One way to help assess the nutrition merits of a diet or eating plan, is to check out the number of super foods it contains. Super foods are better than others for your health. They can extend your “health span”, prevent disease and may even reverse the effects of aging.
So, if you’re dieting make sure that you include these foods to help you transform into a superman or woman.
Let’s take a closer look at five more of the best:
Nuts
Nuts contain healthy oils, fibre, vitamins and minerals, potent phytochemicals and the amino acid arginine. They’re no longer a dieter’s foe with research showing that regular nut eaters often maintain a healthy weight. There’s also compelling research linking nuts and heart health with findings that a serve of nuts (30-45g), five times a week, may cut the risk of coronary heart disease in half.
Soy beans
These beans are an excellent source of high quality protein, containing twice as much protein as any other legume. The active ingredients are the soy protein and plant phyto-oestrogens (isoflavones) which have positive benefits for heart disease and possibly diabetes control, cancer protection (breast, colon, prostate) and decreasing menopausal symptoms.
Broccoli
Belongs to the brassica or cruciferous family and is packed with nutrients like vitamins C and A, riboflavin, folate, calcium, and iron. It also contains indoles shown to block oestrogen receptors in breast cancer cells and sulforaphane, which also kills abnormal cells.
Tomato
These vibrant red fruits are packed with the anti-oxidant lycopene. Lycopene offers a host of benefits including heart health and protection against prostate cancer. Interestingly you can increase the absorption of the lycopene in tomatoes by cooking in a small amount of olive oil. What great news for pasta lovers!
Red meat
Of course, when you’re dieting, only lean meat will do. It may be lean but healthy red meat cuts still pack a mean punch of iron and zinc and also supply vitamin B12, protein and omega 3 fats. To reap the rewards you only need to factor in 3-4 serves a week, such as a palm-size serve of steak; beef strips in a stir-fry and Thai beef salad for lunch.
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