Must we always choose between healthy and tasty? Certainly not, as we can have both if we know what to look for and how to fix it. Some of the simplest dishes have some of the most succulent flavors and still deliver that vitamin power punch that your body deserves. Fruits are your secret weapon when it comes to sweet juicy flavors coupled with vitamins and powerful antioxidants, whereas chips and chocolates are high in fat, calories, and have numerous food additives which are unhealthy for you (learn more about the dangers of processed foods here). Let’s take this time to examine a few great choices in the fruits that are excellent junk food substitutes.
Acai Berries
These little tart berries have a reputation for explosive power as super fruits are concerned. They’re rich in antioxidants which help with cancer and many other major diseases. These berries are from Brazil and are usually hard to find fresh. You can buy these in a powder form and use the powder in drinks and milk shakes thus giving you all the nutrients as a nice treat.
Apples
One of the oldest sayings in the English language (an apple a day will keep the doctor away) may be truer that we first thought. Studies have proven the apple to be a super fruit. Not only does the apple give a great amount of fiber to our diet but also has quercetin within its skin. This nutrient is an antioxidant with the ability to help reduce inflammation and act as an antihistamine. Studies have also shown that people who eat at least 5 apples a week have better lung function than those who don’t. Do not remove the skin of your cooked apples and make apple slices a big part of every salad.
Bananas
Another basic fruit, the banana has excellent properties for your health and is easy to transport for lunch or break time during your busy day. Bananas are stuffed with potassium which can lower your blood pressure while providing resistant starch that helps boost your metabolism leading to natural weight loss. Bananas can be peeled and eaten like they are but are also delicious with peanut butter on toasted whole wheat bread.
Blackberries
Tasty yet powerful little berries rich in polyphenols which is the same nutrient found in green tea. These berries are great for preventing many cancers and even osteoporosis. They also can reduce your risk of heart disease. One cup of these berries can equal 1/3 of your daily fiber intake and taste great over pancakes or waffles in place of sugary syrup. Blackberries make excellent treats however you should avoid heavily sugared or processed berries. Mix things up by filling a bowl with blackberries and pour a skim of milk over top of them.
Blueberries
If you should have trouble remembering some of the great fruits then maybe the blueberry should be your starting point. High Flavonoid content has been proven to help brain function and memory. Furthermore they are known to push back cognitive ageing by as much as 2 years. Blue berries are great in salads and are also a good breakfast treat in cereals instead of sugar.
Cantaloupe
Do you wish to look younger or maybe slow the aging process? Looking younger has health benefits all on its own. When you look younger you feel younger and usually are more active. People who are more active tend to live a better quality of life. That being said the cantaloupe has loads of vitamin A and its derivatives which aid in new cell production giving you a more youthful look and feel. Cantaloupe is certainly delicious when it’s cut into slices and slightly chilled, however there are recipes for cantaloupe like watermelon and cantaloupe salad with mint. Delicious and healthy all in one package!
Cherries
Everyone downs a cherry from time to time. From cherry pies to the occasional mixed drink cherries are everywhere. It just so happens that these wonderful little fruits, that tickle our taste buds, are a great superfood. Cherries owe their red color to anthocyanin, an antioxidant than reduces inflammation by as much as 50%. They also have the power to lower the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Do you dream of a super slim midsection? People who eat cherries tend to gain less weight than those who don’t. Cherries can be combined with many ham dishes and even cooked with kabobs.
Lemons
Lemons have to one of the most widely used fruits on the market. Everything from cooking to drinking lemons are everywhere. That’s a good thing for us and the truth is we could all use more citrus fruits in our diet. Not only do you get the fiber your body needs but also a mass injection of vitamin C. Vitamin C and other disease fighting chemicals in lemons can fight sun damage, reduce age spots, and help regulate oil glands in the body. We all know Vitamin C helps fight off colds but now you have even more reasons to enjoy these lovely fruits.
Cranberries
Men and women both can benefit from cranberries as they will fight off cancer cells and raise HDL cholesterol, however the benefits for ladies stand out with the tart treat. The first thing is, a urinary tract infection can be fought off and cleared up with this great fruit but even more, studies have shown that ovarian cancer medicines can be boosted by eating these fruits. Cranberry juice that has not been sweetened may be a little tart but the benefits are fantastic and you forgo all of the risk associated with artificial sweeteners (learn the dangers of artificial sweeteners here).
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is an Asian fruit with a bright colorful skin and a white or red soft inside. The flavor is very mild and can be eaten with a spoon right out of the bowl shaped halves. This fruit lowers LDL while at the same time raises HDL. You may have to go to an Asian market for this great fruit but it is well worth the extra effort. One of the best added benefits of Dragon Fruit is it contains a lot of water which hydrates you as you eat it.
Giving your body the things it needs to be healthy means giving yourself a longer, happier, and more self-sufficient life. You can combine all of these wonderful fruits into a morning fruit dish which replaces carb rich breads and sodium filled eggs. It’s a known fact that the natural sugar found in fruits can give you a healthy boost of energy when you need it most before work. One way to satisfy your sweet tooth is by taking low fat Greek yoghurt and adding a mixture of these fruits to it, blend it together, chill it, and enjoy it as a healthy alternative to most desserts.
Once you take the time to discover the great things around you it is easy to see that healthy foods can be tasty too. When you make fruit punch yourself you can rest assure that it does not contain any harmful additives (learn more about harmful food additives here) that take away from the sole point of eating healthy to begin with. Eat for your health but don’t give up on great flavors by incorporating fruit into your diet!
The post Junk Food Substitutes appeared first on Exodus International.