Top Ten Power Packed Foods
What is the secret to a long and healthy life? It is in the food that we eat. As you well know, all foods are not created
equal. Choosing and eating the right
foods may help increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your
life.
Here are ten of the top power packed foods designed
to give you energy, vitality and all around good health!
1. Beans
If they give
you gas, take precautions before you eat them.
Soaking them first can help.
Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high
in protein. This is plant protein so it
contains very little fat, curbs and calories.
If fibre is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans
each day can keep your digestive system healthy.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is coming into popularity as a food that
lowers blood cholesterol. You can make
it yourself with rolled oats or eat the instant kind if you are in a
hurry. Oatmeal is a filling grain that
also provides much needed fibre to keep hunger at bay and your blood sugar
constant.
3. Fruits
Fruits are
filled with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and A. Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the
body and reduce the risk of cancer.
Berries such as blueberries and grapes have the highest amount of
antioxidants. But choose an array of
fruits in a wide variety of colours for maximum health. The antioxidants in fruit boost the immune
system to fight the effects of aging in the body.food for brain power
4. Alliums foods
This class of
foods includes garlic, onions, leeks and shallots. Garlic is known for lowering
cholesterol. Alliums vegetables help
guard the body against the risk of cancer and many other ailments. They also help lower blood pressure and
prevent blood clots. Eating these power
packed vegetables in their natural state especially garlic increases their health
benefits.
5. Salmon
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the
risk of heart disease and other conditions like atherosclerosis. Wild salmon is a fatty fish but it contains good
fats that have been proven to improve health in children and adults. Salmon is rich in protein which is of great
use after an exercise session to build muscle tissue.
6. Flax seed
Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9
fatty acids. You get a lot of power to
fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this seed. Ground flax seed can be added to fruit
smoothes, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix to
name a few.
7. Peppers
Peppers are colourful. They contain antioxidants like beta-carotene
and Vitamin C. Peppers range from mild
and sweet to so hot you’ll be calling the fire department. All peppers contain a substance called
capsaicin. Capsaicin has the properties
of an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, lowers cancer risk and heart
disease. They are good in salads, salsa
and all sorts of dishes.
8. Nuts and seeds
Nuts are high
in fat but those fats are the good kind.
Peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers
of good fats and protein. Crush them
into a fine powder and use as a coating instead of higher crab bread
crumbs. Nuts help to lower
cholesterol. Eat them right out of the
shell with no additives.
9. Açai
This berry has been in the news lately. It is rich in antioxidants and increases
energy. You can get more done and look
better while doing it. You can get Acai
juice and supplements in your health food store.
10. Yogurt
The fat free
variety is good for you. Yogurt contains
calcium, Vitamin B, and protein. If you
don’t drink milk, yogurt is an alternative to get your calcium in to build strong
bones and teeth. Live yogurt also
contains friendly bacteria to help promote a healthy digestive system.
Building a better healthier body begins with what
you eat. Try these super foods to get
started on the right foot.
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