Mental Health

7 Foods For a Healthier Mind and Body

By Staff Reporter | Update Date: Aug 23, 2012 01:58 PM EDT

If you're struggling in your battle with the bulge then your human. Congratulations. For those of us, who could never or have trouble with the whole the diet thing, here are some "super foods" that you can add to (or use as substitutes for) your daily meals to help you get started.

Celery

Celery is probably the best vegetable to help you lose weight. Not only does it regulate your digestive system, but celery has the super added effect of being a workout in itself. While an 8-inch stalk of celery contains approximately 6 calories, it takes the body double the amount of calories to digest it. Celery is rich in fiber, potassium and also contains compounds called phthalides, which can relax muscle tissue in artery walls and increase blood flow, thereby helping to lower blood pressure.

Salmon

This one is tricky because, while salmon is good for you, wild salmon is the best and, unfortunately, very expensive. Wild salmon contains 950 mg of omega-3s, high concentrations of protein and iron, with few contaminants. The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings per week to get the benefits, while a study by Public Health Nutrition found that women who ate at least two to four servings per week had lower basal metabolic indexes (BMI's). Salmon contains 200 calories per three-ounce serving.

Coffee

Coffee has many properties that can help you live longer and healthier. A study published on May 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of death from heart disease, stroke and even infections; previous studies have shown that coffee can reduce the risk of several diseases of aging, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, Type II diabetes, and breast cancer. It can also be known to prevent Alzheimer's as well.

Greek Yogurt

If you are on a diet, dairy is your frenemy. While calcium does help your body burn calories faster, the fat in dairy cancels out most of its hard work. The alternative is Greek yogurt, which contains less sugar than regular yogurt. It has active bacterial cultures that support digestive and immune system regularity. As for something to put in your cereal or coffee, 1 percent milk, skim milk and soy are all great alternatives. 

Berries

If your sweet tooth is calling, it is best to sink it into one (or a whole bunch) of these. Not only are they high in antioxidants (specifically blueberries and Acai) but are high in fiber and low in calories. Add this to any meal for a sumptuous, healthy and filling plate.

Cucumbers

Filling and delicious, these vegetables (fruits?) are packed with H20, vitamin K (which helps keep bones strong), vitamin C, potassium, and a compound called silica, which helps build and maintain connective tissue, like muscle, tendons, ligaments and bone.

Apples

An apple a day can keep both your doctor and the pounds at bay. Research shows that the skin of the apple can stimulate your metabolism to keep you burning fat even while sitting at your desk.

Peppers

Hot or sweet, peppers are full of nutrients. While capsaicin in hot peppers make you sweat and burn calories by just ingesting them,  red peppers, according to the News Tribune delivers 250 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, 75 percent of your daily vitamin A needs, and 10 percent of your fiber goals.

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