Turbo-Charge Your Nutrition with Super foods:

Not all foods are created equal. Even among natural or health foods, nutritional content and density varies widely. If you’re looking to get the most health bang for your food buck, explore super foods — foods that contain a high phytonutrient content which, research indicates, may positively impact overall health and immune response. Below is a list of 14 foods commonly considered to be part of the super food category:


Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants and high in potassium and vitamin C, blueberries are great for toping cereal, adding to yogurt or eating on-the-go.

Beans: A great and inexpensive source of low-fat protein, beans are even more important for those on meat-free diets. The high fiber content of beans can promote colon health and their iron, potassium, and magnesium content are important phytonutrients in fighting cancer.

Broccoli: Packed with vitamins C and K, broccoli is also a great source of fiber, iron, calcium and folate.

Oats: Oats are an important part of a heart-healthy diet. B-vitamins, fiber, protein, zinc, copper and potassium are all found in this whole grain.

Oranges: It’s not just the vitamin-C that helps oranges make the super food list. Oranges (as well as other citrus fruits) contain flavinoids – powerful antioxidants that help fight cancer by preventing initial cell mutations in the body.

Pumpkin: It’s not just for Thanksgiving — embrace pumpkin every season. Its alpha carotene, beta carotene, vitamins C and E make it an essential part of a nutrient-rich diet.

Wild Salmon: Lean protein, vitamin B, and Omega-3 fatty acids are all found in salmon. Look for wild-caught salmon – it’s less likely to contain contaminants than farm-raised.

Soy: A 2003 study by The Journal of the American Medical Association found that a diet rich in soy fiber lowered cholesterol as much as the often-prescribed statins. Good sources of soy are edamame, tofu and soy milk.

Spinach: Spinach packs a punch – it’s low in calories, yet high in protein, iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, K and C.

Green tea or black tea: Both green and black tea has antioxidant properties. Green tea has the added benefit of ECGC a particularly powerful antioxidant that’s been shown to lower bad cholesterol and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene – a powerful antioxidant also found in other red fruits like strawberries, watermelon and cherries. Preliminary research indicates that lycopene may be especially beneficial in preventing prostate cancer.

Turkey: Rich in iron, B vitamins and zinc, turkey is a versatile alternative to beef.

Walnuts: Walnuts are power-packed with fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamins E and B6.

Yogurt: Yogurt contains probiotics — live bacteria important to proper digestion. Calcium, B vitamins and protein also help make yogurt an important part of healthy eating.

As with any lifestyle or dietary change, it’s always a good idea to first seek advice from your physician, especially if you have a particular health concern. But as the body of research grows, super foods are fast becoming recognized as essential ingredients in a well-rounded, nutrient-conscious diet plan. If you struggle with embracing a particular diet or nutritional regimen, try adding a few super foods to your menu each day, then work your way up to integrating a few in each meal. As your familiarity with each food grows, challenge yourself a few times a week to create meals comprised entirely of super food ingredients. I think you’ll be surprised at the flavor, variety, versatility and health benefits of embracing a diet rich in super foods.

Check out my Current Newsletter @ http://polkextension.com check under Families & Consumers & then Newsletters.

Joyce Tompkins

Polk County Extension Service

J6256@ufl.edu (863)519-8677 X114

Read more...

How to save Food Dollars on food without even noticing

1. Eat vegetarian a few nights a week.


Try to include a couple of vegetarian meals in your menu for the week. Skipping meat, even once or twice a week, can help save money, since meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal. Savings: $210 per year. (Replace 1 pound of sirloin [$5.99] with a 14-ounce block of tofu [$1.96] once a week for a year.)
 
2. Minimize waste.


One of the easiest ways to save money is to make sure you’re not wasting food. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw out more than 25 percent of the food we prepare. And a study at the University of Arizona that tracked food use and waste from production to the table to the landfill estimated that the average American family of four throws out $590 worth of food each year. So we need to do a better job of using leftovers and learn what to do with food before it’s past its peak. Savings: $590 per year. (Estimated value of the food an average American household of four wastes in a year.)
 
3. Plug in the slow cooker.


If you don’t have hours to spend at home tending a braise, then try a slow cooker. It will give you the same effect (i.e., it makes inexpensive cuts of meat meltingly tender), but you can plug it in, leave for the day and come home to a dinner like a Rich Chicken Stew or one of our other easy, healthy slow-cooker recipes. Inexpensive cuts of meat that work wonderfully in the slow cooker include chicken thighs, pork shoulder, beef chuck etc....Savings: $78 per year. (Replace 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast [$4.99] with 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs [$3.49] once a week for a year.)
 
4. Discover great ways to use canned fish.


Just like their fresh counterparts, canned salmon and tuna provide omega-3 fats, which help keep your heart healthy by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure. The difference: canned fish is significantly cheaper. Savings: $224 per year. (Replace 1 pound of fresh tuna [$7.99] with 1 pound of canned tuna [$3.68] once a week for a year.)
 
5. Don’t order a pizza. Make one at home.


Ordering pizza seems like a cheap and quick solution for dinner. But a typical pie costs more than $15. You can make your own at home, using leaner meats & veggies for a lot less and in about the same amount of time delivery takes. Savings: $520 per year. (Make pizza once a week instead of ordering.)

6. Pack a lunch.


When you’re busy at work, the easiest choice is to grab a bite to eat someplace nearby. The problem is that the cost of buying lunch takes a toll on your food budget. (The average lunch at the national chain Panera Bread, which specializes in sandwiches, soups and salads, is $8.50.) Try bringing a lunch from home. When you make dinner, think about what you’re going to eat for lunch tomorrow. If you’re making a salad, make a little extra and put it in a container, undressed. And what about your leftovers? If you have a little extra chicken or half a can of beans, toss that in with your lunch salad. Make more than you’ll need for dinner, and reheat it for lunch the next day. Savings: $1,375 per year. (Replace an $8.50 lunch with a $3 lunch from home 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.)
 
Its easy to see that with just a little planning you can save a ton of money on your food budget!

Read more...