Think Before You Eat

In the mood to be posting a bunch of random crap today. So I'll probably have a few more posts up in a little bit. But for now FOOD FACTS!

Calcium - Soybeans (edamame), spinach, calcium-fortified juices, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products - Essential for strong bones and teeth, calcium also helps nerves, glands, and your muscles function.
Omega-3 fatty acids - Kiwi fruit, walnuts, salmon - Improves memory and learning, and helps prevent depression.
Folic-acid - Orange juice, lettuce, dried peas, spinach, and beans - Improves memory, vocabulary, and the ability to learn new things.
Magnesium - Almonds, artichoke hearts, black beans, cashews, chick peas, lentils, peanuts, red kidney beans - Feeds over 300 enzymes that keep your body running.
Vitamin A - Apricots, carrots, chili peppers, grapefruit, mango, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons - Protects the body from infection and helps maintain healthy vision and skin.
Vitamin C - Apricots, bell peppers, cabbage, cantaloupes, grapefruits, kiwi fruit, lemons, limes, oranges, papaya, pine apples, spinach, tomatoes, watermelons - Helps keep gums and teeth healthy and helps cuts or wounds heal.


SMART FOOD 


Banana - Contains potassium and helps to prevent ulcers.
Barley - Lowers cholesterol because it is high in the good fat (HDLs, high-density lipoproteins).
Cheese - Fights cavities because it contains calcium.
Chili peppers - Good for bronchitis, colds, and sinusitis.
Cucumber - Breaks up cholesterol deposits.
Figs - Helps to stabilize blood sugar, which keeps energy levels high.
Fiber - It helps to rid your body of waste and also makes you feel full. Fiber is found in fruits and vegetables and whole-grain cereal. It is not digestible.
Horseradish - It's sharp and strong, but fights colds because the root contains an antibiotic and vitamin C.
Kale - Contains calcium for building bones plus the same beta carotene found in carrots that helps fight germs.
Milk (low fat) - Contains calcium, which helps to build strong teeth and bones.
Prunes - An excellent natural laxative because of their fiber content.
Yogurt - The live culture in yogurt acidophilus helps the body to fight intestine and yeast infections.
Water - The best liquid to drink because it purifies your bloodstream and cleans your cells and tissues.


JUNK FOOD


Cakes and Cookies - Contain too much sugar and not enough vitamins and minerals.
Colas - Have lots of sugar and few nutrients; may contain caffeine, an addictive drug.
Ice cream - Has many nutrients but is full of sugar and fats.
Imitation fruit drinks - Mostly sugar and water, with artificial flavors and colors added. Contain very little pure fruit juice.
Potato chips - Although made from potatoes, they are deep fried and contain lots of salt and fat.
Sugar-coated cereal - Half cereal and half sugar.

• Chicken soup fights congestion that comes with a cold. Chicken has an amino acid that thins the mucous lining of the sinuses, thus relieving stuffiness.
• Garlic and onions kill flu and cold viruses.
• Fish is good for your brain. The mineral zinc is found in fish and shellfish. Studies show that even a minimal deficiency of zinc impairs thinking and memory.
• Blueberries fight the bacteria that causes diarrhea.
• Bananas are a natural antacid. They soothe heartburn or gastric distress.
• Spinach is good for your spirits. It contains lots of folic acid. If your body doesn't have enough folic acid, you may feel depressed.
• Ginger root fights nausea caused by motion sickness and relieves migraine headaches. Make a tea of fresh ginger root by simmering it in water for ten minutes.
• Eat onions to fight insomnia. Onions contain a mild natural sedative called quercetin.
• Yogurt with acidophilus fights the bacteria that causes vaginal yeast infections.