Foods You’re Not Eating

I always thought that it took too long to eat healthfully, but truthfully, it doesn’t. Here are a few things we should be eating, but maybe aren’t.

I don’t like to take a long time when I’m at the grocery store. It seems like the longer I’m there, the more I spend, so I sit down and make out a list of what I know I’m going to need. I know what we like to eat in our house, and we also keep a few treats around “just in case the kids come over”. That never happens by the way. What is it about the power of the cookie? If the cookie isn’t in your house, chances are you’re not going to eat it. Here are a few other foods you’re probably not eating. Hint: None of them are cookies.

I like broccoli. I always have. My Dad was just talking over the weekend about the fact that my sister and I never liked broccoli when we were kids but both of us eat it now. Had my parents told me broccoli was a super food, maybe I would have eaten it. I was a big fan of Wonder Woman afterall. Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that help detoxify your system and helps you make healthy blood, grow new, healthy cells, and it has also been shown to ward off breast and cervical cancers. Broccoli is a good source of vitamins C, K, and A so it strengthens your vision, helps build strong bones and strengthens your immune system. It’s also an excellent source of B vitamins and thanks to its high folate count; it’s great for pregnant women as folates increase fetal brain development. Are you a tad bloated around “that time”? Broccoli is a natural diuretic so it can alleviate water weight gain during PMS.

I don’t like onions. They’re overpowering and they remind me of B.O. but did you know that onions have anti-bacterial properties, they’re a natural anti-inflammatory, a natural blood thinner and they have also been shown to ward off certain types of cancer, osteoporosis, plus they help fight colds, fevers and asthma? I didn’t either, but thanks to vitamins B and C, plus folate and fiber; onions can do a lot of good for your body. Like their super food friend broccoli, onions are also linked to decreases in breast and ovarian cancer. Onions are also good at keeping you regular, aiding in good blood circulation and can also lead to lower blood pressure and better cholesterol.

Do you like salads? Well, the more leafy greens you pile on your plate, the better. Swiss chard, kale, romaine lettuce, arugala, spinach, watercress and the like are chock full of vitamins A for healthy vision, C for a healthy immune system, E for healthy skin, nails and organ function and K for healthy bones plus beta-carotine, magnesium, iron, calcium and fiber. Have you always wondered what magnesium does for you? You see it on nutrition labels all the time, but I never knew what it was. Turns out that magnesium helps lessen the intensity of headaches like migranes. It can also aid in healthy bladder function and it helps you absorb calcium to keep your bones strong. This is especially important after the change of life as that is when many women start showing symptoms of osteoporosis. Magnesium is also a natural mood booster that can help lessen symptoms of depression.

Remember the rhyme “Beans beans the magical fruit…”? Well, turns out that beans are magical. No matter which kind of bean you choose, each one is packed with vitamins, amino acids, fiber, protein, iron and potassium and they’ve also been linked to a decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, cancer and can also help lower blood pressure. Amino acids are essential to muscle development, appetite control, better sleep and are a natural mood booster. Potassium helps cellular function, muscle control, nerve function, and bone strength.

Wild caught salmon is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids and you likely hear that all the time, but what does it do? Omega 3 fatty acid is a natural anti inflammatory, improves brain function, boosts good cholesterol, lessens the risk of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke. Even though you hear the word “fat” don’t be fooled. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce the amount of fat around your midsection. So, what’s the difference between wild caught and salmon and other varieties? Wild caught salmon and farmed salmon vary in the amount of protein and omega 3s. Farmed salmon has reduced levels of both protein and omega 3s and they can also contain the very unhealthy omega 6 fatty acid and other carcinogens.

Bon appétit!