Super Hero Foods

As autumn begins I’m offering a repost to remind us of super sources of nutrition.

There are foods and then there are Super Hero Foods. As you might have guessed, we want as many of the Super Heroes in our diet as possible.

Nuts about nuts

Do you avoid eating nuts because they’re so high in calories? Well avoid no longer. Nuts supply us with very healthy unsaturated fats, which help lower our cholesterol. They’re also good sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals. True, their calorie count is high, which is why we recommend enjoying a quarter-cup serving of nuts no more than once per day. You can also try whole nut and fruit bars such as the Larabar brand.

Fishing for good health

While we’re on the topic of healthy fats, let’s talk about salmon. What we love about salmon is the omega-3 fatty acids we get from it. Yes, that’s fat, but a very healthy fat. The American diet tends to be high in omega-6 fatty acids and low in omega-3. This imbalance contributes to chronic inflammation conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and so on. Enjoying more omega-3 fatty acids swings the balance back to our favor. Whenever possible, choose wild salmon as it contains more omega-3s and fewer chemicals than farmed. Get started with some Asian Glazed Salmon tonight.

Eat your broccoli (and cauliflower and cabbage and Brussels sprouts)

Mom was right: broccoli is incredibly good for you. So are its relatives in the the cruciferous family: cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. These veggies are great cancer preventers. So far, it seems that it isn’t any one specific compound in the vegetables, so this is a great example of how nature created a perfect little package of health for us to enjoy. Cooking these vegetables can release a sulfur-like smell. Before you turn up your nose, try roasting any of them, including the cabbage. Roasting enhances the vegetables’ natural sugars and mellows the flavor. Or try a quick & easy Cream of Broccoli Soup (surprise: there’s no cream!)

Lisa Corrado of Lisa Corrado Nutrition is a stellar chef and nutritionist. She is on a mission to help busy people eat healthier. Lisa offers nutritional counseling and coaching to help you cook and plan better meals. Check out her blog, A Moment in a Busy Life, which takes you on a healthy journey through good food and great choices.