Recently I wrote about a few “ superfoods ” - foods that are naturally nutritious and delicious. I challenged you to incorporate some of them into your diet - or to at least give them a try! Here are a few more:
Chocolate
Surprise! Dark chocolate (made with at least 70 percent cocoa solids) is loaded with polyphenols, anti-oxidants that may lower blood pressure and improve vascular health. It also contains magnesium, an important mineral for bone health. Keep portions small, however, as chocolate also contains a lot of sugar and fat and therefore calories.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli and its cruciferous cousins - cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and bok choy - are great sources of sulforaphane and indole-3 carinol, powerful anti-cancer substances. Broccoli and bok choy are also a good sources of non-dairy calcium.
Edamame
One of the best snack foods around, this green soybean can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and it’s a good source of vegetarian protein. Steam them and pop the beans out of their pods. You can even find them frozen in Safeway and Trader Joes these days!
Pumpkin
The can of pumpkin in your pantry is loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha and beta-carotenes. It’s also a good source of vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron and manganese. Enjoy it year-round in smoothies, soups or homemade breads and puddings!
I’ll be back soon with a few more superfoods, until then…
Be Well,
Carolyn
Recently I wrote about a few “ superfoods ” - foods that are naturally nutritious and delicious. I challenged you to incorporate some of them into your diet - or to at least give them a try! Here are a few more:
Chocolate
Surprise! Dark chocolate (made with at least 70 percent cocoa solids) is loaded with polyphenols, anti-oxidants that may lower blood pressure and improve vascular health. It also contains magnesium, an important mineral for bone health. Keep portions small, however, as chocolate also contains a lot of sugar and fat and therefore calories.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli and its cruciferous cousins - cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and bok choy - are great sources of sulforaphane and indole-3 carinol, powerful anti-cancer substances. Broccoli and bok choy are also a good sources of non-dairy calcium.
Edamame
One of the best snack foods around, this green soybean can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and it’s a good source of vegetarian protein. Steam them and pop the beans out of their pods. You can even find them frozen in Safeway and Trader Joes these days!
Pumpkin
The can of pumpkin in your pantry is loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha and beta-carotenes. It’s also a good source of vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron and manganese. Enjoy it year-round in smoothies, soups or homemade breads and puddings!
I’ll be back soon with a few more superfoods, until then…
Be Well,
Carolyn