This Fall Food Is the No. 1 Easiest Way to Add Fiber, Antioxidants to Meals, Dietitian Says - TODAY.com

The easiest and perhaps tastiest way to add antioxidants to your fall meals only takes a sprinkle. Just a handful of a certain richly colored, naturally sweet (and tart) fruit can give any meal a boost of healthy plant compounds and fiber, a dietitian says. And the best way to use this ingredient is to simply toss a few of them on top of any meal. Nutrition Tip of the Day: Sprinkle Pomegranate Arils on Meals to Add Fiber and Antioxidants“Pomegranate arils are one of my favorite ways to add antioxidants to everyday meals,” says Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor. Tiny, gem-like pomegranate seeds are packed with healthy plant compounds to support your heart health, she says. And they add a juicy burst of flavor and color to any meal. Why It MattersPomegranate arils may be small, but they’re full of nutrients that support your heart health, gut health and more. “These juicy little seeds contain polyphenols, plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress and may support heart health,” Rizzo says. Those compounds include anthocyanins, a type of plant pigment also found in blueberries and blackberries that have antioxidant benefits.