…according to Men’s Health. As I was searching for super foods or healthy foods that are unknown, I actually found an article that features 10 “best foods” you’re not eating. I was surprised to see that I’ve had about 8 out of 10 of them on a somewhat regular basis before. I’ll feature the 10 foods here on 10 consecutive days along with information on these super foods from other sources.
We’ll start this off with the first one in no particular order:
#1 Beets
[Taken from Men's Health] “There are many superfoods that never see the inside of a shopping cart. Some you’ve never heard of, and others you’ve simply forgotten about. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch. Make a place for them on your table and you’ll instantly upgrade your health—without a prescription.
These grungy-looking roots are naturally sweeter than any other vegetable, which means they pack tons of flavor underneath their rugged exterior.
Why they’re healthy: Think of beets as red spinach. Just like Popeye’s powerfood, this crimson vegetable is one of the best sources of both folate and betaine. These two nutrients work together to lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, the natural pigments – called betacyanins—that give beets their color have been proved to be potent cancer fighters in laboratory mice.
How to eat them: Fresh and raw, not from a jar. Heating beets actually decreases their antioxidant power. For a simple single-serving salad, wash and peel one beet, and then grate it on the widest blade of a box grater. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.
You can eat the leaves and stems, which are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Simply cut off the stems just below the point where the leaves start, and wash thoroughly. They’re now ready to be used in a salad. Or, for a side dish, sauté the leaves, along with a minced clove of garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil, in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender. Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese.” [end article]
I’ve actually juiced many times with beets when I was experiencing liver problems and it helped tremendously. Be aware that jucing too much with beets will turn your cheeks red as I noticed so I cut back a little. Also, beets havea strong pungy taste so it’s best mixed with carotts and apples or other such fruit. In the end, I grew to appreciate beets because of the health benefits I noticed.
For more info on beets and their health benefits visit: http://www.whfoods.com
As always, thanks for reading and join us today to take back your health! Make it a great day,
Jacob
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“Making Diet History by Making Diet’s History”
http://thisisnotadiet.org
Filed under: Food, Health, Health Tips, Internet Articles, Jacob's Post's | Tagged: Carrot, Healthy Foods, Juicing, men's health, Red Beets, Super Foods
