We hear a lot about fitness and health at this time of the year. Sometimes it can be overwhelming and things get muddy . . . should we eat eggs, should we not, does our cholesterol really matter, or is it in the genes that we were born with and cannot control? Should we take supplements or get our nutrients naturally, through the food God gave us? Should we splurge on organic or does it really matter? If you are confused at times, you’re in the same boat as me! Let me urge you to be diligent in finding the answers to your questions. You and your family’s health matters!
However, there are lists of “superfoods” out there that are hard to argue their value. One definition is that “a superfood is one which has high concentrations of essential nutrients with proven health benefits, with few properties generally considered to be negative”. If you google the words “superfoods” you will get many lists, but they are usually pretty similar, or at least have common denominators! If you can incorporate these foods into your daily diet more often, I believe you will reap amazing benefits. God has given us wonderful foods and sources for the nutrients that we need, we just need to know how to find them, as the American diet has moved quite a ways from a “natural” approach. I believe that what we eat today can have an astounding effect on how we feel not only today, but in the future!
I will give you my personal top 10 list of wonderful, common, easy to find “superfoods” and want to encourage you to make them a part of your diet. It’s one more way to make small changes that will last for a lifetime. Finding creative ways to incorporate them into your diet will keep it interesting so that you don’t get bored with them. And by all means, expand your list, by researching and experimenting with other foods.
1. Almonds (or more generally, most nuts and seeds) – watch serving size….a little goes a long way!2. Avocados – chop, sprinkle with a little sea salt and lemon juice and you have a tasty, healthy accompaniment for many dishes, or to just eat for a snack with a few whole grain chips!3. Beans and lentils – try to add them into soups, Mexican dishes, etc. for variety!4. Blueberries – probably the most often cited “superfood” because they are among the best source of antioxidants, but all berries can make this list!5. Broccoli – There are so many ways to incorporate broccoli into your diet. Get creative! All other leafy greens could have made this list as well!6. Cacao or dark chocolate – Another high antioxidant food! Look for at least 75% cacao. Cook with it or add it to your coffee in the morning. Snicker bars are not equivalent to this! J Sorry!7. Eggs – To answer the question about eggs earlier, the fact that they made my list shows the result of my research on them. I opt for the Omega 3 eggs…..more expensive, yes, but worth the investment.8. Wild salmon – Another delicious food that is rich in Omega 3 fats.9. Tea (green or black) – Here’s one that has no calories, you can drink it all day long if you want and the benefits are amazing! (Just make sure it’s caffeine free!)10. Yogurt – The probiotic and digestive benefits are what yogurt is widely known for. Opt for the now very popular “Greek” yogurt for an extra helping of protein. *Tip – If you must take an antibiotic for something, go to the health food store and buy a strong probiotic to counter the effects of the antibiotic, which kills the good bacteria along with the bad. But for daily maintenance, yogurt is a great source!
I had a hard time stopping at just ten! There are so many great, healthy foods, that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The older I become, the more "healthy" foods I find that I love and wish that I had discovered them earlier in life. If you are trying to make the switch and go healthier this year, start with some of these "powerhouse" foods and begin reaping the benefits. I am very confident that when you get back to tasting food the way God intended for it to taste, you won't be satisfied with anything else!
No comments:
Post a Comment