Papayas are offer a delightful balanced sweet flavor, and contain the digestive enzyme papain, which helps break down proteins and cleanse the digestive tract, in addition to antioxidants like carotenes and vitamin C. Genetically modified (GM) papayas are virus-resistant papayas, but also not good for human health, have been grown in Hawaii and China, so look for organic papayas.
Papayas come in many varieties and can both be eaten green as in the savory Thai green papaya salad or ripe, orange, sweet and juice with a squeeze of lime juice is very satisfying or try this more filling breakfast idea >
Breakfast Papaya Bowl
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1 medium-sized ripe non-GMO papaya
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1 cup non-dairy yogurt of choice like Cocojune brand
Here are some topping ideas, choose what you have on hand or what you like.
- fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
- dried fruit like goji berries, raisins or chopped dates
- 1/4 cup GF granola
- seeds or nuts like pumpkin, sunflower, flax or chia
- nuts like chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, macadamia
- fresh herbs like mint
How to:
- Cut the papaya in half (the long way) and scrape out the black seeds.
- Place 1/2 of yogurt into each half.
- Add whichever toppings you desire
Once cut, papaya is best eaten fresh.
