Bear Creek, Wis. – If you find yourself routinely counting calories now that the warm weather's here, you might want to let Sauerkraut aid your efforts to get that summer body in better shape, a Wisconsin food expert says.

Sauerkraut – traditionally a staple of German cuisine – is fermented cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable known to provide a wonderfully tart complement to any summer food fare.

"It's a remarkably healthful and versatile food, one that fits in quite well with a low-calorie, health-conscious diet," said Ryan Downs, co-owner of Great Lakes Kraut Co. "Turkey Sauerkraut Burgers, Low-Carb Sauerkraut and Cauliflower Mash, and Tropical Surprise Salad are just a few of the tasty and healthier dishes you can make with Sauerkraut without having to count too many calories."

A one-cup serving of Sauerkraut has just 32 calories and contains no fat or cholesterol. Sauerkraut also is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, and copper.

"Sauerkraut's got necessary ingredients for keeping a summer body healthy, trim, and fit," Downs said. "Even world-famous celebrities like Heidi Klum and Halle Berry love it and hold dear their favorite Sauerkraut-related recipes. Heidi loves her grandmom's Sauerkraut Soup, and Halle has publicly shared her recipe for Sauerkraut and Kielbasa."

Recent highly publicized scientific studies like those done by researchers at Michigan State University and the University of New Mexico show that chemical compounds in Sauerkraut and cruciferous vegetables in general offer the body improved cancer-fighting abilities.

Tropical Surprise Salad is a great side dish for those lazy, leisurely days of grilling and eating summer food favorites.

"Try it," Downs said. "It'll make you feel good about eating a little healthier."

TROPICAL SURPRISE SALAD

1 ripe mango

1 can (15.25 oz.) pineapple tidbits with juice

1 cup Silver Floss® or Krrrrisp Kraut® Sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

1 jar (6 oz.) maraschino cherries, drained

Wash and peel mango. Cut flesh away from seed and cut into ½-inch cubes. In a large bowl, combine mango cubes, pineapple with juice, Sauerkraut, and cherries. Mix well. Chill before serving.

Servings: 6½-cup servings

Serving suggestions: Serve on leaf or romaine lettuce.

Silver Floss and Krrrrisp Kraut Sauerkraut, winners of the ChefsBest™ Award as America's best-tasting Sauerkraut, are manufactured by the world's largest Sauerkraut producer, Great Lakes Kraut Co., LLC, Bear Creek, Wis. With processing facilities in Bear Creek and Shortsville, N.Y. — the best cabbage growing regions in the world — the company combines modern technology and four generations of Sauerkraut-making expertise to produce the country's leading brands. Silver Floss canned and jarred Sauerkraut is found in the canned vegetable section of grocery stores in the East, South, and Midwest. Krrrrisp Kraut refrigerated Sauerkraut is located in the meat department at grocery stores nationwide. For more information about Great Lakes Kraut and its award-winning brands, visit Femi Cole is a public relations specialist for Infusion Inc. in Green Bay, Wis. He can be reached by calling (920) 435-9800, Ext. 231, or by e-mailing fcole@

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