Spotlight on Haitian Mangoes: Because Trying Unfamiliar Food is Fun

This week we’re all about Haitian mangoes, (also known as Madame Francis mangoes) which in our opinion are the most underrated types of mangoes on the market. Though they’re ubiquitous throughout Haiti, they are exported to the U.S. for just a short window during the spring season. So if you’re reading this today it’s NOT too late.

Most people are familiar with mangoes indigenous to Mexico and South America. Don’t get us wrong, we love the entire mango family, but these Haitain guys are special. They have a sweet and intense tropical flavor that pretty much makes your mouth feel like it’s on vacation.

They’re recognizable because they are flatter and hold a more elongated shape than their mango cousins. When ripe, they take on a yellowish-gold color and become freckled with little black dots. Cut them in half and their insides are a vibrant orangey-yellow.

If you’re not sold yet, we’ll give you a brief mango-nutrition 101 to seal the deal:

1) Studies have suggested that mangoes play a protective role in eye health by filtering out harmful rays, thanks to its antioxidant power

2) Dietary beta-carotene, another component of the mango, may protect against certain types of cancer – namely prostate cancer

3) They’re rich in vitamins A and C, which help to keep hair strong and skin radiant, as vitamin C is required for collagen production

4) They’re a good source of fiber, which provides a host of digestive benefits

We think Haitian mangoes are awesome sliced fresh and served plain. But you can also get creative and prepare these mangoes in a salad, salsa, or smoothie. Below is a mango salsa recipe adapted from Martha Stewart that adds a sweet and spicy kick to any grilled fish.

Ingredients:

• 1 mango, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 small red onion, diced small
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped finely
• 1/2-1 habanero chile, minced (stem and seeds removed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix!

Aside from their health benefits, Haitian mangoes are simply really, really good. Trying new foods is always fun, so next time you’re in the grocery store, make it a point to ask where you can find a Francis mango. We can guarantee you won’t regret it.

Should We Be Chugging Charcoal?

The latest fad in the juice world seems to be elixirs made with activated charcoal, marketed as powerful detoxifying agents. This “black magic” is said to help detox, fight bloat, whiten teeth, aid in digestion, and maybe even cure hangovers.  Before jumping on the charcoal bandwagon, let's dig deeper.

Activated charcoal is derived from wood, peat, or coconut shells that are exposed to an oxidizing agent at high heat. This process creates a fine dust with microscopic pores on the surface which work as traps for compounds and particles. Activated charcoal can be used in the emergency room as an alternative to stomach pumping to treat oral poisoning. It works like a magnet by binding to drugs or toxins and removes them from the body.

Is activated charcoal as effective outside of the ER? Unfortunately, not so much. The charcoal doesn’t just go after the bad guys. It also binds to beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. This means that the other nutrients in the juice may not be absorbed very well. Further, if you're taking any medication you should note that the charcoal may reduce its effectiveness. 

A big attraction of activated charcoal is that it allegedly helps to cure hangovers by preventing the absorption of alcohol. As much as we are all looking for the miracle hangover fix (please, let us know if you think you have found it), for now water and sleep remain our best bets. Charcoal actually doesn’t bind well to alcohol and it would only work if the alcohol remained in the upper GI tract. Unless you want to start chasing your tequila with charcoal juice, this is not the best approach to avoid hangovers. 

On the other hand, activated charcoal may work nicely on your teeth. When swished around in your mouth it binds to tannins found in coffee and wine and removes the staining to leave a whiter smile. 

We're all looking for the magic potion to fight toxins, so here's the good news: our bodies are miracle workers on their own. With a clean, balanced diet and proper hydration, our bodies work around the clock to detoxify and cleanse our digestive systems. So for now, let's keep our juices green! 

Welcome to the Tribe

To our friends and soon-to-be-friends,

Welcome to Tovita Nutrition! We are so excited to finally share our brainchild with you. If you've surfed the site a bit, you hopefully have a basic understanding of who we are and what we stand for. If we're catching you off guard, then you've come to the right blog post! We will use this opportunity to introduce ourselves.  

Tovita Nutrition is both a virtual nutrition counseling service and a space to share awesome health tips, stories, recipes, debunk myths, talk top restaurants and more. Why go virtual? We have undoubtedly been raised in a service-oriented generation. From your groceries to your toiletries, these days anything can be delivered straight to your door. So we thought, why can’t we do that too?

Next, you should know that we are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). This title means we know our stuff and we’re not going to push nutrition fads that are not scientifically sound. Hence, “the science of satisfaction.” Nutrition is an ever evolving, exciting, yet sometimes frustrating field and we are here to keep you focused on what’s important - high quality, whole, real foods. We know how tempting it can be to jump on the latest fad's bandwagon, but we also know which lifestyle changes are sustainable and worthwhile.

Beyond our qualifications, we believe you'll find the Tovita lifestyle to be approachable and pragmatic. Our purpose is to share a way of eating and living that you will feel excited to practice. As busy, social beings we understand that your schedule probably doesn’t revolve around your diet, meaning kale salads and fresh veggies are not always in the cards. Bagel breakfasts at the office – those happen. Pizza Fridays after work – those happen too. We've got you covered.

Whether you’re interested in our private counseling, or you just want a few healthy recipes, we have open arms. As new kids on the block, we are eager to hear your feedback and we are open to new ideas. So please, if there’s something you want to know more about, let us know.

Welcome to Tovita. We can’t wait to get to know you.

Love,

Leah & Molly