The New Year is finally here, and you have already planned
out your workouts for the next month and your 30 day detox plan. Let’s be
realistic- how long with that last? Instead of going on a crazy 500 calorie a
day diet, why not incorporate healthy foods into your every day life? Make a
goal to include the following 5 foods into your daily nutrition plan. If you are not used to eating these
foods, then begin incorporating one of these foods each day. Remember, each
time you take a bite of food you are either nourishing or damaging your body.
So be sure to nourish your body on a daily basis!
Here are the top 5 foods to add to your daily nutrition
plan!
1)
Kale- this is my new favorite “green” food. It
is so versatile! You can add it into your smoothies, sauté it as a side dish,
or even make kale chips! It is full of vitamins such as A, C, K, and E. Kale
has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer
properties. (1)
2)
Coconut oil- when cooking, it’s best to use an
oil that will be able to withstand the high temperatures of cooking. Olive oil
has a very low smoke point, which means it begins to break down during cooking
and can produce toxic substances. Coconut oil has very high smoke point,
meaning it can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. Because
coconut oil is a super-healthy fat, it also helps us feel full for a longer
period of time! I love using Kelapo Coconut oil- Here is a link to their website.
3)
Wild-Alaskan Salmon- not only is salmon
delicious, but it contains the very important omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s help with heart health,
memory, and can even promote fat loss (3). Salmon is also a high protein food,
which will help you build muscle right after your workout.
4)
Blueberries- I love to add blueberries to my
protein shakes or just eat them plain. Not only do they taste great, but they
are full of antioxidants! They also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese,
and fiber. They have even been shown to have cardiovascular and cognitive
benefits. (3,4)
5)
Water- this last one isn’t a food- but it is so important I could
not leave it out! Too many people rely on coffee, juices, and soft-drinks as
their daily fluid intake. This is just not good enough. Water keeps us
hydrated, helps us with body temperature regulation, and keeps our skin looking
youthful! To spice up your water-add lemon or lime juice. If you want to be
even more creative, your can infuse your water with different herbs.
1)
Ambrosone CB, Tang L. Cruciferous vegetable
intake and cancer prevention: role of nutrigenetics. Cancer Prev Res (Phila
Pa). 2009 Apr;2(4):298-300. 2009.
2)
Basu A, Du M, Leyva MJ et al. Blueberries
Decrease Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Men and Women with Metabolic
Syndrome. The Journal of Nutrition. Bethesda: Sep 2010. Vol. 140, Iss. 9; p.
1582-1587. 2010.
3)
Fish Oil: Dr. Hector Lopez, chief medical for
Applied Health Sciences (speaking at the 10th annual ISSN conference in
Colorado Springs)
4)
Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA et al.
Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults. J Agric Food Chem.
2010 April 14; 58(7): 3996-4000. 2010.
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