Nutrient-Rich Foods To Kickstart Your Year
When grocery shopping in Houston, TX, you want to get the healthiest foods that don’t break your budget. Finding nutrient-rich foods isn’t difficult. Just go to the produce section for most of it. That’s where you’ll find food that’s lower in calories but packed with nutrients. There are other types of foods besides fruits and vegetables that are also power-packed. They contain quality proteins and healthy fats.
Look for colorful fruits and veggies.
Choosing vegetables in a rainbow of colors can help you get all the nutrients and phytochemicals possible. The colors of many vegetables come from phytonutrients that provide antioxidants and many other benefits for the body. For example, the anthocyanin that gives blueberries its color also provides cancer protection, lowers blood pressure, and protects the brain and the heart. Swiss Chard contains betalains that slow aging and protect cells. Go for the green. Leafy greens like kale are high in vitamins A, K, and C. Eating kale also can lower blood pressure.
You need quality protein and fat.
You’ll get quality protein and healthy fat when you eat fatty fish. Your body requires protein to build muscle tissue. It also requires healthy fat. Fatty fish provide both. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids that improve heart, eye, and brain health. It reduces inflammation and benefits people with metabolic syndrome. Another quality protein comes from eggs from pastured, free-range chickens. They’re allowed to eat their natural diet and have 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 7 times more beta-carotene, and 3 times more vitamin E. Like all eggs, they’re low in calories and contain 6 g protein, 147 mg choline, vitamins D, A, B, riboflavin, and selenium.
Don’t forget the cruciferous vegetables.
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are members of the cruciferous family. Crucifers, like broccoli, are good sources of glucosinolate, which has a byproduct called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane reduces the potential of developing cancer and fights inflammation, which can cause heart disease. It’s high in vitamins C and K, folate, manganese, and potassium. Brussels sprouts contain kaempferol, which protects the cells from oxidative damage.
- Eat red beets to lower your blood pressure and relax blood vessels. Nitrates in red beets convert to nitric acid that relaxes vessels and allows them to widen, making it easier for the heart to pump blood through them and lowering blood pressure.
- Organ meat such as liver or heart add additional vitamins and minerals. People often refer to the liver as Mother Nature’s multivitamin. They contain alpha-lipoic acid that protects the cell’s mitochondria.
- Add spices and herbs to your dishes. Garlic and other alliums contain allicin. It lowers blood pressure and helps maintain blood sugar levels. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory. Oregano is anti-bacterial. It also fights inflammation, fungus, parasites, and viruses.
- Sweet potatoes, without the brown sugar or marshmallows, are a healthy choice. It contains vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and magnesium. It can aid in controlling cholesterol and blood sugar.
For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym