Eating
to Healthy Improvement
(ARA) - Almost 100 percent of baby boomers think about healthy eating
habits, but only 20 percent feel they are very informed about what is
healthy for them, according to the results of a survey from
BoomerTowne.com. With so much information and research available about
what is healthy today, it is hard to keep track of the latest health
trends and ways to eat healthy.
Culinary expert, Sara Moulton has partnered with BoomerTowne.com, an
informational Web site for baby boomers, to advise boomers about
straightforward ways they can eat healthy.
Moulton suggests sticking to “super foods” to keep things simple. Super
foods are simply foods that provide more nutritional value than others,
and can vary based on a person’s dietary needs. When shopping for
groceries, keeping a few simple tips in mind will lead to healthier
purchases.
“The most basic health fact one can remember about any food is, the
darker or richer the color, the better it is for you,” states Moulton.
“In addition, less processed foods are always better than those that
are highly processed.”
Below is a list of some foods Moulton has on her “super foods” list.
Blueberries
Besides their wonderful taste, blueberries provide excellent benefits
for the brain. One cup a day, fresh or frozen, can lessen the effects
of both Alzheimer’s disease and damage from a stroke. This fruit, rich
in antioxidants, is easy to eat as a snack or as part of a healthy
breakfast.
Tomatoes
Although fresh tomatoes supply many benefits, it is actually cooked
tomatoes that provide our bodies with the most of the cancer-fighting
antioxidant, lycopene. Canned tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste and
tomato sauce are all good sources of lycopene.
Walnuts
Despite what has been said in the past, fat can be good! Omega-3 fatty
acids, prevalent in walnuts, reduce the risk of heart disease and
reduce hypertension. All nuts provide benefits to the body and can be
used in place of walnuts if desired. A simple way to incorporate nuts
into your diet is to toast them at 350 degrees for ten minutes and
enjoy them alone or add them to baked goods or yogurt.
Wild Salmon
A delicious source of omega-3 fatty acids, wild salmon helps reduce
blood pressure, lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Canned
salmon is almost always wild and is a good alternative when fresh wild
salmon is not in season. Salmon salads and cakes can be easily made
from canned salmon and still provide all the benefits.
Cabbage
Cabbage is full of sulphoraphane glucosinolate, an antioxidant that
helps prevent cancer, more specifically breast cancer. Cabbage can be
bought already shredded at the grocery store and easily used to create
a healthy coleslaw or Asian sauté.
Beans
Beans, both canned and dried, are an excellent low-fat source of
protein, antioxidants and fiber. Adding beans to your diet can reduce
cholesterol and can slow the sugar level in diabetics, preventing the
level from spiking too quickly after meals.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a better source of protein and calcium than milk. Make sure
that the yogurt contains live and active cultures, including probiotics
that help boost the immune system in defending against disease and
illness. An easy way to include yogurt in your diet is to use it as a
base for dip with dill and garlic or in a smoothie with your favorite
fruit.
Whole Grains
Carbohydrates are very important to our diet, especially whole grains.
They provide phytonutrients that help reduce the risk of heart disease,
stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Dark Chocolate
Rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate lowers bad cholesterol, raises
good cholesterol and is thought to have a positive mood altering
effect. Remember, a little goes a long way with dark chocolate so eat
this sweet treat in moderation.
For more information about super foods, visit BoomerTowne.com to watch
Sara Moulton’s informative video.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
