Foods I eat everyday
Sometimes better health doesn’t mean taking away anything, instead it’s understanding your everyday choices.
Improving your diet can seem like a lofty goal, especially if you think it requires rigid self-denial and sacrifice. One that often means you get overwhelmed even before you start. The truth is, eating healthy doesn’t have to be a nerve racking activity. Not when you are solely responsible for figuring out what you should eat everyday for the rest of your adult life!
My ideal is understanding what is going into your body, why and ultimately optimizing your choices for better health.
Here are 6 anti-inflammatory and anti-bloating foods I eat every single day.
- Garlic
An excellent source of vitamin B6 and a rich source of manganese and selenium. It helps prevent risk of heart disease by stimulating the synthesis of nitric oxide. This helps dilate and relax the blood vessels supporting healthy blood flow and pressure.
It also prevents platelets from binding to proteins, which reduces blood clots.
Easy to incorporate into any and every dish.
2. Turmeric
From teas to immunity shots to curries, turmeric is a diverse root that can be used to prepare both meals and drinks. It contains curcumin, a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that helps prevent chronic inflammation and soothe an upset stomach.
If you are experiencing any digestive issues, adding turmeric drinks to your diet helps to alleviate the discomfort.
3. Papaya
Probably the only fruit in the world that gets such a bad rapport but papaya is really that guy!
It contains papain, a protein-digesting enzyme, that helps reduce bloating. It’s also important for any morning routine as it kickstarts the gut and supports it to eliminate toxins and begin digestion.
4. Tomatoes
Just incase you didn’t know, tomatoes are one of the most nutritionally dense fruits on the planet. They contain lycopene which reduces and suppresses inflammation, reduces cholesterol and improves immune function.
Lycopene is the pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their brilliant red, orange, and yellow color. It is a powerful antioxidant that eliminates dangerous free radicals within the body that can damage DNA and other fragile cell structures.
Eating tomatoes helps you lower your risk of stroke. Remember it’s not too early to take preventative measures!
5. Ginger
Contains gingerols and shogaols which help in stomach contractions and excretion. Your stomach’s purpose is to mix and break down the food that you consume. If food isn’t broken down properly in your mouth or stomach, it is harder to absorb the nutrients in the intestines. Ginger is also beneficial for aiding in nausea and equalizing acid reflux.
6. Berries
Berries are linked with better heart health. They are rich in nutrients that keep your arteries clear and your heartbeat stable. Berries contain polyphenols which help protect the heart by neutralizing oxidized LDL (Cholesterol), which forms plaque inside the arteries.
Healthy doesn’t mean expensive alternatives, it simply means focusing on everyday ingredients, understanding their nutritional value and maximizing on that knowledge to actively improve your overall health.