Tomatoes … With Benefits

Although this purports to be a serious consumer column, even a dietitian likes to think outside the five-a-day box every once in a while.

We were recently asked, “Which could be better for you, an orange-juiced based Mimosa or a tomato-juice based Bloody Mary?”

Far be it from a member of the nutrition establishment to enter into such a frivolous debate, but now that you are asking – based on the science of the day if we are referring to a small-ish, traditionally-prepared cocktail – each has about the same number of calories, around 200 (without refills). A Bloody Mary has less sugar and so it may be possible that a person would sip a Bloody Mary, rather than quickly swigging down a sweet-ish Mimosa, thus acquiring less calories per session. Sugar, found in higher amounts in a Mimosa, can cause dehydration, a rapid spike in blood sugar and possibly a headache.

The usually-accepted main ingredients in a Bloody Mary are tomato juice, horseradish, some form of hot sauce and fresh celery. So, we’re talking Vitamin C from the tomato juice, antioxidants from the horseradish and hot sauce, plus fiber and potassium from the celery. Beyond curing a hangover, a Bloody Mary could have some (just some) heart-healthy, skeleton-strengthening, immune-boosting components – especially if you leave out the vodka (!).

Some food scientist feels that a processed tomato, such as found in tomato juice, may actually release more of its nutrients than a fresh tomato. So, rather than microwave a slice of tomato, consider tomato juice! About eight ounces of tomato juice, depending on the brand, has approximately 70 percent of daily Vitamin C needs, about 20 percent of Vitamin A and small amounts of Vitamin E, K and some of the B complex (such as thiamine, niacin and B6). A stalk of celery has a small amount of calcium, iron, potassium, fiber, beta-carotene and Vitamin A. Some Bloody Mary mixes can be high in sodium, so, perhaps “home-made” might be a better choice. If a bit less sodium is desired, taste-test lower sodium tomato juice or V-8.

The Bloody Mary may be one of the more complex cocktails to concoct. The ingredients need to be added in a particular order, such as hot sauce prior to lemon juice, to have the flavors balanced “just so.”

 So now that we have established, that, on occasion, a Bloody Mary might be part of a nutritious day, let’s explore what some establishments are doing to “value-add” to the traditional Bloody Mary.

Mr. and Mrs. T is a traditional Bloody Mary mix. The company’s website suggests a recipe for a “surf and turf” Mary which recommends rimming the glass with crushed bacon bits, chili and pepper and garnishing with a selection of jalapeno slices, shrimp or crab claw, slice of thick bacon or a beef rib and green olives. The Garden Guacamary is garnished with avocado, cucumber, radishes, onion and cilantro and has a dash of carrot juice.

The Nook, in Atlanta, GA, offers a Bloody Best, a meal in a glass. The 32-ounce drink is at the bottom of the glass, garnished, on top, with pepperoncini’s, jalapenos, tater tots, steak, a slice of toast and a hard-boiled egg. Please do not ask for a nutritional breakdown…

Milwaukee seems to have changed their quaff of choice from locally-brewed beer to Bloody Marys. O’Davey’s Irish Pub has an “ Incredible Hulk” Mary. It may take some time to get to the actual beverage, as it is topped with sausage, hamburger, bacon, cheese, a hot dog, pickles, pretzels, popcorn and nachos. Sobelman’s Pub, also in Milwaukee, has been known to offer the Chicken Fried Bloody Mary, with olives, onion, pickle, cheese, sausage, mushrooms, green onion, shrimp, tomato, celery, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, two skewers of bacon-wrapped jalapeno cheeseballs and an entire fried chicken.

Closer to home, in La Mesa and Chula Vista, California, The Farmer’s Table restaurant offers a Barn Yard Mary. This “ brunch in a mug” comes with multiple skewers of roasted seasonal veggies (zucchini, peppers, stuffed mushroom caps), tomato and mozzarella, pickled veggies (pepperoncini, olives and onions) bacon wrapped shrimp, Mexican street corn, fennel sausage and, yes, a whole chicken – .roasted this time. If you are feeling a little less adventurous, there is the Peter Rabbit Mary with grilled seasonal vegetables, cheese stuffed mushroom caps and assorted mixed veggies. Feeling more keto? Sample the Butcher Block Mary, with BBQ seasoning and bacon rim, sage fennel sausage, braised short rib and a BBQ drizzle. Looking for some spice with your Mary? Try the Tijuana Maria with a bacon-wrapped hot dog, Mexican street corn, pickled jalapeños and carrots, jalapeño vodka and a packet of Tapatio sauce.

We are purposely avoiding the mention of the “best Bloody Mary in Long Beach,” as we know where that will get us. We know you will do a scientific study, limited to one cocktail and paired with a nice healthy salad.

Please reach out to Nancy at foodprof2@gmail.com with any questions or ideas for future health/consumer articles