Facts

- May 9, 2008

Ten Foods Your Body Needs

There 10 fruits, vegetables and plants that should be a part of your diet…are they in your diet? Let’s see:

  1. Pumpkin seeds : Did you know that just 1oz of pumpkin seeds contain 150mg of magnesium. They are also high in zinc and phytosterols, shown to lower cholesterol and defend against cancer.
  2. Cabbage : These leafy, green vegetables contain a healthy supply of nutrients. One of the nutrients include sulforaphane, a chemical which increase your body’s production of enzymes. These enzymes combat cell-damaging free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer.
  3. Dried plums : These little beauties are infamous for their high fiber content. However, they also include high amounts of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids which fight against structural damage to cells, one of the primary causes of cancer.
  4. Gogi berries : These berries resemble raisins, yet they taste sweet and sour and are red in color. Including these in your diet will help protect the liver, improve sexual function and increase circulation. They are very high in antioxidants that help prevent the aging process of our cells.
  5. Beets : These roots are known for their dark red coloring and are surprisingly sweet for a vegetable. They are the best source for folate and betaine, which help to lower your blood levels of homocysteine. What exactly is homocysteine?? Well homocysteine can damage arteries and increase the risk of heart disease…so eat your beets!!
  6. Cinnamon : This is a common spice that many think are just used for cookies or cakes, but don’t overlook a pinch or two in your coffee or on your oatmeal. Cinnamon can lower your blood sugar and lower triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
  7. Guava : This slightly pear-shaped fruit is known for its sweet, acidic flavor and its yellow or pink in color. It contains cancer-fighting agents such as lycopene. Lycopene is known for warding off prostate cancer. It also contains 688 mg of potassium and 9 grams of fiber, which is important in everyone’s diet.
  8. Swiss chard : This is a slightly bitter and salty vegetable. This particular vegetable contains huge amounts of lutein andzeaxanthin, plant chemicals known as carotenoids. These protect the retinas from age-related damage.
  9. Purslane : This is a broad-leaved weed. It has the highest amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant. It also contains 10 to 20 times more melatonin than any other fruit or vegetable.
  10. Pomegranate juice : This juice has been consumed for decades in the Middle East as a popular juice beverage. Just 4oz of this juice a day provides 50% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

  1. 28 Responses to “Ten Foods Your Body Needs”

  2. I am all set on the cabbage, cinnamon and beets. The others, well some of them I have not even heard of! good to know!

    By Janel on May 11, 2008

  3. Thank you for posting this list. What are Gogi Berries?

    Cute pink flower!

    By Shannon on May 12, 2008

  4. Participating in the Chrysanthemom’s Scavenger hunt! I found the image on this posting!

    Cabbage, beets and cinnamon are regularly in our diet! I like your blog and love the layout!

    By Kristinia on May 12, 2008

  5. Participating in Chry’s scavenger hunt.
    I need to eat more fruit.

    By Tricia on May 12, 2008

  6. Scavenger hunt - found it.

    I’m doing miserably at this list.

    By Kaye on May 12, 2008

  7. Found the image - this is a great way to check out all the blogs!! Come visit me at http://mommymeryl.blogspotcom

    By Meryl Rose on May 12, 2008

  8. Just leaving a comment for the scavenger hunt!!! What an interesting blog… I am a chocolate fanatic and it’s safe to say I’m addicted! LOL!

    By Joy on May 12, 2008

  9. First, I love the name of your blog and all the advice you’re imparting. I just may have to add you to my blogroll, m’dear. :)
    Second, found the image in Crystal’s MommyFest scavenger hunt. :)
    Rock on!

    By Erika on May 12, 2008

  10. What a great list. I like actual pomegranate’s. The juice is a bit too much for me. LOL

    Oh and I’m here for the scavenger hunt. Found the graphic. Thanks

    By Angie on May 12, 2008

  11. Great list of foods! I’m here for the Chrysanthemom’s Scavenger hunt. Very informative blog!

    By Ginny on May 12, 2008

  12. I am completely unfamiliar with gogi berries. Where you find them?

    By killlashandra on May 12, 2008

  13. Whoo-hoo! Found the image for the scavenger hunt! Now I just need to find 4 more…

    Please come visit me at my blog. It can be found at http://weblog.heatherquarnstrom.com.

    Have a great day!
    ~ Heather

    By Heather Quarnstrom on May 12, 2008

  14. found the image for the hunt!
    Wow thanks for those amazing food tips!

    By Robin on May 12, 2008

  15. What a great list of good foods! I need to eat more healthy thats for sure!

    I am participating in the scavenger hunt too! :)

    By Crista on May 12, 2008

  16. I keep reading about the benefits of cinnamon. Good thing I love it so much.

    Found the image for the scavenger hunt in this post!
    Thank you!
    Megret
    meg.wilson@gmail.com

    By Megret on May 13, 2008

  17. 5 out of 10 is probably not great odds. I will try to add the others to my list of things to eat. Very informative.

    I’m here for the scavenger hunt.

    By dhayes on May 13, 2008

  18. Hmm. I was hoping to see chocolate on that list! I’m here for the scavenger hunt :)

    By Marin on May 13, 2008

  19. YIKES is all I can say! I’m lacking in each and every one of these being in my diet. About the only thing I get from time to time would be cabbage & that’s in small portions coming from a bag of ready made salad. Guess I have some work to do to start implementing these items in my diet! Thanks for sharing this list.

    By Tishia Lee on May 13, 2008

  20. I love the theme of your blog. I love chocolate, but I have been avoiding it due to health issues. Maybe there is hope!

    P.S, I found the flower.

    By Julie on May 13, 2008

  21. Great article! Seems like I need to eat a lot more of all mentioned above!!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Found the flower :)

    By bunny on May 13, 2008

  22. I did know about most of these. I didn’t however, know about Purslane! I am making a sincere effort to add more omega 3 to my diet, and beside omega 3’s derived from fish oils, I’ve added plant sources such as flax oil. Flax oil with a squirt of lemon and a touch of crushed garlic is delicious on a salad! Great article!

    BTW, found your scavanger hunt graphic on this post.

    By Karen on May 13, 2008

  23. I FOUND THE GRAPHIC!!! lol

    By Gina on May 13, 2008

  24. Hi there - am here for the scavenger hunt :)

    By Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You on May 14, 2008

  25. LOVE Chocolate! I’m enjoying this Scavenger Hunt! I see you are #5! Say, my sister-in-law and I keep a chocolate blog, too. Come and visit:

    thechocolistas.blogspot.com

    By Deborah on May 14, 2008

  26. Hmmm … the only thing that I really eat or have tried are cabbages, pumpkin seeds, guava and of course cinnamon - I guess, I’ll have to incorporate the others into my regular diet. Thanks for sharing! Oh, and I am here for the Scavenger hunt.

    By Mom Soap Box on May 15, 2008

  27. Chrysanthemom’s Scavenger hunt

    By dolls123 on May 16, 2008

  28. I’ve always wanted to try gogi berries.

    Also, so many scavenger hunts?

    By Le Coeur on Nov 2, 2008

  29. You should note that cinnamon comes in two varieties, and the one most common in the US (cassia) is very slightly toxic. If you have a spice store in your area, go get some Ceylon cinnamon and grind it up as it contains lower levels of the potentially toxic compounds.

    By Ryan on Nov 4, 2008

Post a Comment

© 2008 - Dr. Mommy Health Tips - Powered by WordPress. Design by WPThemeDesigner.com.