Superfoods: Your Post Holiday Weekend Detox
Memorial Day Weekend has arrived and with that extra day off... well we know what happens. So enjoy the time with friends and family and after the fun of the weekend wraps, be good to your body and allow our list of Superfoods to come to the rescue! Get creative with your menu this week by adding in a powerhouse of brain foods and nutrients to make way for a bit of detox.
1. Beets - These pack a big punch! Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. These are but a few of the many nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be found in beets and beet greens. Take note: They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, work as a purifier for the blood and can prevent various forms of cancer. Beets contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. Beets can also lower your blood pressure and are also a high source of energy! We have a winner, friends.
2. Walnuts - Rich in polyunsaturated fats, they may protect the body’s arteries from the harm associated with eating a meal high in saturated fat. It's all about being proactive with these guys!
3. Berries - They top the charts with their high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals to keep your brain young, skin glowing and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
4. Cabbage - Contains numerous anti-cancer and antioxidant compounds and helps the liver break down excess hormones. Cabbage also cleanses the digestive tract and soothes the stomach, which could in part be due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Score!
5. Dark Chocolate - The magic in the mix are polyphenols, specifically the flavonols. Flavonols are plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Cocoa beans, along with red wine, tea, cranberries, and other fruits, contain large amounts of flavonols. Research is now suggesting that the flavonols in chocolate are responsible for the ability to maintain healthy blood pressure, promote blood flow and promote heart health.
6. Avocados - Avocados are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. An avocado has twice the potassium of a banana. It also contains vitamin E, niacin and riboflavin. That is definitely nutrient-dense! Avocados are full of monounsaturated fats that improve vascular health and blood flow, making them another brain food.
7. Salmon - High in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that seems to decrease the risk of heart disease. This fish is also a prime source of protein and contains vitamin A and B vitamins. No matter what type it is–farm-raised, wild, canned, or smoked–salmon provides omega-3 fat.
8. Garlic - The benefits of garlic come from its rich variety of sulfuric compounds. Of the nearly one hundred nutrients in garlic, the most important in terms of health benefits seems to be the sulfur compound allicin—an amino acid. Allicin is not present in fresh garlic, but it is formed instantly when cloves are crushed, chewed, or cut. Allicin seems to be responsible for the superbiological activity of garlic as well as its odor. In addition to these compounds, garlic is a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
9. Goji Berries - They have become a common sight in the grocery store these days and contain a lot of vitamin C! Immune system boost? Check! Get them dried whole, and in powders and drinks!
10. Spinach - There’s a reason why Popeye loved it so much! Spinach is known for its high levels of vitamin A, giving every forkful of spinach immunity boosting, vision protecting, skin enhancing powers. A cup of cooked spinach packs up to 12% of the recommended daily dose of calcium and enough vitamin K to help prevent bone loss. Un-be-leaf-able!
