Your Top 10 ‘Must-Have’ Foods For Healthy Living, Weight Loss:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
