Superfoods Best For Women
There’s so much emphasis placed on diet these days. And for women, the list of nutrients we need in the form of fresh food is quite specific as opposed to those that men may need.
Without a good diet we really have no chance at good health. Good food is the fuel that runs our very complicated and finely tuned bodies. Put the wrong fuel in your car and you’ll very quickly know about it. Our bodies are so robust that they’ll often soldier on for years on the wrong fuel before something goes wrong. But why put your long-suffering body through such torture? Why not choose fuels sources that are “premium” for your machine.
As women, we have a better chance of addressing our requirements with foods from the list of foods below :
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous veggie. It’s in the same family with cauliflower and brussels sprouts. This family of veggies contains the nutrient sulforaphane which is purported to cause the leukemia and melanoma cells to self-destruct. Sulforaphane has also been shown in tests to slow the progress of breast cancer. 1 cup of raw broccoli will supply 135% of your daily vitamin C needs.
Beets
Beets, or beetroot as it’s known here in Australia is a wonderful vegetable for lowering blood pressure. The lifestyle that many women lead today means that we are all at risk of suffering from this silent killer. Managing jobs, families, husbands and friends plus a host of other ventures means that we as women are under pressure. Beetroot is extremely high in folate which is responsible for assisting in the manufacture of new cells and preventing DNA damage. DNA damage is a known precursor to cancer. It is also known to boost workout stamina so get into the beet juice before hitting the gym.
Turmeric
It’s the nutrient curcumin in turmeric that gives it it’s orange colour. That curcumin is very important in would and infection healing. It addresses inflammation very effectively without the need for blood pressure-raising anti-inflammatory drugs. And there’s a reason why so few inhabitants of India suffer Alzheimers. Turmeric helps to prevent that illness and at the same time helps to promote good digestion.
If you don’t care to smell like curry all day, I have an excellent supplement range that carries this nutrient in a capsule. Feel free to make an appointment or contact me to discuss this if you feel you could use it.
Sardines
Sardines are loaded with vitamin D, calcium, and a wonderful nutrient called selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that helps to keep the immune system fighting fit and protects cells from damage. As women, because of the enormous emotional load we carry supporting everyone else’s needs, it follows that our immune systems would be under a larger load as well.
Also, sardines are a very good source of omega 3 which as you know supports joints and brain function to name a few.
Kale
This very powerful vegetable is in the same family with broccoli. It’s a powerful preventive against cancer and supports the heart. It’s full of vitamin C. This bitter veggie will also help to keep your complexion clear and your eyes bright.
Blueberries
Blueberries as mentioned in a previous article are one of nature’s super antioxidants. Not only that, they do aid in anti-inflammatory actions in the body. We know that sustained inflammation anywhere in the body can be a precursor to cancer so it’s always a good idea to deal with it as quickly as possible. Blueberries will help.
Black Beans
Black beans are tradition in Mexican food. They are high in many minerals including folate, magnesium and iron. They also contain more omega 3 than other members of the legume family. Cell regeneration, red blood cell production, immune system support and good nervous system support. Black beans are interesting because they are one of the few foods that cross over into two different categories of the food pyramid. They are a protein and they also qualify as a carbohydrate.
Tart Cherries
Not to be confused with sweet black cherries, which are an excellent food but do not contain the same amount of therapeutic value as the bright red tart cherries. Tart cherries are beneficial in the management of pain and like black beans are indicated in anti-inflammatory support. As such, they are a lovely food to consume if you have arthritis or gout. Tart cherries make an excellent snack if you’re using the gym as they support quick recovery from post workout muscle soreness.
Almonds
Almonds are a wonderful healthy way to support your heart function. They are also very important for gut health. Prebiotics are non-digestible food parts that create probiotics when they pass through your intestines. Almonds, along with other high-fiber foods, belong to this category and may play a role in improving stomach problems, like irritable bowel disorders and diarrhea, and boosting calcium absorption
Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is a grain rich in protein. It contains all 9 essential amino acids. As you may know, amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Amino acids make up all of the muscles, tendons, glands and organs in the body. As the human body is not capable of storing Amino acids, they must be consumed daily in the form of a healthy diet. Quinoa fulfills that requirement.
Also try: Kiwifruit
This petite fruit contains about 70 milligrams of vitamin C—more than an orange and just 5 milligrams short of the daily recommendation for women. Research links C to improved eyesight, lower cancer risks, and better heart health. All that and a younger-looking outside, too: A high intake of C makes wrinkles less noticeable, according to Melina Jampolis, MD, a San Francisco–based physician who specializes in nutrition and is the author of The Busy Person’s Guide to Permanent Weight Loss.
