Food that improves your Health

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Health News 10 foods to improve your daily diet

Apples | A good source of pectin, a fiber than can lower cholesterol and glucose levels; also a good source of vitamin C

Almonds | Packed with nutrients, including vitamin E, a natural antioxidant; low in sodium

Broccoli | Contains calcium, potassium, folate, fiber and phytonutrients, compounds that help prevent diabetes, heart disease and some cancers

Blueberries | A rich, low-calorie source of fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients, also might improve short-term memory and reduce cellular damage associated with aging

Red beans | Excellent low-fat source of antioxidants, protein, dietary fiber and copper

Salmon | Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, believed to provide heart benefits; also low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and a good source of protein

Spinach | High in vitamin A; also a good source of calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, riboflavin and vitamins B-6 and C; might boost immune system and prevent certain types of cancer

Sweet potatoes | High in beta-carotene, vitamin C, B-6 and potassium; also fat-free and low in calories

Vegetable juice | Easy way to include vegetables in your diet

Wheat germ | Just 2 tablespoons provide a good source of thiamin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc; sprinkle over cereals, yogurt and salads, or use in muffins, cookies and pancakes

Health News 10 foods to improve your daily diet
  noted by Sky Bird C.  

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Mushrooms can be a delicious way to encourage and maintain good health. Both dried and fresh varieties can provide immune-enhancing and cancer-protective properties. The best-studied species in which to find these protective compounds are shiitake, maitake and enoki mushrooms. Avoid the common white button mushrooms popular in the U.S., which do not provide the immune-enhancing effects.

If you buy dried mushrooms, simply soak them in water until they become softened, strain off the fluid, and add to your favorite recipe. You can save the soaking liquid for soups or sauces.

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Bananas - Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

More on bananas in the banana thread

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Calcium

Since most women need between 1,000 and 1,500 mg of calcium per day and men should get about 1,000 mg, looking for a good source of dietary calcium may be on your mind.

Sardines are a great source: they have 350 mg of usable calcium per 3.75-ounce can.
Collard greens offer up 225 mg per cup
Tofu clocks in at 250 mg per half-cup.

Other high-calcium foods include:
sesame seeds, broccoli and molasses, as well as dairy products and foods that are fortified with calcium such as orange juice and soy milk. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to properly absorb and utilize calcium, so be sure to get 400-800 IUs daily. If you need to supplement, calcium citrate is the best form to use; combining it with magnesium will help avoid its constipating effects.

Some food items, such as fructose, caffeine, wheat bran, raw spinach and salt, as well as alcohol and tobacco, actually interfere with calcium absorption.

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Grains

Consider the following grains – each are a healthful addition to your overall optimum health plan:

• Whole wheat
• Whole barley
• Whole oats
• Cracked wheat
• Graham flour
• Whole cornmeal
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Bulghur wheat
• Kasha

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Top Antioxidant-Rich Foods

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Great list of 'antioxidant foods' Leslie!   I hear so many good things about POMENGRANATES {...I think I screwed the spelling up on that baby! }  ANYWAYS, yes,....I hear they are very good for U but, one of those 'scary fruits' {never tried one and don't know how to pick, eat, etc. them! }

Could someone please fill me in!?

OH!   For a contribution to this thread, I have been getting used to SOY NUTS instead of popcorn and such as a snack!

Does anyone have anything to say about SOY products?

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Hi Leslie and Chris. I do not know how to pick fruits either and I know nothing about soy products. The folks I work with are into that big time as well as veggies. I have so many veggie dislikes it is terrible. Guess I was no help at all -

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Neither am I Judianne! Thats why were here

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