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Nutrition
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While proper nutrition is an absolute and essential prerequisite for healthy living, standards for well-balanced, adequate nourishment of the body and its parts is a major concern for people throughout the world. Whether we are trying to lose weight or just trying to stay healthy, we obsess over the food we eat. How many calories, fat grams, carbohydrates, and on and on until many of us simply give up. The best thing we can do to win the battle between ourselves and the isles of junk food that line the shelves of the grocery store is to educate ourselves about which foods we want to eat and what purpose that they serve. Below is a list of some foods that are not only nutritious but have added values as well.
Cantaloupe: Most of the time when we think of melons we think of a type of fruit that is less healthy than more traditional fruits, like an apple or an orange. However, it depends on what nutritional benefits that you are seeking. Half of a cantaloupe actually has twice the vitamin c that is recommended as a daily dose, and on top of that is full of beta carotene. And a cantaloupe isn’t what you typically think of when you need to boost your potassium but surprisingly you’ll find more than twice the amount of potassium than is in a banana!
Figs: Dried figs are a portable snack that is also a good source of potassium. High in fiber, these snacks aid in digestion and can even put you in a better mood. Don’t believe it? Figs are high in vitamin B6 which helps to boost levels of serotonin! Put all this together with the cholesterol lowering effects and the reduction in water retention, and you have the perfect snack that has a lot more nutrition than any “nutrition” bar.
Spinach: Popeye must have known his stuff because not only does it build muscle but spinach is high in lutein which can fight off the loss of eye sight or even blindness due to a condition known as macular degeneration which typically happens in the elderly but is not unheard of in younger adults. Want to maintain your youthful appearance? Spinach has been shown to reduce the signs of aging as well.
Garlic: Not only is it tasty to cook with, but garlic does wonders for your overall health. High levels of sulfur found in garlic have been shown to lower the bad type of cholesterol (LDL). Even more surprising is it’s ability to lower blood pressure and some research is being conducted that shows it’s ability to ward off certain types of cancers such as colon or stomach cancer.
Pinto Beans: These little brown beans are a powerhouse for folate. Pinto beans provide you with about one fourth of the recommended amount of folate and this is so important for those who are looking out for their unborn babies. That’s right, the folate found in pinto beans has been shown to reduce the occurrence of birth defects. And we mustn’t forget the heart healthy benefits found in pinto beans.
Milk: We all know that skim milk is good for us. But do you know why? It’s not just for bones! Riboflavin found in milk is good for vision, And if you have eczema, you might benefit from the vitamin A found in milk. Don’t forget about all the vitamin D found in milk as well.
Salmon and Tuna: These fish are treasure chests full of the hard to find omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are critical in keeping your heart healthy. Cardiac disease is on the rise in this country, and by simply eating a diet rich in salmon and tuna, you can reduce your risk significantly. Also, consider the low calorie count for these fish. They both have very little calories when compared to a more fatty meat such as beef or chicken.
It is important to remember that the best nutrition is found in natural foods rather than processed ones. Vary your diet to include foods that you normally don’t get a chance to eat. And lastly, eat with a purpose, rather than a hobby or habit. |
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