Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Peas are one of my favourite vegetables -- especially when they're fresh from the garden. Crunchy, juicy and just a little bit sweet, they're absolutely delicious. Even in the winter, when they come frozen from a bag in the freezer, they're still really tasty. And usually, things that taste good aren't good for you (and vice versa) but peas are the exception; not only do peas taste good, they're really good for you too.

But just what about green peas makes them so nutritious?



Well, for starters, they're high in fibre, that magical stuff that helps lower cholesterol, prevents heart disease and aids in digestion. And they have about twice the amount of protein than most other vegetables, all while being much lower in fat that other traditional sources of protein like meat and dairy. And let's not forget the vitamin component: peas are excellent sources of several important nutrients, including vitamin B, vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, folate, thiamin, carotenes, iron and potassium. Pod peas, like snow peas, offer similar health benefits but aren't as rich in nutrients as green peas.

So how do you enjoy peas? Me, I simply steam or boil them, or I'll eat them raw if they're fresh from the earth. Not into eating peas on their own? Try adding them to your salad, stir-fry or pasta sauce. Need more inspiration? Check out this website for cooking tips and recipes. Got some suggestions? Please share them in the comments below.

For each half cup serving of green peas, there are 67 calories and 0 g of fat. Carb watchers should be wary -- in the same sized serving, there's 13 g of carbohydrates. But I wouldn't worry too much about the carb count -- no one gets fat from eating too many peas. So pass the peas, please, and eat up!