By ilove2work
Recent dietary research has uncovered 14 different
nutrient-dense foods that time and again promote good
overall health. Coined “superfoods,” they tend to have
fewer calories, higher levels of vitamins and minerals, and
many disease-fighting antioxidants.
Beans (legumes), berries (especially blueberries), broccoli,
green tea, nuts (especially walnuts), oranges, pumpkin,
salmon. soy, spinach, tomatoes, turkey, whole grains and
oats, and yogurt can all help stop and even reverse diseases
such as hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and some
forms of cancer. And where one might have an effect on a
certain part of the body, it can also affect the health of
other body functions and performance, since the whole body
is connected. With these 14 foods as the base of a
balanced, solid diet, weight loss gimmicks and other
fly-by-night programs can become a thing of the past in your
life.
Conversely, the ill-effects of an unbalanced diet are
several and varied. Low energy levels, mood swings, tired
all the time, weight change, uncomfortable with body are
just a few signs that your diet is unbalanced. An
unbalanced diet can cause problems with maintenance of body
tissues, growth and development, brain and nervous system
function, as well as problems with bone and muscle systems.
Symptoms of malnutrition include lack of energy,
irritability, a weakened immune system leading to frequent
colds or allergies, and mineral depletion that can trigger a
variety of health concerns including anemia.
And since the body is connected, realizing that an unhealthy
body will result in an unhealthy spirit only makes sense.
When we nourish our body with these superfoods and
complement them with other nutrient-dense and healthy fresh
foods, our spirit will be vitalized and healthy as a direct
result.
Many modern diets based on prepackaged convenience foods are
sorely lacking in many vitamins and minerals, which can
affect our mental capacities as well, and cause
irritability, confusion, and the feeling of ‘being in a
fog’ all the time.
Superfoods can be the basis of a sound, healthy, nutritious
solution to curing many of these ailments and more.
7 – Superfoods that Squash Stress
Life has a way of getting the best of us some days. Whether
it’s working too many hours, shuffling your kids all over
town for their activities, taking care of your household, or
dealing with personal or family matters, stress can take its
toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and
spiritually. But there are simple steps you can take to
combat stress, starting with the foods you eat.
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a good start when life’s
particularly stressful. Stimulants and depressants like
these can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you
need to successfully cope with tension. Sugary foods should
also be avoided as well, as they cause your blood sugar
levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make
your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate.
However, there are several superfoods out there that provide
you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep
stress in check
Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out
your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in
producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good
mood.
And though we may hear negative things regarding red meat,
it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out
family. Beef’s high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins
not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay
there as well. Your local butcher can help you select lean
cuts for the healthiest options
Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium,
protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps
strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration.
Paired with a healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the
morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and
arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you.
Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when
coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps
the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your
most stressed periods.
Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming
yourself against stress. They’re high in magnesium, zinc,
as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all
which are great warriors against free radicals, which have
been shown to cause cancers and heart disease.
