Fig Recipes For Gut Healthy Meals And Sides

The juicy fig makes for a standout topping alongside savory foods like cheese and meat.

Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages While figs might be associated with those soft and chewy cookies your grandma likes, the truth is, these little fruits are delicious on their own and easy to incorporate into various recipes.

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 "Figs are often grouped under the fruit category, but they're technically a flower that grows inside an edible shell," May Zhu, RD, LDN of Nutrition Happens, says.

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  Figs are very sweet and soft and squishy in texture on the outside; they're a bit crunchier inside thanks to the edible seeds. They're available fresh, dried, canned or frozen.

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 You'll get nearly 4 grams of fiber — which is about 10 to 16 percent of your daily recommended amount — in two fresh figs. Our bodies need adequate amounts of fiber daily to support healthy digestion, Zhu says.

Now that you’re convinced to add these small-but-mighty edible flowers to your shopping cart, try these delicious, gut-healthy fig recipes you’ll want to make time and time again.

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Want more healthy recipes? Download the MyPlate app and get simple, tasty meals and snacks tailored to your nutrition goals.

Butternut Squash, Balsamic, Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza
Fresh ingredients like butternut squash, arugula and figs are the star of this pizza dish. Image Credit: Maggie Moon/LIVESTRONG.com Who said pizza couldn’t be a healthy lunch or dinner option? The key to getting nutrients for your pie is all in the toppings. This recipe incorporates dried figs which are cheaper and easier to find in a local grocery store, but if you’ve got fresh figs on hand, you can use those too. One slice of this fig pizza will provide you with 6 grams of fiber. Zhu recommends pairing one serving of this pizza with a salad for extra fiber and vitamins.
Advertisement Get the Butternut Squash, Balsamic, Fig, and Goat Cheese Pizza recipe and nutrition info here.
Fig-ocado Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
This pitaya smoothie bowl is both vegan and paleo-friendly. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com We’re not sure what to love more about this bowl — the gorgeous color or the fresh ingredients? “The dragon fruit provides us with antioxidants which, when consumed in adequate amounts, can support overall skin health and immunity,” Zhu says. To increase the protein in this bowl, Zhu recommends adding plain Greek yogurt or chia seeds to keep you fuller for longer.
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Balsamic Chicken and Figs
This one-pot wonder is a delicious main dish the entire family will enjoy. Image Credit: Every Last Bite You’ll love the combination of sweet figs with tangy balsamic atop this crispy chicken dish. It’s gluten and dairy-free and provides 34 grams of protein per serving. “Serve this dish alongside a source of fiber-rich carbohydrates such as quinoa or brown rice and vegetables for a balanced meal and a boost in fiber,” Zhu says.
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Sweet Potato, Fig, Blackberry Fall Salad
This seasonal salad that’s paleo and Whole30-approved is full of seasonal produce picks like sweet potato, blackberries and figs. Image Credit: Allianna’s Kitchen Salads are more fun and economical when you fill them with seasonal produce. This salad is so appropriate for fall because it’s made with sweet potato, figs and blackberries. When served alongside the salmon, this dish provides everything you need in a balanced meal including protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, fats and a variety of micronutrients, Zhu says. If you’re looking for a plant-based protein, Zhu recommends choosing a legume like chickpeas of tofu.
Advertisement Get the Sweet Potato, Fig, Blackberry Fall Salad recipe and nutrition info from Allianna’s Kitchen.
Caramelized Onion, Prosciutto and Fig Quesadilla
Put together this quick and easy quesadilla dinner when you’re in a pinch for time. Image Credit: What Should I Make For… The trio of caramelized onions, sweet figs and salty prosciutto is like a flavor bomb in each bite. “While this can be part of a balanced lifestyle, it’s important to note that prosciutto can often be higher in sodium,” Zhu warns. Pork is a good source of protein and contains important B vitamins our bodies use for energy production. To amp up the fiber content, try swapping a white tortilla with a whole-grain or grain-free option.
Advertisement Get the Caramelized Onion, Prosciutto and Fig Quesadilla recipe and nutrition info from What Should I Make For…
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With California Fig Compote and Pecans
These roasted brussels sprouts with a sweet fig compote and crunchy nuts are a perfect addition to any holiday spread. Image Credit: Naturally Ella “Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, which can help promote digestive health by feeding the beneficial bacteria in your gut,” Zhu says. This side dish can be paired with any protein of your choice, but Zhu recommends choosing proteins that are high in iron, like beef, since the vitamin C will help your body absorb the iron better. Get the Roasted Brussels Sprouts With California Fig Compote and Pecans recipe and nutrition info from Naturally Ella.
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The juicy fig makes for a standout topping alongside savory foods like cheese and meat. Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages

Want more healthy recipes? Download the MyPlate app and get simple, tasty meals and snacks tailored to your nutrition goals.

Fresh ingredients like butternut squash, arugula and figs are the star of this pizza dish.

Image Credit: Maggie Moon/LIVESTRONG.com

Get the Butternut Squash, Balsamic, Fig, and Goat Cheese Pizza recipe and nutrition info here.

This pitaya smoothie bowl is both vegan and paleo-friendly.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com

Get the Fig-ocado Pitaya Smoothie Bowl recipe and nutrition info here.

This one-pot wonder is a delicious main dish the entire family will enjoy.

Image Credit: Every Last Bite

Get the Balsamic Chicken and Figs recipe and nutrition info from Every Last Bite.

This seasonal salad that's paleo and Whole30-approved is full of seasonal produce picks like sweet potato, blackberries and figs.

Image Credit: Allianna’s Kitchen

Get the Sweet Potato, Fig, Blackberry Fall Salad recipe and nutrition info from Allianna’s Kitchen.

Put together this quick and easy quesadilla dinner when you're in a pinch for time.

Image Credit: What Should I Make For…

Get the Caramelized Onion, Prosciutto and Fig Quesadilla recipe and nutrition info from What Should I Make For…

These roasted brussels sprouts with a sweet fig compote and crunchy nuts are a perfect addition to any holiday spread.

Image Credit: Naturally Ella

Get the Roasted Brussels Sprouts With California Fig Compote and Pecans recipe and nutrition info from Naturally Ella.