10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 10

Cinnamon is a Healing Spice

Studies have linked cinnamon to improved blood sugar in people suffering from diabetes.

Cinnamon is also indicated to have antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal properties. Plus, it's high in manganese, iron, calcium, and fiber all beneficial to the body. 

The health benefits of this super spice continue to be revealed through ongoing studies but it has long been used in traditional medicine.

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 9

Beans are Brain Food

Beans are an excellent source of soluble fiber and good carbohydrate to eat daily. Soluble fiber helps the heart by soaking up cholesterol before having a chance to stick to the artery wall. The cholesterol is then eliminated through normal body functions. Studies show eating high soluble fiber can reduce total cholesterol by 10 to 15 percent and is linked to reduced heart disease.

Black beans contain anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds shown to improve brain function. They contain the highest plant protein rating but must be combined with a grain such as brown rice to create a “complete” protein.

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 8

Olive Oil for Heart Health

Olive oil is considered a healthy dietary fat was shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The primary fat found in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). MUFAs have been shown to lower total cholesterol and help stabilize blood clotting.

Olive oil has been linked to lowered insulin levels, blood sugar control. Research has shown a great benefit to those suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Olive oil is also bursting with antioxidants called phenols linked to prevention of cholesterol buildup in the artery walls. Look for “virgin,” “extra-virgin,” or “cold-pressed” olive oils for best nutritional values.

The recommended dose is one tablespoon daily to reap heart-healthy benefits. 

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 7

Broccoli is the Antioxidant King

Broccoli, a cruciferous carbohydrate is one of the most powerful antioxidants in our dietary toolbox. Broccoli protects our body against cancer and ranks at the top of the superfood list.

Broccoli offers high nutritional value with low caloric cost. It is the most nutrient-dense of the vegetable superfoods. Research has labeled broccoli the king of cancer prevention. Research has shown sulfur compounds in broccoli signal our genes to boost production of detoxifying enzymes. These enzymes potentially attack cancer-causing compounds.

In addition, broccoli also boosts the immune system, supports cardiovascular health, builds bones, and fights birth defects.

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 6

Yogurt Improves Gut Bacteria

Yogurt is known for its probiotic or live beneficial bacteria. Yogurt is shown to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. It also helps maintain stable ph levels in the body. 

Eating yogurt is indicated to boost our immune system and provide protection against diseases like cancer. Probiotics can help with vaginal yeast infections, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and urinary tract infections.

Yogurt is also a great source of bone-building calcium and protein. Not all yogurts are created equal. Look for labeling “live and active cultures” to ensure it contains probiotics. It is also recommended to consume plain over 

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 5

Ground Flaxseeds Reduce Inflammation

Flaxseeds are not only a good source of fiber but also loaded with alpha-linolenic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid shown to reduce inflammation in the body. Flaxseeds also contain lignans, a type of plant compound known as polyphenols. These precursors contribute to reduced rates of certain hormone-related cancers. 

Other anti-inflammatory properties of flax seeds have been helpful for acne and asthma conditions. Ground flax is an excellent source of fiber and helps to alleviate digestive problems. Flaxseed is nutrient-dense and a rich source of healthy fat.

Flax is a remarkable superfood full of minerals, incredible fatty acids, and usable protein.

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 4

Green Tea Increases Metabolism

Green tea contains a powerhouse of antioxidants. Its antioxidant values are shown to be higher than those measured in fruits and vegetables.

Green tea contains high doses of catechin, an antioxidant shown to help prevent cell damage in the body. Catechin is indicated to reduce inflammation in the body, which is said to contribute to disease and illness. This powerful antioxidant is shown to reduce high blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Green tea has also been proven to help block the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease. Other health benefits include increased metabolism for weight loss.

Enjoying high tea just became sweeter—just remember to keep it green. 

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 3

Research might actually confirm that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are loaded with antioxidants quercetin and catechin, which protect our cells and help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Note: You can get more fiber and nutrients by eating the skin.

The apple and skin are higher in fiber than a lot of other fruits, which can help with weight loss by improving satiety. Apples taste fabulous, are filling, and provide energy in addition to the overwhelming antioxidant health benefits. 

