AntiCancer Foods Part 7 – Pomegranates

anticancer foods,anti-cancer foods,why eat healthyJulie’s Comments:  Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and eating them or drinking the juice has multiple health benefits.  How do you include them in your diet?  The seeds are delicious sprinkled on salads or stirred into yogurt, and the juice is really refreshing.

The juicy red kernels of a pomegranate are a favorite with both the young and old alike. Apart from its richness and delicious taste, pomegranate juice has also become popular for its health benefits. And this only continues to increase with more and more people becoming aware of a healthy diet and lifestyle. This fruit contains many different nutrients which are absolutely essential for health and fitness. Hence drinking a glass of this juice daily can boost your health in more ways than one.

There are many scientific studies that have shown that this fruit contains certain compounds that can help fight breast cancer. The studies revealed that the compounds attack malignant cells and destroy these while keeping the healthy cells intact. There are also other scientific studies being conducted across the globe with regard to the benefits of this juice in fighting liver cancer and prostate cancer. Both the group of studies conducted in mice has shown that pomegranate contains compounds which can fight or slow down the cancerous cells and boost the growth of the healthy ones.

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Create a Healthy Kid’s Lunch Box

Julie’s Comments: Here are some great tips for helping your kids eat healthy and develop good eating habits that will benefit them all their lives.  Please share your views by leaving a Comment below.

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Healthy School Lunches: Is Your Child Eating a Balanced Diet?

Julie’s Comments:  With childhood obesity at nearly epidemic levels, healthy eating for our kids is more important than ever.  Here are some great tips on how to help our children develop healthy eating habits.

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Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Julie’s Comments:  It’s hard to keep coming up with ideas for the kids’ lunch (or even  for your own lunch).  Check these out!  If you use turkey or other meat for sandwiches I suggest a nitrite/nitrate free brand like Hormel Natural Choice.  That’s the brand I found in my grocery store, but there must be other nitrite-free brands.  You can check the Ingredients Label on the package to see if the product contains nitrites or nitrates, which are linked to increased cancer risk.  I hope these ideas are helpful to you!

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Healthy Breakfast For $1

Julie’s Comments:  Need breakfast ideas?  Here are some good ones!

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Update – Dangers of Processed Meats

anticancer foods,osteoporosis,why eat healthy,why is healthy eating important,healthy eating guide

On Sept. 28 I posted an article about cancer- causing nitrites and nitrates found in the processed meats that are such a big part of the American diet.  I committed to  tracking down nitrite/nitrate free brands and I’m looking for more!  The ones I’ve found so far are:

  • Applegate Naturals hickory smoked bacon.
  • Aidells brand has several sausage varieties including andouille, Italian and chicken with apple.  I recently used Aidells andouille in a batch of Red Beans and Rice and it was delicious!
  • Jones Dairy Farm All Natural breakfast sausage.  My favorite is the low-fat turkey sausage.
  • Hormel Natural Choice cold cuts (ham, turkey, roast beef).

    I found these in my local grocery store (Publix).  I’ve tried all these brands and found them to be delicious.  They’re also phosphate free.  Phosphates are linked to decreasing bone density, which affects so many women as we age.  Men can also develop osteoporosis, so phosphates are a good thing to avoid.  You can tell if a product contains nitrites, nitrates or phosphates because they’ll be listed on the Ingredients Label on the product package.

    Please help me find more nitrite/nitrate-free brands, and share them by leaving a Comment below!  Thanks!

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    Why Eat Healthy? Part 4 – “Live Long and Prosper”

    longevity and healthy eating,why eat healthyIt’s official…a recent study from the CDC says healthy lifestyle pays off with increased longevity!  As reported in the American Journal of Public Health in September 2011, the study covered an 18 year period, looked at over 16,000 people and included 4 healthy behaviors.  These were healthy eating, exercising, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not smoking.  People who practiced these behaviors were 63% less likely to die than people who didn’t practice any of them.

    While these results may not be surprising, I think we sometimes lose sight of how lifestyle habits can affect our health over the long term.  The state of our health has a big impact on our quality of life.  Take good care of yourself!  You’re worth it!

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    Why Eat Healthy? Part 3 – Alcohol Pros and Cons

    alcohol and health,why eat healthy,why is healthy eating important,healthy food guideThis month the Harvard Heart Letter reported the results of a study on the effects of drinking alcohol on our health.  The study was a big one, followed over 2 million men and women for an average of 11 years, and compared moderate alcohol use to no alcohol use.  Moderate alcohol consumption did reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and heart disease, but it increased stroke risk somewhat.  One drink per day was the amount that produced the least risk for any cause of death in the study.  At 4 drinks per day stroke risk was a whopping 62% higher than with no alcohol consumption.  Clearly the amount of alcohol consumed is key.  Once it becomes excessive any beneficial effects are far outweighed by substantially increased risk of stroke, liver disease, a variety of cancers and other health problems.  As the Harvard article points out, alcohol is a double-edged sword. Please share your views by leaving a Comment below.

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    AntiCancer Foods Part 6 – Tomatoes

    anticancer foods,anti-cancer foods,lycopene benefits,why eat healthy, why is healthy eating important,healthy eating guideTomatoes are one of the best sources of lycopeneDr. Mehmet Oz writes that lycopene prevents cancer cells from growing and dividing.

    I like tomatoes raw or cooked, and my favorites are the fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes that we grow in the summer…tomato sandwiches, anyone?  Tomatoes are most beneficial when eaten cooked, however.  I use them most often in pasta sauce and homemade chili.  Click here for an easy chili recipe, make extra and freeze it to have convenient meals ready when you don’t have time to cook (or just don’t feel like it!).  Another great way to eat cooked tomatoes is by making a simple tomato sauce for pasta… an easy recipe follows.

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    AntiCancer Foods Part 5 – Blueberries

    anti-cancer foods,anticancer foods,why eat healthyBlueberries are a great source of antioxidants, nutrients that are so important for our health. Blueberries also contain a substance called ellagic acid, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz. Ellagic acid helps prevent carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals) from damaging our cells’ DNA. Damaged DNA can cause healthy cells to develop into cancer cells.

    Fresh blueberries aren’t available year-round where I live, so I usually buy them frozen.  Get the unsweetened ones – the only item listed on the package Ingredients Label should be blueberries.  I put the amount I’ll use over 3-4 days in a container in the refrigerator so that they’re thawed when I’m ready to use them.  I add them to my morning oatmeal.  They’re also good stirred into plain, low fat yogurt.  If you’re indulging, throw some on your ice cream or frozen yogurt!  Please share your favorite ways to eat blueberries by leaving a Comment below.

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