A large part of our nation requires prescription drugs to manage a slew of medical conditions such as dangerous weight gain, heart conditions, insulin complications, compromised immune systems and other serious ills that can shorten an otherwise healthy lifespan, which is why finding out about superfoods is so important.
Now that information about superfoods has been made public, thankfully people are taking heart and making changes for the better. We don’t need to be on so many prescription pills when adding a few superfoods into your meals incorporates such delicious and healthy improvements.
A recent episode of the sitcom “Parks and Recreation” illustrated a process very well when the office staff sat around the table eating fitness bars marketed as the next big thing in healthy eating. The sugar high had them dancing around until the inevitable crash. Slumped in their desks they were unable to think straight. Sure it was just a skit on a sitcom, but the premise is very real, when you eat stuff that’s bad for you, you feel bad.
The converse is just as true: when you eat well, you become more productive and increased productivity means you’re using your time in a more meaningful way. This has certainly been true for me. The more of these superfoods that I consume, the more alert I am. This increased productivity has been a healthy change for my bank account as well. I never would have believed that there was a correlation between spinach and my salary, but, well, the proof is in the (soy) pudding, so to speak!
So let’s take a look at just ten superstars of the supermarket:
1. Oranges: High in vitamin C, a nutrient that helps fight infections such as the common cold and flu by supporting the immune system.
2. Pumpkin: Beta Carotene (converts to vitamin A) is the hero in this fruit, and it’s full of fiber which helps keeps the cholesterol numbers low, right where we want them!
3. Blueberries: Dark berries contain an anti-inflammatory excellent for those suffering from fibromyalgia and other auto-immune diseases.
4. Soy: Is there anything this little bean can’t do? Substituting soy for dairy can prove to help stave off those dangerous growth hormones and saturated fats found in regular milk, reducing our risk for dangerous complications.
5. Spinach: Dark leafy greens are the best source of calcium and iron.
6. Legumes: High in iron and fiber, the colorful palette of beans makes for a beneficial addition to any recipe.
7. Walnuts: Oils found in walnuts can reduce low-density cholesterol and increase high-density cholesterol, which are precisely what the body requires.
8. Tea: Teas serve as a diuretic adept at helping us shed water weight.
9. Tomatoes: Jam-packed with powerful anti-oxidants, this delicious red vegetable competes with oranges as far as being an excellent source of vitamin C. Tomatoes also contain lycopene, which is a recognized cancer fighting agent.
10. Oats: Fiber present in oats is key to lowering the risk of heart disease and oats contain both protein and iron, for an added bonus.
These foods are just the tip of the iceberg and the top of the list. There are plenty of other great nutritious foods that you can add to your cart the next time you hit the supermarket. You may be glad to know that chocolate also has its place on the superfood list. Luckily, red wine and many nuts and seeds are also on the longer list. Some of our favorite snacks and delicious treats are actually good for us – Who would have thought? Deciding to eat delicious foods and saving money on prescription pills can bring health benefits too. Not only does it sound like a great plan, it sounds like living well. Correction, sounds like living very well.
Looking to be healthier? Did you know that you could benefit your overall success by eating the top ten super foods on a regular basis? Start creating the habit of adding these life transforming super foods into your overall diet, then see for yourself how your overall results sky rocket.