Sauerkraut's Perfect for Low-Calorie, Summer Dishes

If you find yourself routinely counting calories now that the warm weather's here, you might want to let sauerkraut aid your efforts to get that summer body in better shape, a Wisconsin food expert says.

Sauerkraut – traditionally a staple of German cuisine – is fermented cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable known to provide a wonderfully tart complement to any summer food fare.

It's a healthful and versatile food, one that fits in quite well with a low-calorie, health-conscious diet. A one-cup serving of sauerkraut has just 32 calories and contains no fat or cholesterol. Sauerkraut also is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, and copper.

World-famous celebrities like Heidi Klum and Halle Berry love sauerkraut and hold dear their favorite sauerkraut-related recipes. Heidi loves her grandmom's Sauerkraut Soup, and Halle has publicly shared her recipe for Sauerkraut and Kielbasa.

Recent highly publicized scientific studies like those done by researchers at Michigan State University and the University of New Mexico show that chemical compounds in sauerkraut and cruciferous vegetables in general offer the body improved cancer-fighting abilities.

Tropical Surprise Salad is a great side dish for those lazy, leisurely days of grilling and eating summer food favorites.

TROPICAL SURPRISE SALAD

1 ripe mango

1 can (15.25 oz.) pineapple tidbits with juice

1 cup Silver Floss® or Krrrrisp Kraut® sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

1 jar (6 oz.) maraschino cherries, drained

Wash and peel mango. Cut flesh away from seed and cut into ½-inch cubes. In a large bowl, combine mango cubes, pineapple with juice, sauerkraut, and cherries. Mix well. Chill before serving.

Servings: 6½-cup servings

Serving suggestions: Serve on leaf or romaine lettuce.