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These days we are subjected to a lot more stress than it used to in the past and all this takes a toll on our body and mind.
Stress at work, in relationships, and financial matters can rob our peace of mind and curb our appetite. We seem to have time for almost everything on earth but ourselves. We tend to neglect that one person called ‘us’ until the time comes to see the doctor and follow a prescription.
An apple a day keeps a doctor away! Remember? It holds true for people of all ages. Just eating food is not enough, because all that you eat is not going to give you the required nutrition for your body.
So, keep a check on what you eat and when you are at the grocers make sure you buy what’s good for your health. In this book we will tell you about the ‘superfoods’ that you must eat to ensure that you have a healthy body inside out.
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Superfoods are the healthiest food in the planet, and that’s why they are called so in the health food industry. They refer to the type of food that are high in nutrients and significantly low in calorie; so when you consume superfoods you get more of the ‘good part’ minus the negatives.
As there are no magic health pills that you can pop and turn into a super healthy individual, the superfoods are the best bet to pave your way to good health.
Several organizations have conducted research and studies based on different types of superfoods and we will be learning more about them in the upcoming chapters. According to the American Cancer Society, the superfoods contain high amounts of antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of diseases like cancer.
What Are The Different Types Of Superfoods?
Superfoods mainly consist of organic vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins A, C, K, E, B vitamins, calcium, fiber, folate and antioxidants. Besides these, other foods like yogurt, salmon, and barley also come under this category.
As we proceed through this book, we will also be discussing about some surprising superfoods that we usually consider as “not so healthy” but they actually contain several health benefits not known widely to man.
According to World’s Healthiest Foods, berries, goji berries specifically are known to be the best kind of fruit because they contain high amounts of disease-fighting antioxidants.
As different vegetables and frits contain different varieties of vitamins and minerals, dieticians and nutritional experts recommend that you consume varieties of foods to get all the nutrition required.
Many people tend to adapt an “all or nothing” attitude to nutrition however this is not the right thing to do. The key is to eat a balanced amount of as many superfoods as you can in your daily diet.
We would recommend that you try consuming at least three servings of fruits and vegetables every day, one serving of yogurt daily, and at least two servings of fish in a week.
Is Health Preparation The Key?
When it comes to consuming superfoods; the key lies in eating them fresh, when they are prepared in a healthy way. At the time of purchasing superfoods from the store, make sure you pick only the fresh ones rather than the canned fruits.
Also, don’t add any sugar while consuming them. The best way to eat fruits is to have them raw without any unhealthy dressing or dips such as blue cheese or ranch.
I know it tastes heavenly when you add a blob of cheese to your fruit salad; however this would nullify the whole purpose of eating healthy food and add on to your waist line and health problems.
So, say no to dips and cheese and treat yourself with fresh and juicy fruits instead! You may try a healthier alternative such as adding some honey to your fruits to enhance the taste.
Superfoods should always be consumed in their organic and raw form because years of research have proved that living and organic form of foods are richer in their vitamin and mineral content, enzymes, co-enzymes, glyconutrients, and other important nutrients.
What’s interesting is that these superfoods require no artificial fertilizers or chemicals as they have a natural life-force and inner vitality.
When preparing superfoods like barley and salmon, make sure you use olive oil for cooking, instead of butter. Finally, there are several types of yoghurt that are added with sugar and preservatives. You may add low-fat or no-fat yoghurt or honey to your food to give it a touch of natural sweetness.
What Are The Health Benefits?
Superfoods are known to offer an array of health benefits that are exclusive to them. They form a major point of nutrition mainly because they help nourish almost every part of your body including hair, heart, bones, muscles, liver, kidneys, skin, nail, reproductive systems, pancreas, immune system, and so on.
As these foods are low in calories and high in nutrients, they aid in boosting your weight management efforts, and help you lose weight. As these foods are high in fiber they also promote a good immune system. They also contain calcium which is good for your bones and omega-3 fatty acids that keeps the heart healthy.
Superfoods Help To Detox?
Superfoods also help you detoxify and the transition to healthy foods is made easy. You no more need to consume dead minerals and vitamin supplements as the superfoods give you an incredible source for a balanced diet that can help you stay healthy and strong.
With the rising popularity of superfoods, some manufacturers are introducing a plethora of supplements in the market that mimic the effects of super foods. However, consumers should be careful when purchasing such stuff because not all supplements are administered by the FDA, and they might pose health risks not known to you.
If you are a professional or amateur bodybuilder, you might need supplements to puff up your muscles; however you should consult your health care provider before opting for any kind of supplements and not trust the advertisers blindly.
Whenever possible try to include as much as super foods as you can in your diet to stay healthy and away from any sort of health problems.
For those aspiring to build stronger body, it is essential that you strengthen yourself from within so that you can sustain the physically taxing workouts.
If your body lacks in the essential nutrients, you will find yourself unable to handle the workout pressure and succumb to supplements to get the additional energy. Eating healthy superfoods will energize you and keep you strong and healthy from within.