FOOD FOR HEALTH
Healthy food pairings that
Supercharge health and diet
By Sandeep Godiyal
(NN) What if eating the right combinations of foods had the
ability to impact the body for the good? Some things just go
together well, but inside the body they can pack a powerful
punch when paired with the right component. So many
people want to go on restrictive diets that are actually not
healthy. Having a varied diet that incorporates a wide variety
of nutrients is not only healthy but can help lose weight faster.
To super boost a healthy eating lifestyle, try pairing some of
the following blends.
1. Tomatoes and avocado
This dynamic duo is known to reduce inflammation.
Tomatoes are commonly used in Mexican foods, and adding
a little avocado may take it to a whole new level. Avocado has
a healthy fat and it can absorb lycopene in the body. A study
from the Ohio State University showed that people who added
avocado to their salsa mix were absorbing more than 4x more
lycopene. Eating foods rich in lycopene plays a role in cancer
prevention. It can also help with inflammatory disease and
can prevent cataracts.
2. Green tea and lemon juice
This pair allows the body to have greater antioxidant absorption.
Any tea with lemon tastes good, but adding lemon juice to a
drink has a great deal of health benefits. The citrus juice when
added to green tea helps the body to have an increased ability to
absorb antioxidants. The more lemon juice the better.
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fall issue 2014
3. Pasta and vinegar
Pasta is great but adding a bit of vinegar to it will help a
person feel full longer and fight fat. Many people eat a big
plate of pasta but are hungry soon after. Because of its sugar
content, pasta causes one's sugar levels to spike. However, the
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vinegar can
reduce these glucose spikes. Cold pasta salads with vinegar
dressing work well.
4. Skim milk and banana
Want stronger bones, have some skimmed milk and bananas.
Dairy products are full of calcium. Bananas help with calcium
absorption and can create strong and healthy bones. Try a
smoothie with bananas and milk and add some oatmeal for
bulk. Bones become brittle as person begins to age, but the
potassium and calcium in this mixture is great for bone health.
5. Fish and red wine
Fish and red wine are both known to enhance heart health,
but putting them together is an ultra-mix for the body. A nice
piece of salmon with a glass of red wine may be heart healthy
and provide great antioxidants for the whole body. An omega3-rich fatty fish, like salmon and trout, just increases these
body benefits further. But bear in mind they are not calorie
free. Try to stick to a glass of wine that is about 4 ounces
coupled with 4 ounces of fish, and add garlic to the mix for an
extra immune system boost. Talk about a delicious treat that
is also healthy, fish with garlic and red wine is a truly heart
healthy dinner.