There are ordinary foods and then there are super foods. You know, the ones your body needs to fight diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Super foods are foods jam-packed with nutrients and other agents that help combat disease and aging. We could all use a dose of super foods on occasion. Super foods also help boost your energy and help you feel great.
Super foods for Stress, Beauty and Aging
Life is stressful. Fortunately super foods are the perfect accompaniment to a stressful life. Certain foods can boost your energy and help you combat stress. They can also combat many of the side effects of stress, like fatigue, low energy and weight gain. Most of the
super foods below will also help improve your skin, reduce your blood cholesterol and decrease your risk of disease in general.
Here is a sample of some of the best foods for fighting illness, aging and stress:
Asparagus - Asparagus contains folic acid. B vitamins like folic acid help regulate our moods. Our body needs folic acid to help make serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps us feeling bright and alert.
Lean beef - Lean beef contains multiple vitamins including iron, B vitamins and zinc. Together these vitamins work together to improve your mood. Some people shy away from beef because of the fat content. Just remember to buy lean cuts of meat to reap the nutritional benefits without all the fat.
Milk - Milk contains B vitamins, calcium and protein to help stabilize your mood and fight stress.
Yogurt and Cottage Cheese - These two dairy foods contain a good amount of high quality protein and calcium. They help fight stress by maintaining your energy levels throughout the day. Yogurt also contains good bacteria that help promote the natural balance of flora in your colon and reproductive tract.
Blueberries and Raspberries - Berries are jam-packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber. These substance work tougher to keep you feeling great every day.
Broccoli - Broccoli contains valuable vitamins and nutrients including fiber, vitamins K and C, beta-carotene and calcium. Some studies support consumption of broccoli to reduce your risk of cancer.
Oats - Oats are high in fiber and other nutrients like potassium, zinc, copper and magnesium. Some studies suggest that oatmeal may reduce your risk of high cholesterol.
Oil fish - Oily fishes, including salmon and tuna, contain omega-3 fatty acids. These helpful substances help keep your cholesterol down and help support proper brain function.
Tomatoes - Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. This substance helps fight cancer.
Walnuts - Like fish, walnuts contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts also contain fiber, protein and vitamins B and E.
Barley - Barley is high in fiber and helps your body metabolize fats and cholesterol. You can use barley as a grain or as a breakfast cereal.
Chili peppers - Hot peppers contain loads of antioxidants and vitamin C. Not a fan of spicy foods? Bell peppers offer the same benefits!
Spinach - Popeye was right! This green vegetable is a powerhouse of vitamins including antioxidants, folate and omega-3 fatty acids.
Of course, it is important that you eat a wide variety of foods in your diet. Apart from these 'super foods' there are dozens of other foods that are equally valuable for our bodies. In general our bodies need a diverse selection of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables to work optimally.
Tips For Incorporating Super Foods Into Your Diet
We get into the habit of eating the same foods over and over again, whether out of convenience of fatigue. Doing so however can drastically impact your health and well-being. While it may seem difficult to drastically change your diet, you can make some simple changes that will improve your health dramatically. Here are some tips for incorporating each of the super foods into your diet easily and efficiently.
Start out small. You don't have to start eating all the super foods listed above every day to realize the health benefits these foods have to offer. If you aren't already eating some of these foods regularly, gradually add two super foods into your diet each week.
Add foods a fun way. You don't have to eat plan blueberries to reap their benefits. Why not mix blueberries in a shake that includes some ice, yogurt, blueberries and bananas? You can include spinach and broccoli in a lasagna recipe.
Eat all foods in moderation. You don't have to act like Popeye and eat spinach three meals a day to benefit. One serving of spinach a day or even every few days will provide you with tremendous benefits.
Get creative. If you have a pretty bland diet, consider buying an easy, no-frills cookbook to expand your creativity.
Eat six mini meals every day. If you eat six mini meals instead of three large ones, not only will you have more opportunities to include a diverse selection of foods in your diet, you'll also boost your metabolism.
Prepare foods ahead of time. Most of us eat poorly because we lack time. Pick one day of the week to cook several meals and freeze them in suitable portion sizes.
Remember, we only have one body to live in. We might as well do everything we can to keep it in tip-top shape. By eating super foods every week, you'll improve your energy and your outlook on life!
