GO! Pesto™ - 5 A Day Pesto - Is Pesto One Of Your Five A Day? (2024)

FAQs

GO! Pesto™ - 5 A Day Pesto - Is Pesto One Of Your Five A Day? ›

Even though pesto is packed full of vitamins, iron, calcium, and healthy fats, sadly, it doesn't contribute anything towards your 5 a day.

You might not want to douse everything you eat with pesto, but you wouldn't want to do that with any food. Variety and moderation are important. Pesto can be a healthier replacement for cream-based sauces since it's made with olive oil and nuts.

Unopened store-bought pesto can typically last 1-2 weeks past the printed date if kept in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. Once opened, it should be consumed within 4 to 7 days, depending on the brand and storage conditions.

As you would expect, pesto's wider variety of ingredients means it does slightly better in the vitamin and mineral stakes. Pesto outsmarts tomato sauce in many of these, but the pasta sauce still provides a sizeable chunk of your recommended daily targets.

It has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and one component of its natural volatile oils (called eugenol) actually inhibits the very same enzyme in the body as many non-steriodal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

Even though pesto is packed full of vitamins, iron, calcium, and healthy fats, sadly, it doesn't contribute anything towards your 5 a day.

As for eating pesto neat, well, if that's your thing, go for it. We think its richness means you'll probably get sick of it long before you reach the bottom of the jar. Even pesto obsessives like us can't demolish a whole jar in one sitting.

While you can freeze pesto in full-batch amounts, it is also convenient to freeze pesto in smaller portions to be used as quick flavor-enhancers (without being the full flavor force of the dish)—swirl in soups or stir into salad dressings, or add a dollop to a bowl of rice.

An adverse reaction after eating basil pesto may not be related to an allergic reaction. If you develop gas, bloating or an upset stomach you may be sensitive to some of the ingredients, such as garlic or olive oil.

Swirl into soup before serving, add a spoonful on the side of roast chicken and salad, or dollop over your favourite lasagne. If you've only got a scraping left, pour a little extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar into the jar, screw on the lid and shake to make a salad dressing.

Is pesto good for high blood pressure? ›

As long as you don't have allergies, the ingredients used to make pesto are generally good for you. In fact, they may help reduce your blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and cancer risk. Homemade pesto is easy to make.

Given all of the above, pesto can undoubtedly be considered a healthy food, and as long as you keep track of portions, it can also be part of a diet that supports a healthy weight. Pesto is nutrient-dense, and because of its fat content, it's also calorically dense.

Good news! The weeds in the garden can contribute to this delicious pesto that provides nourishing phyto-nutrients to support our liver health. This pesto goes well on crackers, in pasta dishes, or with vegetable sticks.

While homemade and store-bought pesto sauces can vary in nutrition facts, pesto is generally a rich source of healthy fats. Because it is made with nutritious ingredients, pesto can be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Studies suggest that some foods can help decrease chronic inflammation. These include olive oil, certain berries, fruit, vegetables, spices, and fish. Inflammation can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it helps your body defend itself from infection and injury.

"Holy Basil" in particular has been found to have a calming effect on the mind and assist with sleep. Include basil in meals by adding it to tomato based sauces. You can make your own basil pesto at home and add it to meats, vegetables, potatoes, sandwiches and pasta dishes.

Studies on Pesto and Digestive Health

However, studies on the individual ingredients of pesto, such as basil and garlic, suggest potential benefits for digestive health. For example, basil has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help alleviate symptoms associated with IBS.

Energy bars, pesto, almond milk and protein drinks are all ultra processed foods, to name a few.

Classic pesto is renowned for its bright-green brilliance and for being one of the few Italian sauces that isn't touched by heat during preparation. With pesto, coarseness is key—after all, the term pesto is derived from the Italian word pestare, which translates to grind or crush.