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 2

Oats are high in soluble fiber and linked to lowering blood pressure and overall cholesterol levels. Oats are a good carbohydrate, and they're rich in beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a powerful soluble fiber that helps to slow the digestion of sugar and keep blood sugar levels under control.

Oats are also a great source of quality plant protein helping with muscle growth and repair. Each ​half-cup serving provides a whopping 10 grams, and many studies have shown eating oatmeal reduces the risk of heart disease. 

Power up your day and your body with a bowl of oats—and breakfast aside, it's an excellent pre- or post-workout meal.    

10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 1

SuperFoods 

Ask five nutrition experts to provide a list of their favorite "superfoods," and the results will vary—but they'll also overlap. The reason is each food provides something different and of great use to your body.

One food on the list might be a rich source of protein or fiber but wind up lacking in vitamins and minerals. Another superfood could be loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, but be largely absent of protein. That's why experts claim that eating a wide variety of power foods is the best way to ensure optimal health.

Try to eat the following foods every day, and you'll check just about all of the nutritional boxes.

Food #1 - Blueberries Are a Top Antioxidant

In a study of common fruits and vegetables, blueberries contained more antioxidants than over 40 of their competitors. This places the unassuming berry at the top of the list for guarding against cancer, heart disease, dementia, and macular degeneration. 

Blueberries also defend against urinary tract infections, thanks to the antioxidant epicatechins. Epicatechins prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Blueberries are also high in water, providing hydration to the skin and cells of the body.

Eating half a cup of blueberries satisfies one fruit and vegetable serving per day.

Oats for Fiber Intake

Oats are high in soluble fiber and linked to lowering blood pressure and overall cholesterol levels. Oats are a good carbohydrate,  and they're rich in beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a powerful soluble fiber that helps to slow the digestion of sugar and keep blood sugar levels under control.

Oats are also a great source of quality plant protein helping with muscle growth and repair. Each half cup serving provides a whopping 10 grams, and many studies have shown eating oatmeal reduces the risk of heart disease. 

Power up your day and your body with a bowl of oats—and breakfast aside, it's an excellent pre- or post-workout meal.   

Blueberries Are a Top Antioxidant

Ask five nutrition experts to provide a list of their favorite "superfoods," and the results will vary—but they'll also overlap. The reason is each food provides something different and of great importance to body functioning.  

One food on the list might be a rich source of protein or fiber, but wind up lacking in vitamins and minerals. Another superfood could be loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, but be largely absent of protein. That's why experts claim that eating a wide variety of power foods is the best way to ensure optimum health. Try and eat the following foods every day, and you'll check just about every nutritional box. 

Take blueberries, for instance. In a study of common fruits and vegetables, blueberries contained more antioxidants than over 40 of their competitors. This places the unassuming berry at the top of the list for guarding against cancer, heart disease, dementia, and macular degeneration. 

Blueberries also defend against urinary tract infections, thanks to the antioxidant epicatechins. Epicatechins prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Blueberries are also high in water, providing hydration to the skin and cells of the body.

Eating half a cup of blueberries satisfies one fruit and vegetable serving per day.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #1

And the biggest mistake of all:

1. Letting one mistake start you on a downward spiral. “I’ve seen people completely go back to square one,” says Hubbert. “They make one mistake and it starts a whole cycle.” The remedy? If you make a mistake, admit it, forgive yourself, and get back on track right away.

Comment:  Been there, Done That!  This is one of the hardest things to make yourself do.  When I make a mistake, I want to say to H with it, I'll start over tomorrow.  Well, tomorrow seldom comes the next day.  Tomorrow is usually several days or even weeks away.  This is truly a fighting battle that I have a hard time with but I'm working on it.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #2

2. Thinking of your diet as a diet. There is diet fatigue if you go on a diet. People can stay on a diet about three months and then they are done with it because they can’t stand it. Instead, focus on making healthy lifestyle and diet choices that you can live with for a long time.

