADO marries beautifully with shrimp, crab or lobster in salads or as filling for omelets.

California STRAWBERRY volume is increasing as the new production season gets underway in Oxnard. Look for STRAWBERRIES with long stems still attached and dip in melted dark or light chocolate as a dessert offering.

GRANNY SMITH APPLES, one of the most popular varieties for baking, continue in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. BRAEBURN, another sweet-tart variety, is also in good supply at moderate prices.

CANTALOUPE MELON is holding steady at moderate prices. Peel and blend chunks with frozen yogurt, BANANA slices and STRAWBERRIES for a delicious shake.

HONEYDEW MELON is another good MELON choice decreasing in price.

Vine-ripened TOMATOES continue to be moderately priced. Enjoy the COCKTAIL TOMATO variety tossed into salads or cored and stuffed with HERB cream cheese as an appetizer course.

BANANAS are a produce department staple in steady supply. Add slices along with NUTS and DATES to morning oatmeal.

Dried FRUITS such as RAISINS, DATES, CRANBERRIES and STARFRUIT are great for blending into your own trail mix recipes and breakfast granola cereals.

Hawaiian PINEAPPLE is in steady supply at very reasonable prices. Use in salsa recipes and add fresh spears to morning juice as an edible garnish.

This week in VEGETABLES

New crop ARTICHOKES are among this week’s best value in the VEGETABLE category. This low-calorie, yet highly satisfying VEGETABLE can be steamed ahead of time and then refrigerated to use throughout the week.

ASPARAGUS prices are decreasing. Enjoy steamed with a rich, LEMONY hollandaise sauce or cut and tossed in to pasta primavera salad.

BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER are both plentiful side dish choices at economical prices.

FINGERLING POTATOES, WHITE ROSE and RUSSET POTATO varieties are in steady supply at moderate prices.

YAMS and SWEET POTATOES are good side dish choices if you’re looking for items rich in B-complex vitamins for fast energy.

ICEBERG LETTUCE, ROMAINE, RED LEAF, GREEN LEAF LETTUCES, ARUGULA, RADICHIO and GREEN CABBAGE are among the many salad choices you can mix and match for an interesting blend.

Salad toppings in steady supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, JICAMA, CELERY, MUSHROOMS and CUCUMBERS.

California-grown CARROTS are in plentiful supply, with prices decreasing. Grate and use in RAISIN-WALNUT muffin batter or CARROT cake or cut julienne-style, steam and serve with ROSEMARY or THYME-infused butter.

GARLIC is plentiful at economical prices.

Good values continue on HARD SHELL SQUASH such as KABOCHA and SPAGHETTI, with CHAYOTE and ZUCCHINI among the best values in soft-shell SQUASH offerings.

TURNIPS, BEETS and PARSNIPS are among the many ROOT VEGETABLES perfect for roasting as a side dish medley to roast beef, pork or game meats.

This Week in FLORAL

If you want cut FLOWER choices that have staying power, CARNATIONS, MINIATURE CARNATIONS, DAISIES, MUMS and TULIPS are all good bets this week. In potted blooming plants, HYDRANGEAS are a hardy and colorful plant that brightens any deck, porch or patio.