Last week we told you about the seven
nutritious foods: beans, blueberries, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin and wild salmon. Now here’s seven more nutrition powerhouses to consider building into your eating patterns:
SOY—a high-quality plant protein full of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids and phyto-estrogens. Soy prevents cardiovascular disease, cancer, age-related dementia and osteoporosis. It relieves menopausal and menstrual symptoms and boosts the immune system.
SPINACH—contains a synergy of multiple nutrients and phyto-nutrients. This vegetable (and it’s cousins kale, collards, Swiss Chard, mustard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, romaine lettuce), prevents cardiovascular disease and a host of cancers (including colon, lung, skin, oral, stomach, ovarian prostate and breast). Spinach also prevents age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
GREEN TEA—even the non-caffeine type is cram-packed full of flavonoids and fluoride. It lowers blood pressure, prevents cancer and osteoporosis and lowers the risk for stroke. Green tea promotes overall health, prevents cataracts, contributes to daily fluid needs, fights internal inflammation, cavities and allergies.
TOMATOES—bursting with vitamins B and C and lycopene (which reduces oxidative cell damage and protects the skin against the ravages of the sun). They reduce the risk of cancer, protect the skin, prevent macular degeneration and lower cholesterol.
TURKEY (skinless breast)—a low-fat protein that provides niacin, B vitamins, iron, selenium and zinc. Turkey promotes heart health, lowers the risk of cancers, promotes wound healing and healthy immune functions.
WALNUTS—loaded with plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids and plant sterols that fight oxidative cell damage, phyto-nutrients that reduce cholesterol and fight cancer. Walnuts (as well as almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, pecans, hazelnuts and cashews), significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and a host of other chronic ailments.
YOGURT—a complete protein that contains live cultures, calcium, B vitamins and probiotics. This jewel of a food promotes multiple immune-stimulating activities inside and outside the gastrointestinal tract. It prevents infection and absorbs mutagens that cause cancer. Probiotics alleviate atopic eczema and milk allergies. It helps irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea. On top of all this, it also decreases yeast and urinary tract infections!
The 14 Super Foods information comes from Dr. Steven Pratt, M.D. and the booklet “Fresh Express.” Dr. Pratt says that by making these foods part of our regular eating habits, we can actually change the course of our biochemistry and stop the incremental changes in our bodies that lead to diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cancers, obesity and Alzheimer’s. Doesn’t it inspire hope to know that we can do so much to enhance our own health? And here’s the ultra cool part: there are NO negative side affects to deal with! Super Foods here we come!
