Seasonal Superfoods for a Healthier You

Seasonal Health through better eating

With fall almost over and winter on the way, your personal health is even more important than ever. It’s flu season once again, and that means sniffles, sneezes, and a compromised immune system. In addition to exercise and making sure to get enough sunlight every day, there’s a lot you can do for your body from the inside out. Seasonal Superfoods are one of the tastiest and easiest ways to make sure you stay healthy this winter, but check with your local Chiropractor or Physician to rule out any allergies you may have before enjoying:

Brussels Sprouts

These are an excellent source of Vitamin K, which aids in blood coagulation and calcium binding. Also containing Folate and Iron, this member of the cabbage family is an excellent all-a-rounder. Though your mother may have steamed them and dipped them in mayonnaise, a light drizzle of olive oil and bake in the oven results in an excellent crispy shell and subtle nutty flavor.

Squash

Containing the highly sought after Omega-3 Fatty Acids of fish fame are enough to put squash on the list, but did you know they also contain a significant amount of Vitamin A? Vitamin A aids in a number of important functions, not the least of which is immune system functions and visual health. There’s a number of excellent ways to prepare these fruits depending on the type. A local favorite is hollowed out, oven baked, brown sugar smothered Acorn Squash. It’s one of the most surefire ways to get children to eat their vegetables.

Sweet Potatoes

These root vegetables share similar properties to our previous entries. As a great source of Vitamin A and Iron these come recommended, but I bet you weren’t aware that they also have anti-inflammatory properties. When you get stiff joints and you’re hungry to boot, roasting lends them an earthy, smokey flavor while the perennial favorite, sweet potato pie, brings out the natural sugary taste that gives them their name.
When those family get together’s start occurring more regularly, don’t forget that what you eat can have a major impact on how you feel. There’s a lot of wonderful seasonal foods to explore, with a variety of benefits to enjoy, so keep your taste buds and your body happy and healthy this holiday season. For more information about how your diet can impact your health, contact your local Chiropractor.

The Best Vegetables To Eat For Weight Loss Results

 

Vegetables are a main part of the diets of millions of people around the world. They are very good for your body, boosting your immune system and giving you energy you may not otherwise have. Nutrition is very important to everyone in the world, and vegetables are a huge part of having good nutrition. Many weight loss in Vancouver professionals also say that vegetables can help you reach a body weight you are happy with. If you want to lose weight and be healthy while doing it, there are several vegetables that you can focus on introducing to your diet.
Cucumber
While one of the most common and, perhaps, boring vegetables, cucumbers can greatly help those who are interested in weight loss. The cucumber is extremely low in calories and contains a lot of water inside of it. Cucumber can be sliced and served by itself, or introduced in salads alongside other varieties of vegetables. If you like, you can even grill cucumbers before eating to give them even more flavor.
Broccoli
Broccoli is another vegetable that is perfect for weight loss. Broccoli contains absolutely no fat at all, while including good carbohydrates that are slow to release, meaning you will have more energy overall once you have eaten a few. Broccoli can also be prepared in numerous ways, from boiling to steaming to grilling.
Spinach
Spinach is widely available and has significant health benefits for humans. You can include it with a sandwich or a salad, or even cook it in sauces that will give it a little flavor. Spinach contains many antioxidants that will give you energy and promote lower cholesterol and a healthy heart.
Carrots
Carrots contain a good amount of antioxidants that promote healthy vision and a healthy immune system. Carrots can be prepared in a wide variety of ways as well. You can put them in salads, eat them raw, or chop them up and mix them with other ingredients.
Celery
Celery is similar to cucumbers in that it contains a lot of water and hardly any calories. Celery makes a fantastic snack when you are on the go, as it can be eaten raw or cooked with other ingredients, and it contains a lot of antioxidants that fight cancer and promote a healthy immune system.

Nuts That Can Be Great For Your Health

Introducing a variety of nuts to your everyday snack routine can be a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many experts have gone on record to say that nuts are fantastic choices for those interested in nutrition in Vancouver. Nuts have been linked to a number of health benefits, including lower cholesterol, heart health, weight control, and even cancer prevention. While some people tend to stay away from nuts due to fat and calorie intake, a small handful every once in a while can actually give you a lot of benefits and lead to you enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
Walnuts
Walnuts contain the most antioxidants of all the nuts. These antioxidants protect your body from cellular damage and premature aging. Walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are a huge part of battling inflammation. If you do not enjoy too much seafood in your diet, walnuts can be especially beneficial to you, as they are a great way to get these healthy, unsaturated fats.
Almonds
If fiber is one of your concerns, introduce a few almonds into snack time. Almonds have about three grams of fiber for every ounce, and they also contain the most vitamin E, which is a very powerful antioxidant. Almonds are fantastic for those worried about blood sugar levels as well, as people who snack on almonds can see cholesterol levels and insulin resistance decrease over time. Almonds raise the amount of good bacteria in your gut as well, which can help boost your immune system.
Cashew
For iron and zinc intake, the cashew is your best option. Iron helps with the delivery of oxygen to all of your cells, which prevents anemia. Zinc is a crucial component of immune system and vision health. Cashews also contain large levels of magnesium, which helps fight memory loss in those who suffer from it.
Pecans
Pecans are fantastic for your heart, and can improve your heart health over a period of time. They are among the nuts most rich in antioxidants, and can contribute greatly to lowered cholesterol. Some reported a thirty-three percent decrease in their cholesterol levels. They can also contribute to your brain health, keeping your mind sharp and aware for a longer period of time, as well as prevent age related brain deterioration. Pecans have also been noted to help fight and prevent Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Basic Nutrition Advice To Keep In Mind

Proper nutrition can be intimidating for someone who is unfamiliar with the finer points of dietary science. However, if you are interested in eating better overall and increasing your health, knowing how your diet can affect your body is the first step. For many people, an improved diet goes together with a more active lifestyle and better health overall. Getting started with proper nutrition in Vancouver is only the first step to overall health. You will also want to mix in massage therapy and other methods offered by a professional health clinic. You can use these basic nutrition tips to help you get started on the road to better health.
Do Not Overeat
Stuffing yourself full of whatever you can find is not the best way to handle a diet. You should focus on finding a good balance between hunger and fullness that leaves you comfortable but not starving. Food is energy for your body, but too much food can limit you and make you feel even worse in the long run. Only eat what your body requires and you will feel a lot better about yourself and your lifestyle.
Natural Food is Best
Try to focus your diet on things that grow and come around naturally. You want to input fruits, vegetables, beans, and lean sources of meat into your diet, and stay away from processed foods and other items that come from the factory. This is not always an easy thing to do, so be sure to check labels to find out what is being put into the food you eat. Processed foods and too much sugar can have negative effects on your metabolism and will leave you feeling rotten in the long run.
Avoid Artificial Toxins
Artificial sweeteners are very bad for you. You should think of these as toxins that slow your body’s metabolism and have other negative effects on your health. Diet sodas and other sugar free products should be taken away from your diet completely, as they provide nothing but negative effects on your body.
Other advice includes drinking a lot of water and limiting your portion sizes. Eat slowly and enjoy the meal, as there will be less of it, even though you should be satisfied afterward. Overeating and portion sizes are enemies of a proper diet, so controlling your intake and knowing what you are eating is always preferable. There are many more details to a healthy diet, but the above tips should help you get started.