FOOD SPOTLIGHT: DATES

For thousands of years, dates have been the staple of the Middle Eastern diet. Stemming from Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent from about 4000 B.C., this resilient fruit has truly stood the test of time. In Quranic texts, it is said that Maryam (as) the mother of Jesus(as) ate dates to ease the the pains of childbirth.

Aside from the deep religious and cultural aspects of dates here are other benefits:

• A strong source of protein

• Fibre, which helps lower the risk of heart disease and prevents constipation

• Vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, A, C, K and D

• Selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium, which are good for bone health

• Potassium, which helps support the nervous system

• Fluorine, which helps fight tooth decay

• Iron, which helps with anemia

• Natural sugars

Dates are traditionally eaten with coffee in the morning, put in shakes as a thickener and sweetener, or even as a sugar substitute for baked goods. Some of our personal favorites are the classic medjool dates, the complex barhi dates, the syrupy sukkary dates, and the dark ajwa dates.