Saturday, March 29, 2008

7 Super Foods You Should Be Eating

7 Super Foods You Should Be Eating
There are actually many "super foods".

Foods that are super nutritious, low in calories, improve
your overall health and help you succeed with your weight
loss plan.

The next time you're at the market, stock up on these...

Cabbage

This vegetable is a heavy component in Asian cooking and
has tons of nutrients. It contains a chemical that
increases your body's creation of enzymes that combat
damaging free radicals and can reduce your risk of cancer.

One cup of cabbage has just 72 calories, making it a fiber
rich, health food that won't expand your waistline. One
easy way to incorporate cabbage into your diet is to add it
to sandwiches and salads, replacing iceberg lettuce.

Swiss Chard

Another leafy green, this slightly salty, slightly bitter
vegetable comes from the Mediterranean. Swiss chard
provides lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect retinas from
becoming damaged.

The more lutein and zeaxanthin you consume, the more
protected your eyes will be. You can easily prepare chard
in a sauté pan or wok, adding garlic for flavor.

Guava

High in potassium, this obscure fruit is native to the
tropics. A guava actually has 63 percent more potassium
than one medium size banana. It's also high in fiber, with
nearly 9 grams of fiber to each cup of guava.

This super food is easy to prepare, you just eat it ' the
entire fruit is edible. Not every grocer will carry guava,
so try higher end grocery stores or markets that cater to
the Latin population.

Cinnamon

This is a yummy spice that can be added to your diet in a
variety of ways. You can sprinkle a little on top of your
low fat latte, add it to your cereal, or oatmeal.

Cinnamon actually helps to control blood sugar, and helps
your cells to metabolize sugar. Adults with type-2
diabetes, who consumed an average of ¼ teaspoon of
cinnamon each day for 6 weeks, experienced a decrease in
their blood sugar and their cholesterol, making cinnamon a
super healthy addition to your diet.

Pomegranate Juice

This juice has actually been linked to decreasing blood
pressure. It is high in Vitamin C and because it's a
powerful juice, you don't need much. Look for brands that
offer no added sugar.

Pumpkin Seeds

You don't have to wait for Halloween to enjoy these yummy
treats. Eat them shells and all. They are high in magnesium
and low in calories, offering a healthy form of fiber. You
can find them at the market, close to other nuts and seeds.

Prunes

They aren't just for old people. Prunes are actually dried
plums and in recent years have been marketed as such. They
are extremely high in antioxidants that help prevent cell
damage and reduce your risk of some cancers.

These super foods can easily be incorporated into your
weight loss program without sacrificing your calorie
conscious ways.

So take a few extra laps around the market next time and
throw some of these into your basket for better health!


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Debbie endeavors to encourage women to take care of their
bodies and feed their minds with good positive thoughts.
She shares her expertise on natural weight loss and
radiantly healthy living at her blog http://weonadiet.com .

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