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If you're thinking about what you should snack on right now or what you should think about making for dinner tonight, consider adding some "superfoods" to your daily diet. Superfoods help lower cholesterol, reduce risk of heart disease and cancer and can even elevate your mood. Here are a few suggestions that might already be under your nose (or in your refrigerator).
You don't need to go much farther than spinach. Low in calories and high in nutrients, research has shown that spinach aids in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, some cancers and cardiovascular disease. (But Popeye knew all that a long time ago.)
* Go nuts for nuts. They are an excellent source of protein, fiber and vitamin E. Walnuts are the only nuts that contain a significant amount of omega-3s, and they are known for their antioxidant properties as well. Eat them unroasted and without salt.
* Wipe the last bit of snow (hopefully) off the Weber and start grilling some salmon. The protein-rich fish is full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve heart health. Choose wild over farmed salmon, which usually contains artificial color and has been shown to contain elevated levels of contaminants.
* About 10 years ago, the FDA approved labels highlighting the association between a diet high in oat fiber and the reduction of cholesterol. Fiber in oats has been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. With every one percent reduction in LDL cholesterol, heart-disease risk is lowered one to three percent. Oats also contain plant chemicals that have antioxidant properties.
Read more about superfoods here.
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