Super Foods and Antioxidants
One of the best ways to keep your immune system strong is to shop your supermarket’s produce aisle.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients called antioxidants that are good for your immune system — and the rest of you.
What to Eat
Add more fruit and vegetables of any kind to your diet. It’ll help your health. Some foods are higher in antioxidants than others, though.
The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You’ll find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, especially those with purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow hues.
Beta-carotene and other carotenoids: Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, mangoes, turnip and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon
Vitamin C: Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kale, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green, or yellow peppers, snow peas, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes
Vitamin E: Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seed
These foods are also rich in antioxidants:
Prunes Plums
Apples Red Grapes
Raisins Red grapes
Alfalfa sprouts Onions
All berries Eggplant
Beans
Other antioxidants that can help keep you healthy include:
- Zinc: Found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products
- Selenium: Found in Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, poultry, fortified breads, and other grain products
Cooking tip: To get the biggest benefits of antioxidants, eat these foods raw or lightly steamed. Don’t overcook or boil them.
Get what you can first from your diet; I believe supplements like Macro Greens and Miracles Reds are a great way to make sure you are covering all your bases. They are very reasonably priced and all natural. I have label information and pricing available to send if you would like more information.
Toni@betabfit.com
