What is the secret to a long and healthy life? A big part of it is in the food that we eat. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. As you may well know, all foods are not created equal.
If you eat well you can more than likely expect your body to respond well and when you do not make good food choices, you can more than likely expect your body to behave negatively.
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, so eat up!
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 a plant protein, so it contains very little fat, carbohydrates and calories.
If fibre is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy. Beans can be prepared and added to recipes in a wide variety of ways from soups to salads.
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.
If you are worried about too much sugar in the instant type you can also opt for the instant plain oatmeal and add your own sweetener.
Oatmeal is a filling grain that also provides much-needed fibre to keep hunger at bay and your blood sugar constant. You can also add to recipes like meatloaf, cookies or muffins.
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 ageing in the body.
4. Allium Foods
This class of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks and shallots. Garlic is known for lowering cholesterol.
Allium 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.
They are also quite tasty and a staple in most of our dishes. Eating healthy never tasted so good
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, flax seed 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 when you eat these seeds.
Ground flax seed can easily be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yoghurt, eaten with cereal or even added to pancake or muffin mix to name a few.
7. Peppers
Peppers contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Peppers come in several colours and range from mild and sweet to sooooooo hot you will be calling the fire department for assistance.
All peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. Capsaicin has the properties of an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, and lowers cancer risk and heart disease. They are good raw in salads, and salsa and taste wonderful cooked too.
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 them as a coating instead of higher-carb bread crumbs if you like.
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 Açai juice and supplements in your health food store.
10. Yogurt
The fat-free variety is good for you. Yoghurt contains calcium, Vitamin B, and protein.
If you don’t drink milk, yoghurt is an alternative to get your calcium in to build strong bones and teeth. Live yoghurt also contains friendly bacteria to help promote a healthy digestive system. If you don't eat dairy there are soy alternatives.
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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