|
Top
10 Diet Foods
Your Top 10 'Must-Have' Foods For Healthy Living, Weight Loss:
1. Oats. The b-glucan in whole oats reduces the risk of
coronary heart disease. The soluble fiber is vital in lowering
cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugars.
2. Soybeans. The bioactive ingredients in soy products
suppress formation of blood vessels that feed cancer cells. Soy
helps stabilize hormone levels in women, as well as decrease the
risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and ovarian, breast, and
prostate cancer.
3. Tomatoes. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, is a
carotenoid that fights the uncontrolled growth of cells into
tumors. It fights cancer of the colon, bladder, pancreas and
prostate.
4. Cold Water Seafood. Healthy EPA/omega-3 oils are shown
to turn on fat oxidation, decrease risk of coronary artery
disease, stabilize blood sugars, increase brainpower, and reduce
inflammatory response. Seafood reduces "bad" LDL
cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising levels of
"good" HDL cholesterol.
5. Flaxseed. A unique source of lignans, powerful
antioxidants that are believed to stop cells from turning
cancerous. Flaxseed also contains alpha-linolenic acid, the
plant version of the omega-3s found in fish oils. It makes a
great healthy option for people who don't eat fish.
6.
Garlic. Rich in allicin, which boosts immune function and
reduces cancer risk, garlic also has strong anti-viral effects
and has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol
levels.
7. Hot Peppers. A source of capsaicin, a vital immune,
mood and metabolic booster with powerful anti-viral effects.
Capsaicin is linked to decreased risk of stomach cancer due to
its ability to neutralize nitrosamines, a cancer-causing
compound formed in the body when cured or charred meats are
consumed. Capsaicin also kills bacteria believed to cause
stomach ulcers... and appears to turn on the fat-burning
capacity.
8. Sweet Potatoes. A rival of carrots as a potent source
of beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which help prevent
cataracts and protect the body from free radicals and cancer
-– particularly cancer of the larynx, esophagus, and lungs.
9. Grapes. Grape skins contain a high concentration of
resveratrol, which appears to block the formation of coronary
artery plaque, as well as tumor formation and growth. Red grape
juice or red wine is considered a better source of resveratrol
than white, which are made without the grape skins.
10. Cruciferous Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, and brussels sprouts contain indoles, sulforaphane,
and isothiocyanates, which protect cells from damage by
carcinogens, block tumor formation, and help the liver to
inactivate hormone-like compounds that may promote cancer.
Tips for
Managing Your Weight
There is no question that maintaining a healthy weight is
important to overall health, but not everyone can or will be a
size 6. The good news is that even if you're significantly
overweight, a modest weight loss -- 10 percent of your body
weight -- can produce dramatic improvements in health, such as
improved
blood
pressure,
cholesterol
and blood sugar levels.
But before you resolve this
new year to banish all "fattening" foods from your
kitchen and subsist on carrot sticks and tuna, read on.
|
