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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

10 Superfoods You need to EAT RIGHT NOW for health, energy and longevity


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Superfoods
seems to be the big buzz word dominating the holistic nutrition field. Superfoods are foods that ounce for ounce pack the most nutritional value for your daily needs for antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Most are plant based and therefore will also supply you with Phytochemicals, which are particular antioxidant rich substances exclusively found in plants.

Superfoods also provide pure source nutrition meaning that you are not getting segmented nutrients such as those found in multi vitamin and minerals substance. With Superfoods you get the vitamins and all the other components you need to absorb, assimilate and metabolize them.

My motto for nutrition is : Food First, Supplements Secondary


So eat whole foods, mainly fruits and vegetables at every meal. This provides the solid foundation for getting the fuel your body needs to stay energized, young and brimming with health.

Then only use supplements to fill in the gaps on days when you can't get all the foods you need. Or if you have a particular ailment or disease then supplementation becomes more critical. But again a clean diet is first and the foundation for any therapy or protocol you adopt.

10 Superfoods You Must Include in Your Diet:


1) Kale
By far one of the best green leafy vegetables you can consume. High in phytochemical power, antioxidants particularly beta carotene and Vitamin C. It is rich in fiber and contains sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.

2) Berries Contain some of the highest amounts of antioxidants of all foods. They are low in sugar, and high in fiber making them very carb friendly especially for those suffering with diabetes or insulin resistance.

3) Flax Oil and Flaxseeds:
Flax is brimming with a powerhouse of phytochemicals called lignans. Lignans are powerful antioxidants that have been proven to fight breast cancer in numerous medical studies. Flaxseed is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids which assist in the reduction of inflammation and also in the prevention of heart disease. Buy whole seeds and grind them just before you sprinkle them on salads, soups, oatmeal and rice.

4) Broccoli
A cruciferous vegetable and huge cancer fighter. It also contains sulforaphane and helps in the prevention of cancer and degenerative disease.

5) Garlic
A powerful antioxidant that contains a potent component called allicin. Has been proven to fight and treat colds providing the same action of antibiotics without all the nasty side effects :) Helps lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and increase overall immunity.

6) Cinnamon,Tumeric, Ginger, Basil
These are the powerhouse herbs you should be using daily when cooking your delicious and healthy meals. All are warming, full of antioxidants and pure cancer fighters! They also help clean the blood, and act as detoxifiers for the whole body. Ginger is particularly useful for digestion and will help relieve digestive upset. Cinnamon has been proven to regulate sugar and thus keeps insulin at balanced levels. Tumeric is the powerhouse of anti inflammatory action for the whole body. Tumeric also has been studied for its effects on the prevention of degenerative disease.

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7) Quinoa
This is the new oatmeal. Its even better than those scottish oats you've been eating. It has NO GLUTEN, higher in PROTEIN, easily digestible, a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and cooks in less time! Will provide lasting energy for workouts or just long hectic days.

8) Artichokes
Artichokes are one of the best foods for making your liver happy. They help with bile production and overall detoxification of the liver. They are also considered great blood cleansers. Artichokes contain bitter properties that help the body also digest, break down and assimilate the food you eat. They are high in fiber, iron, antioxidants and minerals.

9) Sweet potatoes
One of the best sources of clean unprocessed carbs you can include in your daily diet. They are a rich source of beta carotene which is one of the biggest powerhouse antioxidants out there. They are easily digested and provide fiber and thus are lower than white potatoes in terms of the glycemic index. Great for a post workout meal to refuel your glycogen needs.

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10) Onions:
Onions contain as much as 150 phytochemicals. In particular quercetin a flavnoid, helps eliminate free radicals in the body, protects and regenerates Vitamin E, and helps reduce cholesterol. Onions help build up the blood and overall immunity function. Great for prevention of colds, flus, and overall detoxification.


Time to get cooking!

Love and Light

Piera

2 comments:

  1. Piera, what's the source for this?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome, I love SuperFoods, and there's a section in my upcoming book devoted to it's strongest proponent, David Wolfe, who's also massively responsible for the Raw movement and Organic chocolate.

    ReplyDelete