Aloha Ohana!

It's Super Food Sunday here at KHC. Did you know that poi is a superfood?

Most foods don’t get much humbler than poi, the pasty staple made from the taro plant. It may be the only thing Hawaiians have that nobody else envies. The islands' scented breezes and hula hands waft and beckon. Poi just sits there, strangely elastic, sort of purple, inviting funny looks. But like those people you know whose outward placidity masks a rich inner life, poi is remarkable.

It is a superfood, for one thing: a fat-free, high-fiber, low-sodium, gluten-free source of vitamin B, calcium, and phosphorus. It sustained the Polynesians who took taro to the islands centuries ago, for reasons that are newly appreciated today. Dr. Terry Shintani, a doctor and the author of ''The Hawaii Diet'' (Pocket Books, 2002), has made poi a centerpiece of a program to help native Hawaiians and others overcome obesity, diabetes, and heart disease by returning to traditional Hawaiian foods. On top of all that, poi is ideal baby food.

Pick up a bag for your family at the Laie Foodland and have a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

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#bewell

#staywell

Aloha Ohana!

It’s ‘Ulu Tuesday and here are some fun facts about this superfood from our registered dietitian.

The Many Health Benefits of ‘Ulu

‘Ulu is considered a superfood not only because one fruit feeds an entire family and there’s enough fruit on the islands to feed the whole population, but due to its nutritional value. It’s sometimes called the tree potato for how versatile it is in cooked dishes and for how it tastes when it’s mature. But it's higher in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals than white potatoes.

There are many nutrients packed into one fruit. ‘Ulu is loaded with:

Antioxidants

Carotenoids

Fiber

Iron

Magnesium

Niacin

Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 6 fatty acids

Calcium

Copper

Phosphorus

Potassium

Thiamine

Protein

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

And it Tastes Great!

You can eat and enjoy ‘ulu at any stage. When it’s green and hard, it tastes like an artichoke. When it’s mature, it tastes and cooks like a potato or other root vegetable. When very ripe, it’s sweet and is enjoyed like fruit or dessert.

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#bewell

#staywell