Superfoods For Healthy Living The Weight Loss Connection

Posted on Sep 10, 2009 under Diet, fatty acid, fiber, Multi minerals, Multiminerals, Superfood, Vitamin, Weight loss | No Comment

Chances are you've heard the word superfoods recently. It refers to certain foods that contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals, nutrients, essential fatty acids, fiber, and other good things that keep our bodies running in tip-top shape. Consumed daily, such foods have been shown to offer countless benefits to our overall health, including their ability promote healthy cholesterol levels and provide potent antioxidant support for the body. So why does it seem that only in the past decade have these remarkable foods received so much attention?

It's no secret that obesity and obesity-related illnesses are on the rise in this country. According to the American Obesity Association (AOA), approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese, and 9 million are severely obese. The AOA further states that obesity increases the risk of illness from about 30 serious medical conditions. And with so much at stake, Americans are beginning to take a serious look at how they live, how they eat, and how they treat their bodies. That's where superfoods come in. Below is a list of some of the most power-packed superfoods and the benefits they provide:

Berries: High in fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and hundreds of other beneficial compounds, berries are an essential part of every healthy diet. These little powerhouses contain potent antioxidant properties that help protect the body against disease. Add blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries into your diet for a healthful and delicious boost.

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges contain unique flavonoids that provide powerful antioxidant support for the body. Plush, they're packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and folic acid and easy to grab when you're constantly on the go!

Green leafy vegetables: Mom was right when she told you to eat your vegetables. Lush leafy greens are loaded with vitamins, calcium, fiber, potassium and carotenoids (the antioxidant-rich pigments found in plants), as well as many other nutrients essential to overall health. When planning your meals for the week, be sure to include plenty of kale, spinach, romaine, endive and broccoli rabe.

Legumes: Lentils, beans and peas are an excellent source of fiber and protein, which helps promote healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Try them in soups, salads, spreads or as a side dish.

Omega-3 fish: Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines contain beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. Used to manufacture the cell wall of every cell in the body, Omega-3 fats may also reduce the risk of heart disease. They also support the body's reproductive, nervous and immune systems.

Soy: Whether consumed as soy milk, miso (soybean paste), tempeh (soybean cake), tofu or simply edamame (soy beans), protein-rich soy is packed with powerful antioxidants called isoflavones that may help reduce the risk of heart disease by promoting healthy cholesterol levels in the body.

Tea: Revered throughout history for its medicinal properties, tea-specifically black, green, oolong and white-contain beneficial flavonoids shown to protect the body against disease and support overall health.

Tomatoes: Nutrient-rich tomatoes contain high amounts of lycopene, a plant pigment that provides many health benefits. Lycopene supports the body's immune system by working to neutralize harmful free radicals-unstable compounds that can severely damage healthy cells in the body. Free radicals have been linked to heart disease, cancer and other age-related illnesses.

Walnuts: While many nuts and seeds-including almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds-contain heart-healthy fatty acids that have been shown to promote healthy cholesterol levels, but walnuts in particular are packed with plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to supporting cardiovascular and immune health, these Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) help promote healthy digestion.

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