What
Should I Eat?
What
are the foods that have the most health benefits? Which have the
most phytonutrients for optimizing your health?
What
can you feel good about eating that is fun AND good for you?
Green tea contains potent chemicals called polyphenols
which are powerful antioxidants and have many cancer fighting properties.
Green tea also helps lower cholesterol.
Dark chocolate also ranks high with it's antioxidant,
cholesterol-lowering and mood enhancing abilities. Lot’s of
potential for fun!
Nuts contain healthy fats, carbohydrates and fiber
that lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Nut butters make
great sauces for vegetables and for stirring into grains.
Berries have compounds called anthocyanidins which are good antioxidants
to protect cells from damage. They help with keeping blood vessels,
brain and eyes healthy.
Flax seed meal is different from flax seed oil.
There is a special type of fiber in flax meal called lignan, which
actually helps remove harmful estrogen and excess cholesterol from
the body. Flax seed meal helps control cholesterol and decreases
risks of breast and colon cancer.
Fish oil has been proven to lower the risk of heart
disease, strokes and cancer. It also helps with skin problems such
as eczema, and joint pain or other inflammation linked illnesses.
The best fish are the cold water, deep sea fish like wild salmon,
halibut and sardines. Tuna can be high in mercury, so the other
fishes are generally safer. Fish oil liquid or capsules should state
on the label that they are tested for heavy metals, PCB's, bacteria
and rancidity. Look for the highest EPA and DHA content.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener often derived from
birch trees. It doesn't affect blood sugar and remarkably lowers
the risk for tooth decay, colds and ear infections, when chewed
as gum. The powder is available to add to foods for a sweetener
alternative.
Brassica vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower,
brussel sprouts, cabbage and kale. They form a powerful anti-cancer
family of vegetables which help the body safely metabolize powerful
and potentially harmful hormones.
Garlic has long been recognized for its positive
effects on heart health through blood pressure and cholesterol lowering.
It is also an amazing antibacterial, anti-parasitic and antifungal
agent which doesn't adversely affect the good bacteria in the body
as it kills the bad bugs.
” Nan Dunne, ND rev 2007
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