It sometimes seems as if the internal politics of the Middle East are
easier to understand than the latest thinking on nutrition. With
EAT THIS, NOT THAT!,
you're armed with the info you need to make smart choices. But how can
you crank it up a notch? How can you make good nutrition as certain as
death, taxes, and The Fast and the Furious spinoffs? Here's the simple
answer: Just eat these eight foods--along with a little protein such as
salmon, turkey, or lean beef--every day. And relax.
8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day : Spinach, Yogurt, Tomatoes, Carrots, Blueberries, Black Beans, Walnuts, Oats
Spinach
It may be green and leafy, but spinach is no nutritional wallflower.
This noted muscle builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and
folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and
osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the nether
regions, helping to protect you against age-related sexual issues. And
spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights macular
degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.
Substitutes: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce
FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add
spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara
sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.
PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale > Heat 4
cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil
in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped).
Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp.
sesame seeds.
Yogurt
Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the
2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation
spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as
reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body.
That helps boost your immune system and provides protection against
cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic, though, so make sure the label
says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and
protein-rich goop a day.
SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt
FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts,
flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast--or dessert. Plain low-fat
yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.
HOME RUN: Power Smoothie > Blend 1 cup low-fat
yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup
fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.
Tomatoes
There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the
best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and
processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier
for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in
lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and
stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry
tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice.
SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava
FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe.
PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl > Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, and 1 papaya. Garnish with mint.
Carrots
Most red, yellow, or orange vege- tables and fruits are spiked with
carotenoids--fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction
in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of
inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis--but
none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as
carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.
SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango
FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake
PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries > Scrub
and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with
olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes
at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.
Blueberries
Host to more antioxidants than any other North American fruit,
blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory
changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that
blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, also boost
cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup
frozen or dried.
SUBSTITUTES: Acai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries
FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form.
PINCH HITTER: Acai, an Amazonian berry, has even
more antioxidants than the blueberry. Try acai juice from Sambazon or
add 2 Tbsp. of acai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.
Black Beans
All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain
power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins,
antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A
daily 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of
fiber. It's also low in calories and free of saturated fat.
SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans
FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito;
use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black
beans with 1/4 cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add
favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.
HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa > Dice 4
tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper,
and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup
chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.
Walnuts
Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more
anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much
muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a
Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two
of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts--about 1 ounce,
or 7 nuts--is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery
snack.
SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts
FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; chop and add
to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with
olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.
HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with 1/2 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks.
Oats
The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal
of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk
of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of
those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams
of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady, muscle-friendly
energy.
SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice
FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a
fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground
flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.
PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad > Quinoa has twice the
protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups
of water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss it with 2 diced apples, 1 cup
fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free
yogurt.
Source :
MenHealth 
9/21/2017 11:44:00 AM
