HEALTHY FOOD YOU DON’T USUALLY THINK OF
Agave-Derived from the same plant used to make tequila, agave
syrup has generated lots of buzz recently. Also known as agave nectar,
it has a deep, rich flavor that is slightly sweeter than honey. It's touted for
its low glycemic index (GI) value, meaning it won't spike your blood sugar like
high-GI table sugar. Plus, you can use about one-third less to achieve the same
level of sweetness.
Artisan Multigrain Breads-It used to be that you had to seek out a local baker to get
high-quality artisan breads. Now, chances are your local market is baking up
specialty breads right in the store. Look for breads made with heart-healthy
oats, whole-wheat flour, barley, millet
Brussels Sprouts-Once considered cabbage's "smelly" cousin, the
Brussels sprout is gaining in popularity. The veggie is packed with 130% of
your daily value of free-radical-fighting vitamin C per 1-cup serving (proof
there was a reason your mother tortured you so many years
Farro-With the growing focus on whole grains, ancient grains like
farro are gaining a following. Farro is a type of wheat traditionally used in
Italy, with a satisfying chewy texture and nutty flavor. This whole grain can
be used in salads, soups or side dishes.
Flaxmeal-The health community is buzzing about omega-3 fatty acids.
Flaxseed and flaxmeal (ground from flaxseed) are rich in alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), a plant-based omega-3. ALA may help to lower inflammation and increase
blood flow in the body, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and blood
clots. