Power Foods: You Are What You Eat
We have often heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” It turns out that this is absolutely the truth. Your diet can be tuned to give your body the extra kick you need. Below are some power foods that can help build bones and muscle, boost your immunity and decrease the ravaging effects of arthritis.
Bone Builders:
Dried Plums (prunes) These shriveled up beauties are rich in copper and boron, which can help prevent osteoporosis. The fiber in the prunes also helps to increase absorption of calcium in the gut.
Bok Choy Try this crunchy vegetable rich in calcium, vitamins A and C, folic acid, iron and potassium. This also helps to lower your blood pressure, fight lung and bladder cancer as well as fight macular degeneration.
Bananas One banana has all the potassium your body needs for the day. It helps to boost the nervous system, immune function and helps to metabolize protein.
Immunity Boosters:
Blueberries This is a tasty and potent fruit that prevents diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease. 3.5 ounces of blueberries contain more antioxidants than any other fruit.
Green Tea Four cups per day will supply the phytonutrients necessary to reduce the risk of most types of cancer.
Chili Peppers These peppers increase flavor of food without adding fat or calories. One teaspoon per day or half a pepper is rich in beta-carotene to fight infection, inflammation and prostate cancer.
Inflammation:
Pineapples Pineapple is an anti-inflammation cocktail. Half a cup, two to three times per week will add a great mix of vitamins, antioxidants and bromelin to aid the body.
Apples An apple a day will keep swelling down and at the same time reduce the risk of allergies, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer.
Almonds This tasty nut reduces inflammation, lowers blood sugar and decreases cholesterol. Eat a third of a cup per day with the skins on.
Wild Fatty Fish Mackerel, Wild or Pacific Salmon or Tilapia contains Omega-3 fatty acids protect the joints, heart and brain. Stay away from Atlantic salmon or farm-raised varieties of fish.
Muscle Enhancers:
Tofu This is the best way to eat soybean. Four ounces one to three times per week contain amino acids and isoflavones to help muscles recover from exercise.
Eggs Recent studies have shown that the fat in the yolk is so beneficial that it outweighs the cholesterol effect. Most of your cholesterol comes from the liver, not the food anyways. Three to four eggs per week help with muscle and brain function.
