ChatGPT and cruciferous veggies

Written By NATASHA HARTWELL

Happy December! My lowlight of the week? My daughter (I won’t specify which) casually mentions she asked ChatGPT what to eat when she was feeling sick… then looking confused when I asked, “Did you not think to ask me?”

So, ChatGPT is useful and makes life a little easier, but it’s not the place to turn to for health advice. Context is everything, and if your mum happens to be a Nutritional Therapist, maybe just ask her next time? 😉

Anyway, rant over. Now, onto something that genuinely excites me, cruciferous vegetables! And if it doesn’t excite you…well, I’ll try to bring the enthusiasm for both of us. You may not have heard them called this, but you definitely know them, I promise. They’re often on our Christmas plates, but they deserve more love all year long.

Ways to enjoy:

  • Stir-fry: broccoli, bok choy, and cabbage

  • Smoothie: add kale to your morning blend

  • Roast: cauliflower or Brussels sprouts with olive oil

  • Soup: blend cruciferous veggies for a hearty, batch-cook option

  • Raw: grate over salads

In season right now:

  • Broccoli

  • Cauliflower

  • Brussels sprouts

  • Cabbage

  • Kale

Latstly, why they’re superstars:

  • Heart health: Packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients to reduce inflammation.

  • Blood sugar: Helps keep glucose levels steady, fibre slows sugar absorption.

  • Liver support: Glucosinolates convert to isothiocyanates, supporting phase 1 & 2 liver detox pathways to help your liver process toxins efficiently.

  • Hormone balance: Supports healthy oestrogen breakdown via indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and helps clear excess hormones, especially helpful during perimenopause, PMS, or other hormonal imbalances (such as endometriosis).

NATASHA HARTWELL
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