Beet Greens
I need more information about beet greens. We love to eat them fresh and cooked, but a friend of mine that is a pharmacist and has done considerable reading on nutrition during and after her successful battle against breast cancer said she thinks she remembers reading somewhere that beet greens can actually take calcium from bones.

Eating many beet greens would be harmful in that way. Do you know anything about this?
—TW, via the web

Beet greens do not take calcium from your bones. What your friend may be remembering is that the calcium in beet greens, as well as in spinach and beans, is bound up with natural compounds called oxalates in the plant, making the calcium in those plants poorly absorbed by our bodies. Therefore, eating beet greens with a glass of milk would not interfere with calcium absorption from the milk. Only the calcium in the beet greens is affected by the oxalates in the greens.

So enjoy those delicious beet greens. While not a great source of calcium, they are still very nutritious, providing a rich source of antioxidant vitamins A and C, fiber, and iron.

Mary Choate, M.S., R.D.
Food and Nutrition Educator

Haggis?
Do you have Haggis, the traditional Scottish dish? (Now, or at a particular time of the year?)
—KM, via the web

I am sorry to say that we do not carry haggis. I have checked into a number of sources, but at this time haggis cannot be imported into the U.S. because of a ban involving foot and mouth disease. We are seeking a U.S.-made version, but as yet have not found one.

I would be happy to contact you if we are able to locate a supplier so that we might special order one for you.

Phil Myers
Merchandise Director

I was just wondering if you could tell me what Edamame Beans are. This recipe that I found calls for them, and I don’t know what they are or where I could find them. Whatever information you could give me would be great.
— CL, via the web

Both edamame and sweet beans are found among the organic frozen foods at the Co-op.

Edamame (eh-dah-mah-may) are immature soybeans that are still in the pod. They are the Asian answer to peanut or popcorn snacks. Lightly steamed or boiled, and with a sprinkle of salt (or not, as you prefer), the pod is gently pulled between the teeth to allow the tender, sweet beans to "pop" into your mouth. Discard the tough pod.

Sweet beans are immature soybeans that have already been removed from the pod. They are a savory-sweet and delicious side dish or addition to a salad, but not nearly as much fun to eat as edamame!

You can find a complete article on soy foods on the Co-op Food Store web site.

Mary Choate, M.S., R.D.
Food and Nutrition Educator

rBST Status

Do you know if the McNamara Dairy milk (in the glass bottles) is rBST-free?
— SB, via the web

McNamara Dairy of Plainfield, NH does not use bovine growth hormone on its cows. For a complete list of the rBGH (rBST) status of all of our dairy products, please pick up a copy of our recently updated list, available in the Dairy Departments and at the Information Desks in both food stores. The list is also available on our web site.

Rosemary Fifield
Director, Education and Member Services

Updated weekly: