Superfoods That Will Boost Your Mood
Most people know that the key to good health is eating a healthy diet. A diet loaded with vegetables and lean meats is healthy; a diet of junk food is not. However, most people have no idea that there are certain foods that can be labeled 'superfoods'. Superfoods are loaded with nutrients vital to good health and a sound mind. They are filled with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and are great foods to eat to help fight off cancer cells.
These superfoods are not only healthy for you, but they taste fantastic. Although not everyone shares the same taste buds, there is enough variety of superfoods to please even the pickiest of eaters. Try to incorporate at least one of these superfoods into your diet each day. Even better, aim for a few. Remember, it doesn't take an enormous amount of superfood for you to benefit from it: a little often goes a long way.
Below you will find a small list of superfoods, information of what they contain, and how they can help you live a happier, healthier life. Think of this short list of superfoods as your healthy diet tips for the day:
Almonds
Almonds are loaded with iron and magnesium, and are a naturally low saturated fat food. Unsalted almonds are a delicious, nutritious addition to any diet. Almonds are a great snack for people who want to lose weight, or just maintain their weight, as they are a very effective appetite suppresser.
Avocados
One serving of avocado has 20 different minerals and vitamins, including huge amounts of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. Avocados are a terrific source of the good fats our bodies need. This easy to metabilize veggie is a super tasty superfood that enhances any meal. Eating avocados also give you a healthy dose of folate, which is needed for proper tissue development.
Blueberries
Delicious little blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that not only help your mind and body, but they actually boost your immunity to keep you healthy. Blueberries are no different than other berries in that they are loaded with enough fiber to keep your bodily functions working properly. Try some juicy blueberries in your morning oatmeal, put some in your yogurt snack, or put them in your blender with a few other ingredients and make yourself a wonderful, cool fruit smoothie. Your brain and body will thank you all day long.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a superfood because it is super high in vitamin D. Vitamin D can be found in other foods, and the sun is also a wonderful source of vitamin D. Eating a half cup of broccoli three times a week will not only help your respiratory and digestive systems function properly, it also helps build strong bones and just keeps you overall healthier. Broccoli can be eaten raw, steamed, fried, or baked. If fried or baked, use a bit of extra virgin olive oil for an even greater boost of superfood goodness.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that helps your body in the fight against cancer. This super delicious treat is best eaten in small quantities; just a half bar (of a full size candy bar) has 200 calories, 10 grams of sugar, and 20 grams of fat.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Yes, olive oil is nothing but 100% fat. However, this type of fat is actually beneficial to a healthy heart. Although there are 7 grams of fat per teaspoon, there is only 60 calories added to your diet - and those are all heart healthy calories. Use olive oil in your cooking, and when you make home made salad dressing. You may not notice the effects of extra virgin olive oil, but adding this oil to your diet works wonders on your heart health and that is just good news for everyone.
Honey
Although most of honey is water, natural sugars and sucrose, the amount of vitamins and minerals in honey makes it a superfood to use in place of regular sugar, high fructose corn syrup and those nasty tasting (chemical filled) artificial sweeteners. Honey contains pollen, protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin B6 and amino acids. Use honey to sweeten your drinks and your foods. It is a wonderful superfood that helps heal wounds and fights off infections.
Kale
Watch any cooking show on television these days and everyone seems to want to add kale to their menus. Yes, kale is the latest super trendy superfood, but it is there for a reason. Eating kale will help you lower your cholesterol levels naturally. Delicious kale is loaded with nutrients that greatly reduce your risk for developing several types of cancer, including prostate, breast, ovary, colon and bladder cancers.
Lean Meats
Eating lean meats offers your body the protein it needs, without all the fats it doesn't. Lean cuts of beef, chicken and turkey all contain amino acids needed to grow and sustain our muscles. If you just have to have meat every day, substitute lean meats for fattier ones, and watch portion size.
Mixed Nuts
Mixed nuts are another source of healthy proteins. Eating a small handful of mixed nuts for your mid-morning, or mid-afternoon snack not only helps prevent dangerous sugar drops (especially in people with diabetes), but also prevents you from overeating junk food that isn't good for your body.
And Finally...
When you have a craving for something crunchy, trying frying up some broccoli or kale - adding your favorite spices to give it the zing you like - instead of reaching for chips or crackers. Have a sweet tooth? Try a bit of dark chocolate, a hot cup of tea with some honey added, or a bowl of blueberries drizzled with a bit of sweet honey to squelch those cravings.
Incorporating these superfoods into your daily diet will make you feel like a new person. With more energy to get out and about, you will become stronger, more fit and healthier than you have ever been before. When you feel fit you feel fine; when you feel fine you are happy. What better reasons do you need to include these superfoods into your healthy diet? Hopefully these diet tips will help you get started on your path to a better life.
Check out Weight Loss Dieting Plans for your choice of healthy and weight loss nutrition. Feel like a new person with your healthy eating and fat loss program. Look great, feel great and find your way to better health and a better life.
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