Antioxidants – 5 Rock Star Foods in Your Home!
Ok, here is what you need to know before we get too deep into discussion. Our body can often be compared to a car and when we talk about antioxidants, this is one of those times. You see if you leave your car outside, exposed to rain and the elements, over time it begins to rust. Our body is the exact same. When our body is exposed to free radicals and oxidation, we start to rust on the inside.
Here is the good part; we can rust proof ourselves by having a diet and supplementation regime that is high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants provide us with protection by attaching on to those damage causing free radicals and take them out of our body.
Here are five Rock Star foods that have lots of anti-oxidants that will help you running at peak condition:
Beans
These rock stars of the nutrition world are packed with a ton of antioxidants. They also are full of fiber and provide us with a great source of vegetarian protein. Amazing when paired up with quinoa or brown rice. According to WebMD. Researchers found that small red beans contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than both wild and cultivated blueberries, which have been heralded in recent years for their high antioxidant content. In fact, three of the top five antioxidant-rich foods studied were beans. So focus on including red beans as a staple in your diet.
Blueberries
These purple and blue powerhouses of antioxidants contain polyphenols and anthocyanins which give these beauties their blue hue… hey that rhymes. These antioxidants help reduce damage by assisting with eliminating those pesky free radicals. Blueberries are also chalk full of vitamin C and also dietary fiber. Blueberries are also a great source or manganese which helps assist with protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Add them into smoothies, pancakes, muffins or just eat them on their own. Try to choose the wild, organic varieties as they are even a healthier choice!
Cranberries
Pound for pound here is the champ! Cranberries have the highest phenol (antioxidant) content than any other fruit or vegetable on a gram for gram basis. In fact cranberries have 5 times more antioxidants than broccoli does. Heating the cranberry can lose some of the antioxidant value so we recommend that you eat them fresh or frozen or in a 100 percent juice. The pure cranberry juice can be tart which can turn people off but is very refreshing when served over ice and Perrier water. Throw them in smoothies, dried ones in salads and make sure they are on your thanksgiving menu!
Sweet Potatoes
These babies are not your run of the mill potato! They are a more concentrated source of vitamin C, but they are also an excellent source of vitamin A, in the form of phytonutrients, such as beta-carotene. You would have to be living under a rock if you have not heard of the value of beta-carotene especially around the health and function of our eyes. These orange super foods are not limited to just antioxidants. They contain fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, the sweet potato is a powerhouse in its nutritional value.
Walnuts
OK these are definitely not just for the squirrels! Walnuts are the heavyweight champ of the nut world for many reasons. First let’s talk about their antioxidant properties. As far as tree nuts go, Walnuts and peanuts have the highest antioxidant density. What makes the walnut the heavy weight champ is that it also has a ton of omega 3’s in it. These have show amazing health benefits to our cardiovascular system and our brain function. Who doesn’t want a clear head…where are those keys again! Toss walnuts in a salad, on top of yogurt or simply snack on these crunchy gems. Regardless these should be a staple in your pantry or freezer.
These are five super foods packed with antioxidants that should always be in your home. I challenge you to have fun… do something creative like toasting some walnuts and adding them on top of a sweet potato with a little bit of soft goat cheese. Traditions are really cool but creating new ideas for food is the spice of life.
Tell us how you get creative with your power foods…
Yours in Wellness
