New Year’s resolution time has come and gone and if your resolution was to maintain your health and eat better in 2010, then the following foods and drinks should be high on your grocery list.
Grains- Dieticians suggest that you increase your intake of oats, barley and rye in 2010. For years, doctors have been telling patients that eating oats can bring down your cholesterol and recent studies show that rye can, too. The American Diabetes Association has also noted that eating a diet high in fiber and grains, like rye, can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Adding barley to your diet, whether it is as a side dish or inside a soup or casserole, can also lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Salmon and other oily fish- If the diagnosis is to get more vitamin D this year, then get your fill with salmon and other oily fish – such as, mackerel, sardines, herring, fresh tuna, trout and anchovies. Oily fish are some of the only food sources of vitamin D. These fish are also good for curbing cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of oily fish per week, but warns against eating too much more than that because some oily fish contain mercury, which can affect your brain and nervous system.
Soy- If 2010 is your year to help reduce your risk of cancer, then soy may be your answer. Research has shown that soy can ward off certain cancers as well as have an impact on your heart. According to ABC News soy can also help breast cancer survivors.
A new study published in December of 2009 suggests that breast cancer survivors may benefit from eating moderate amounts of soy products. Soy foods are rich in compounds called isoflavones, a major group of plant-derived phytoestrogens possessing both estrogen-like and anti-estrogen actions. Researchers found that a higher intake of soy food, up to 11 grams daily, was associated with a lower risk of death or recurrence of breast cancer during follow up.
The Food and Drug Administration also states that 25 grams of soy protein a day can reduce heart problems by helping to lower cholesterol levels. To add soy to your diet, you can find it in soy burgers, tofu and soy milk.
Red Wine- While you will rarely hear any doctor advising that you drink any alcohol, red wine may just be the exception. Research shows that antioxidants in red wine, polyphenols, aid in protecting the lining of blood vessels in the heart. These antioxidants come in the form of flavonoids and nonflavonoids, which red wine has more than any other food or drink.
As found on MSNBC.com thanks to its alcohol content and non-alcoholic phytochemicals, wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and slow the progression of neurological degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
However, the amount of wine you drink matters tremendously. If you drink more than what’s recommended, your health benefits are lost and health risks actually go up. Men should consume no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one drink per day, with a drink defined as a 5-ounce glass of red or white wine, 12 ounces or 1 bottle of regular beer or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Remember, when adding or making substitutions to your diet moderation is essential. Anything that is good for you can easily become bad for you if consumed excessively. But by following these guidelines and including these healthy food and drink choices into your diet you could be well on your way to a healthier and slimmer lifestyle.
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So we survived the Holidays and New Years is just around the corner. A wonderful time of celebration, friends, champagne, and of course New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions are wonderful ways to better ourselves and finally attempt to become the productive, happy, healthy person that we know we can be.
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For example, I remember often getting so worried and worked up about an upcoming test that I would physically make myself sick. Or how about the time you ate that chocolate macadamia nut cookie the size of your head and more than likely your total allotment of calories for the whole day, only to encounter overwhelming feelings of guilt and self-loathing? Emotions such as anxiety, guilt and self-loathing can easily build and create an emotional downward spiral that is detrimental to your overall spiritual and physical health. Emotions manifest themselves physically and when trying to combat health issues it’s important to start with the correct frame of mind.