Comments:  For me this goes back to making elimination changes.  I love ice cream and could eat it every night.  I eliminated it to once a week and instead of eating it at home I go out to eat it.  This prevents me from having a carton in the freezer and sneaking around to eat it.  I try to eliminate one item/habit every 2 weeks.  This also prevents me from calling what I'm doing a diet.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #3

3. Emotional eating. Eating in response to sadness, boredom, or stress wrecks your calorie counting for at least one day. “We learn to associate food with feeling better,” says Hubbert, a self-confessed boredom eater. When you become aware of your urge to eat in response to emotions instead of hunger pains, find something else to do that will distract you for 10 or 15 minutes, such as taking a walk, says Hubbert.

Comment:  Guilty again!  Most of my emotional eating comes from stress.  I have situations in my life that truly stress me out and I find myself standing in front of the refrigerator all too often.  What I've found to work for me is to grab a bottle of cold water and down about 1/2 of it.  That actually cures my stress hunger better than anything else.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #4

4. Not exercising enough. Even if you could achieve your diet goals by calorie counting alone, you would be more successful (and healthier) if you were physically active. “The number one barrier to exercise that I hear is time,” says Hubbert. National recommendations are at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. You can break this up into three 10-minute segments per day, says Hubbert.

Comment:  I used this excuse so often that it was pathetic.  When I've finished for the day I like to sit down and read.  I didn't want to do something that required my full attention for 30 minutes.  I will say that I'm limited in my activities due to having fusions in my back and problems in my neck, but I found something that allows me to exercise and read at the same time.  I have a stationary bike with a chair style seat!  It allows me to work my legs, heart, etc. without hurting my back.  And since I'm reading as I ride the 30 minutes have gone by so quickly.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #5

5. Putting too much “weight” on the scale. Hanging all your feelings of success on the numbers on the scale can be a diet disaster. You should only weigh yourself once a week, says Gail Curtis, assistant professor at the Wake Forest University Health Sciences department of physician assistant studies in Winston-Salem, N.C. Curtis recommends tracking other short-term health goals, such as eating more veggies, walking daily, or drinking water instead of soda, that will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Comment:  This is absolutely true!  I used to weigh every morning.  I would make sure I did this as soon as I got out of the shower so I won't even have the weight of my clothes.  Stupid thing to do.  I now weigh once a week, fully clothed.  I also move my scales around.  I've found that they sometimes get 'stuck' on certain readings and keep showing the same each time.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #6

6. Guilt over mistakes. If you are out with friends and get talked into dessert, don’t beat yourself up. “Guilt can set in and, for some people, that gets them moving in a backwards direction". Even if you did enjoy your indulgence, put it in perspective — it’s just one mistake compared to all your good diet choices yesterday, today, and the ones you'll make tomorrow.

Comment:  Been here, many times.  I think our minds use this as a way to quit dieting.  I've found myself indulging in something I shouldn't be eating and the rest of my day is shot.  I allow myself to eat whatever I want for the rest of the day and sometimes the next day.  Then we come to our senses and start back only to fall for it again and again and again.  Reprogram your brain to believe that this is just one failure and not a reason to give up.

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #7

7. Denying yourself your favorite foods. Be it chocolate or bacon, totally banning a favorite “unhealthy” food from your diet sets you up for temptation. Instead, use your calorie-counting skills to build in a small indulgence now and again.

Comment:  What I try to do with this is to allow myself something that I truly love just ONCE a week.  By using the 'lay it down after each bite' I'm able to savor every bite and enjoy it so much more than I've done in the past where I eat it quick and end up grabbing another because I wasn't truly satisfied.  

Countdown to Diet Disasters - #8

8. Eating too fast. If you eat quickly, your brain won’t get the message that you are full in time, says Kathy Hubbert, MS, RD, of EatRight Weight Management Services at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Put the fork down between each bite,” she advises.

Comment:  I've started doing this and it does work.  There are times that I forget to put the fork or sandwich or whatever I'm eating at the time, between bites and have actually ended up still hungry.  That actually happened to me the last time I ate at Arby's.  The Swiss Dip sandwich was something I had not eaten in several years so I wolfed it down.  I still felt hungry when I finished.  This wouldn't have happened if I had put half it in the box, closed the lid and eaten each bite at a time while putting the sandwich down inbetween bites.  Try this!  You'll see what I mean.