Mother Was Right

Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables. It is almost impossible to get
too much of these foods. They are full of vitamins, minerals,
antioxidants and phytonutrients, as well as high in complex
carbohydrates. And fruits and vegetables are an important source
of fiber, as well. Even the much maligned potato, eaten baked
with the skin on, is full of vitamins C and B6, potassium, and
nearly 5 grams of fiber!

When eaten raw, the enzymes that most vegetables and fruits
contain help the body process foods better. Enzymes are an
essential part of our diet, and if it is not found in food, the
body must draw from its store of energy to produce enzymes for
digestion, instead of other important jobs, such as fighting
disease.

Phytochemicals are nutritional substances that recently have
been in the news frequently. These are naturally occurring
chemicals in plants that are thought to possess disease-fighting
properties and play a potentially important role in fighting
cancer and heart disease. Recent research demonstrates that they
stimulate enzymes that breakdown carcinogens into harmless
substances, and appear to be particularly protective against
stomach and intestinal cancers.

Most whole foods contain phytochemicals, including whole grains,
beans and herbs. Garlic and cruciferous vegetables like
broccoli, are some of the richest sources of phytonutrients, as
well as fruits like blueberries, cherries and apples.

If you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), go easy on
the raw cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage,
cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts and rutabagas.) They are
believed by some to help depress the thyroid function when eaten
raw. But don’t avoid these important vegetables, just be sure to
cook them. On the other hand, if you are suffering from
hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), you should eat plenty
of raw cruciferous vegetables.

Many studies have shown that increasing your vegetable and fruit
intake may dramatically reduce or even prevent other chronic
diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Some scientists are
now recommending up to nine servings a day of fruits and
vegetables.

To get the most from your diet, try to eat a variety of
different fruits and vegetables. Choose leafy greens often, lots
of berries, and try to eat as many colors as you can, since
every color of fruit or vegetable will give you different
benefits.

The Japanese have a tradition of choosing foods with five
different colors and flavors for their meals. The five colors
they include are yellow, black, white, green, and red. The five
flavors included are sweet, spicy, salty, bitter and sour. Take
an example from the Japanese and think variety. Be daring– try
out new foods and food combinations.

1. Prev:To Build Muscle, Get A Tan!
2. Next:Seven Crucial Steps for Long Term Weight Loss – Part 1