Jicama Nutrition

If you are determined to eat better and expand your diet at the same time, you have probably been curious about jicama nutrition. Jicama can be intimidating if you have not bought it before. Jicama is a root vegetable, and can weigh up to several pounds. But, inside the drab skin of this large tuber is a crisp and fresh-tasting root with a delicious, mildly sweet flavor and a great nutrition profile.

Jicama is a very low-calorie food, at just 46 calories per cup. This makes it perfect for cutting into thin slices and serving with a low-calorie dip for a nutritious and satisfying snack. Another aspect of jicama nutrition is its high Vitamin C content. One cup of jicama provides 40% of your RDA of this nutrient. Jicama's nutrition profile also includes a large amount of fiber. One serving has 26% of your daily allowance. There are also trace amounts of iron, calcium and Vitamin A.

Try out some of the ideas below to take advantage of jicama's nutrition benefits:

• Grate jicama like a slaw. Toss with a dressing of lime juice, cilantro, black pepper and a small dash of olive oil. Jicama slaw is a great accompaniment to low fat fish.
• Cut jicama into chips and eat with hummus.
• Cut jicama into slices and add to a stir fry. Cook until just crisp tender.
• Add peeled and sliced jicama to a raw vegetable platter.
• Cube jicama and add it to a fruit salad. Jicama's mild, sweet flavor and pleasant crunch make it a great foil for softer fruits.