Tomato, herb and lime salsa recipe

If you’re looking for a versatile healthy salsa recipe, then this tomato, herb and lime salsa ticks that box for sure. It’s scummy, too, so put the ingredients on your shopping list and be sure to try it out.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Though technically a fruit, tomatoes are usually found in savoury dishes and should be praised for their versatility as well as the array of health benefits they have to offer. So, why are tomatoes so great for you?

Vitamins

Just one tomato contains almost half of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C, which is needed to protect the cells throughout your body, keep your skin, blood vessels and bones healthy and to help heal wounds. In addition, many people believe that a decent amount of Vitamin C can help to ward off colds and other viruses.

Antioxidants

Tomatoes also lycopene – this is an antioxidant and the reason for a tomato’s vibrant red colour.

When it comes to the benefits of this pigment, many attest that it can improve heart health, and some even believe it will protect the body against certain types of cancer.

Lycopene, along with beta-carotene and lutein, also helps keep vision healthy and protect against certain eye conditions, such as cataracts.

Digestion

Given the amount of fibre and fluid found in tomatoes, they are known to promote a healthy digestive system. In particular, those people who suffer from constipation have found the addition to or increase of tomatoes in their diet to be beneficial.

Though, do be careful if you suffer from acid reflux or indigestion, as the acidity that comes from cooked tomatoes in something like this healthy salsa recipe can make these conditions worse.

To Dip or Not to Dip?

It wasn’t until I began writing this that I realised that this healthy salsa recipe is basically a staple sauce and dip within my household. While I do enjoy using it in an intended way – to dip yummy things into and make them even yummier, such as carrot sticks, wedged of cucumber, mini breadsticks and even florets of raw broccoli and cauliflower – I also like to use it alongside a starter or even main course.

For me, it’s perfect as a second dip alongside a yoghurt one with my homemade falafel recipe. Ok, so it might not be sticking with the traditional flavour combinations of this dish, but it is tasty, so I don’t really care!

My family love this salsa alongside the KFC fake-away as it actually as it adds another tangy dimension, especially if I’ve not followed the spicing instructions quite right (this often happens when I’m in a rush – you’d think I’d have it down by now!).

Are dips healthy on a diet?

Homemade dips like this are great for a diet but of course, it also comes down to what you are dipping in them. No amount of this salsa will counteract all the calories in a family size bag of crisps!

Other recipes you might enjoy

If you like dips then be sure to check out my dip directory full of all my tasty dip recipes perfect for any BBQ or party! The selection includes a vegan red pepper dip, spicy lentil dip, coleslaw, and red pepper houmous.

You might also like to check my BBQ guide and see if there are any new BBQ foods you might not have considered before like falafel burgers, pork burgers, cajun chicken and sticky chicken. I also have a guide to healthy meat choices if that helps too.

If you go to a Slimming World group and need ideas for foods for a taster session or perhaps you are organising a healthy party then this article has lots of good ideas you may find helpful!

A few other recipes I think you will love are:

Tomato and mozzarella salad

Bruschetta pasta salad

5 homemade salad dressings

Homemade hash browns

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