Artichokes

Did you know that artichoke hearts rank among the highest fiber vegetables? In fact, just one cup of artichokes delivers an astounding 9 grams of fiber—about a third of the daily requirement for most people. Fiber continues to earn major kudos from health professionals and with good reason: It promotes regularity, lowers cholesterol levels, and improves blood  sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. And, it’s key to any weight-loss plan, because eating fiber-rich meals helps keep you full. That means you’ll be less prone to continual snacking. Fresh artichokes can look intimidating, but they’re totally worth the extra effort. Steam or grill whole chokes and serve with a heart-healthy lemon and olive oil vinaigrette for dipping. If you’re not ready to take on the fresh guys, look for frozen or canned hearts, which are already prepped and waiting to be tossed into salads or pasta dishes.