Super Foods!

I read a very good book recently that outlined certain foods that are super-good for us based on their overall nutritional impact and health benefits. Here are a few I thought worth pointing out:

BLUEBERRIES
RED RASPBERRIES
PUMPKIN
SWEET POTATOES
TURKEY
WILD ALASKAN SALMON
BROCCOLI
SPINACH, KALE, SWISS CHARD and TURNIP GREENS
BEANS SUCH AS BLACK, PINTO, KIDNEY and LENTILS

The health benefits are just too numerous to recount ranging from invaluable phytonutrients, trace minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. It is worth noting that many of these foods have been shown in numerous studies to have many anti-cancer properties as well as protecting against many common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

When purchasing these items the best choice is to purchase them fresh and organic. For canned items like pumpkin puree which is great for many tasty dishes, it is important to seek out organically canned goods and to read the label and avoid those that contain regular salt (sea salt is good) citric acid or other unnecessary additives.

Beans are extremely economical if you purchase them raw and in bulk and simply soak them and cook them fresh. I will provide further details on how long to soak and cook various beans in tomorrow's post.

A couple of points regarding turkey and salmon.

Like all meats seek out grain-fed turkey that is free of pesticides and growth hormones. Turkey is the leanest of all meats and has numerous health benefits. If you're vegetarian it is advisable to make sure you are getting enough vitamin B12 because it is NOT readily available or absorbed from plant or soy protein sources and it is a crucial nutrient.

Salmon provides a specific vital omega 3 oil not readily available from other sources. Flax seed and other nuts and seeds do contain omega 3 oils but not the same kind as that found in salmon. Buy salmon that is not previously frozen and that is not farm raised to be sure it is free of pesticides and growth hormones. Alaskan salmon that is wild-caught is the best because it is a migratory fish which minimizes the mercury-infestation versus other types of fish and is very high in omega 3 oils. A side note is that by comparison, king salmon has much higher mercury concentrations and the jury is out on whether or not the Atlantic farm-raised salmon you can buy is truly free of pesticides and other harmful substances unless it is very clearly stated and factual.

As always, FRESH IS BEST!