"The fiery deep colour of red beets comes from betalain, a phytonutrient with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemo-preventive activity characteristics," Los Angeles-based registered dietitian Maggie Moon, MS, RDN, and author of The MIND Diet, tells POPSUGAR. Beets are also very diet-friendly. "A one-half cup of cooked beets is 40 calories, zero grams fat, 1.5 grams protein, 8.5 grams carbohydrates," says Moon. "Peel and cut, add to boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes, and you've got beets for the week," she says. Use them in a salad with leafy greens, orange segments, and mint, or marinate them in your favourite dressing and then add it to sandwiches, she says. You can also add them to smoothies.