Smart food choices are great for you as well as everyone you cook for. Nutritious food can have far reaching positive effects on your health. Here are some especially powerful foods that everyone can benefit from consuming. Their nutritious qualities will promote optimal health for your body and will help you feel great inside and out.
Save Your Skin
There are many foods that have a nutritional profile that makes them excellent for supporting skin health. Oranges are just one of the many foods that can help make your skin glow. They are full of hydrating moisture as well as vitamin C which supports collagen production. Avocados have healthy fats that help in skin friendly vitamin absorption.
Go for the Low
Low glycemic foods like oatmeal and whole grain products are great for anyone who is at a risk of developing diabetes. The low glycemic component of these foods keeps blood sugar levels down by reducing the amount of insulin needed to process glucose in the body. Less spikes in glucose mean the pancreas does not have to work as hard and insulin resistance is less likely. Those who adopt a low glycemic approach often find that they lose weight and reduce inflammation.
Plan for More Plants
The more you can place emphasis on plant-based foods, the better. Eating habits that place plant-based foods as a priority are often a catalyst to good health. The Hampton Creek company is taking their plant-based food products on a large scale so that everyone can have an economical alternative to foods based on animal products.
Spice Things Up
Seasonings can also help your body to be its best. Here are two examples why it is good to spice things up. Cinnamon is a tropical evergreen bark that is high in antioxidants. It actually is a great source of iron, calcium, and manganese. Cinnamon has been proven to reduce inflammation, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Try mixing this spice in with your peanut butter or sprinkling it on carrots for a change of pace. It has natural antibacterial qualities as well.
Cilantro is an herb that is high in vitamin C and rich in vitamin A, both of which are great for eye and skin health. It is also the best herbal source of vitamin K with one serving providing over 200 percent of your daily recommendation. Vitamin K is known for its superior bone building properties as well as a treatment for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease by limiting damage to brain neurons.
Surf the Superfood Trends
Better than following a fashion trend that turns out to be disastrous when you try it on, superfood trends are great to stay up on. Kale has had its moment recently, and now cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are having their day. A flurry of interest in a vegetable has almost every cooking show explaining a new way to prepare it Rather than being extreme or harmful, following these veggies in the foodie spotlight can impart a lot of creative ways to prepare these vegetables that are getting their 15 minutes of fame.
Heart Health Hits
When it comes to heart health, a variety of foods can help optimize a good working environment for your ticker. The heart helper omega–3 is high in herring, salmon, trout, and tuna. For an omega-3 boost while snacking, try nuts like walnuts or almonds.
Phytonutrients are another important component for heart health. They optimize cell signaling pathways in the body. When cells can signal one another well, inflammation is decreased and cell detoxification can work its best. Phytonutrients also increase the production of blood vessel relaxing nitric oxide, and prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol. These type of nutrients also support a healthy immune system. Good sources of phytonutrients are all kinds of berries, carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and pumpkin.
If you really want to make your eating habits a heart health hit, go for a home run with flaxseeds. This food is a great source of omega-3, phytonutrients, and fiber. You can integrate flaxseeds into your diet by sprinkling ground flaxseeds on your oatmeal or salad, as well as putting it in baked items such as breads and muffins.
In general, eating fruits and vegetables instead of inflammation producing processed foods will promote the best health possible for you. By focusing on the most nutritious fruits and vegetables, you can maximize the benefits you receive from your healthy lifestyle.
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