|
Power
Packed Foods
Top
Ten Power Packed Foods
What is the secret to a long and healthy life? It is in the
food that we eat. As you well know, all foods are not created
equal. Choosing and eating the right foods may help increase
your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life.
Eating healthy foods not only helps you lose and maintain your weight
but the
right foods give us all sorts of health benefits. If your diet has
consisted of foods high in fat and sugars then you may be feeling
sluggish and worn down. Adding super foods can bring you out of the
slump and get you energized and feeling better.
Here are ten of the top power packed foods designed to give you energy,
vitality and all around good health!
|
|
| 1. |
Beans
Beans are great power packed foods and there is lots of variety like kidney, navy,
lentils, chickpeas and Northern just to name a few. They are high in protein and good for you. This is
protein
from a plant source so it contains very little fat, carbs and
calories.
If fiber
is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans each day
can keep your digestive system healthy.If they give you gas, take
precautions before you eat them.
Soaking them first can help.
|
| 2. |
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is coming into popularity as a food that lowers blood
cholesterol. You can make it yourself with rolled oats or eat
the instant kind if you are in a hurry.
Oatmeal is a filling
grain that also provides much needed fiber to keep hunger at bay and
your blood sugar constant.
|
| 3. |
Fruits
Fruits are filled with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and A making these the perfect power packed foods.
Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk
of cancer. Berries such as blueberries and grapes have the
highest amount of antioxidants.
Choose an array of fruits
in a wide variety of colors for maximum health. The
antioxidants in fruit boost the immune system to fight the effects of
aging in the body.
|
|
| 4. |
Allium
Foods
This class of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks and
shallots. Garlic is known for lowering cholesterol.
Allium vegetables healp guard the body against the risk of cancer and
many other ailments. They also help lower blood pressure and
prevent blood clots. Eating these power packed vegetables in
their natural state especially garlic increases their health benefits.
|
| 5. |
Salmon
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of heart
disease and other conditions like atherosclerosis. Wild
salmon is a fatty fish but it contains good fats that has been proven
to improve health in children and adults. Salmon is rich in
protein which is of great use after an exercise session to build muscle
tissue.
|
| 6. |
Flax
seed
Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also
contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. You get a lot of
power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this
seed. Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies,
sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix to name
a few.
|
| 7. |
Peppers
Peppers are not only colorful but they contain antioxidants like
beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Peppers range from mild and
sweet to so hot that you’ll be calling the fire department.
All peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. Capsaicin
has the properties of an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, lowers
cancer risk and heart disease. They are good in salads, salsa
and all sorts of dishes to add some fun flavors.
|
| 8. |
Nuts
and Seeds
Nuts are high in fat but those fats are the good kind.
Peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers
of good fats and protein. Crush them into a fine powder and
use as a coating instead of higher carb bread crumbs. Nuts
help to lower cholesterol. Eat them right out of the shell
with no additives.
|
| 9. |
Acai
Acai is the latest and greatest in power packed foods. This berry has been in the news lately. It is rich in
antioxidants and increases energy. You can get more done and
look better while doing it. You can get Acai juice and
supplements in your health food store.
|
| 10. |
Yogurt
Yogurt – The fat free variety is good for you. Yogurt
contains calcium, Vitamin B, and protein. If you don’t drink
milk, yogurt is an alternative to get your calcium in to build strong
bones and teeth. Live yogurt also contains friendly bacteria
to help promote a healthy digestive system.
|
For even more power packed foods check out these feel good super foods.
Related
Articles
Eating Healthy
Healthy Recipes
Exercise 4 Weight Loss
2 Achieve Fitness and Health
© 2008 - 2011
Exercise4WeightLoss.com
NOTE:
Weight Watchers is a registered trademark of Weight Watchers International, Inc. Points and Points Plus are trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc.Please visit your local Weight Watchers meeting for authentic information about the plan.
This site is not affiliated with Weight Watchers International in any way, and Weight Watchers has not reviewed this site for accuracy or suitability for WW members. Information on this site for restaurant
nutrition and points is based on data gathered from individual restaurants and not the Weight Watchers Dining Out Companion. Food Pts values for restaurants and recipes are calculated in an offline
spreadsheet and the formula used is not the exact same formula as provided by Weight Watchers.
Although the formula used on this site is not the exact WW formula, the points values presented are a close approximation but may be off by a few 10ths of a point (but no more than 1/2 point plus or minus). Since the values are shown as a rounded number, the numbers shown will work when tracking your daily allowance.
All readers are encouraged to go to a Weight Watcher's meeting for actual information about their plan. This site is presented under the rights of the First Amendment.
|
Exercise
4 Weight Loss is powered by Site
Build It!
Find out how it can help you build a website and make money from home.
|
|
