Lemons are a gift of nature. Lemons not only add zest to both savory and sweet dishes, but also have a high nutritional value and can be used in so many different ways.

Lemons are loaded with vitamn C, an antioxidant vitamin which is important for healing wounds, fighting inflammation and making collagen. Vitamin C iis essential for bone, teeth, skin, blood vessel, ligaments, cartilage and heart health. Research has proved that vitamin C in high daily doses (1000mg) can help ward off atherosclerosis and even reverse existing plaques in blood vessels.

The lemon’s outer peel is rich in another antioxidant called “rutin”. Rutin may further help protect against heart disease by helping to strengthen blood vessels.

Lemons can be used in many different ways. Make sure to have them in your kitchen all the time.

Here are 14 ways our Oakville holistic nutritionist uses lemons 

1. Daily mini detox: As a nutritionist, this is one of my favorites. Squeeze a quarter of a lemon to a warm cup of pure water. Drink first thing in the morning and wait for some time before taking your breakfast. This helps to gently detoxify your liver and cleanse your digestive system. Avoid if you have stomach ulcer or burning stomach pain.
2. Vitamin water: a slice of lemon in a glass of water not only looks pretty but makes fora refreshing and refreshing beverage. This is  my recommendation as a nutritionist if you don’t like the taste of pure water.
3. Tasty marinade: use the juice and grated rind of a lemon, a tablespoon olive oil, onions or garlic or both, salt and pepper with your favorite herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage, cardamom). Lemons add not only taste but also nutritional value.
4. Healthy dressing: add 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice to ½ olive oil and ¼ cup balsamic vinegar then add your salt and pepper and herbs of choice. Lemon and vinegar help in  better digestion.
5. Hummus recipe: 1 cup garbanzo beans, 2 tbsp tahini,1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 scallions, 2 cloves chopped garlic, 1 tsp cumin,1 tsp coriander and ½ tsp pepper. Mix all ingredients in a food processor. Hummus makes for a healthy nutritionist recommended dip.
6. Healing lemon honey ginger tea for sore throats and colds: add a tsp of freshly cut chopped ginger to a cup of boiling water and steep for 5 minutes. Sweeten with a teaspoon of unpasteurized honey.
7. Miraculous lemon tea gargle: add the juice of a lemon to a cup of warm black tea and use as a gargle. This is my grand mother’s recipe which I always use and recommend to my friends and nutrition clients.
8. Add to soups instead of salt for extra zest. It is a good way to reduce your sodium intake. This helps if you are trying to restrict salt intake or have a problem of high blood pressure.
9. Refreshing apple lemonade: juice two red delicious apples and one lemon. This juice tastes exactly like lemonade (if not better). Children love this recipe and it is highly refreshing and nutritious in hot weather. a great way to remove the refined sugar.
10. Lemony muffins and cakes: use instead of vanilla in your favorite cake/muffin recipe to give it a zest.
11. Skin softener and brightener: for healthy skin and nails, use the inside skin of juiced lemons to rub your fingernails and hands. It softens the skin and helps with age spots and discolorations.
12. Lemon and honey face mask: for oily or acne prone skin: squeeze ½ a lemon into a bowl and add 2 tbsp of honey. Apply to face avoiding eye area and leave for 15-20 minutes. It helps sooth skin and evens out skin tone.
13. Natural kitchen deodorizer: boil the juiced lemon skin in water for 15-20 minutes.
14. Natural antioxidant to prevent darkening of apples and bananas in fruit salad or dehydrated fruit. Squeeze a lemon over your fruits just after peeling to keep them fresh longer.

Quick tips by our Oakville holistic nutritionist 

• look for unblemished thin-skinned lemons that are heavy for their size- an indicator of juiciness.
• Lemons keep at room temperature for about a week and refrigerated for a month or more.
• To get more juice from a lemon, bring it to room temperature, then roll it back and forth on a countertop before cutting and squeezing it.

We offer tele-health coaching via Zoom, so we can help you if you are out of area. If you need help with your health and nutrition, sign up for a 15 Min Discovery Call with Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Maha Nasr to discuss your current goals and concerns and ask how we she can help you.

If you find this information useful, please feel free to share with your family or friends.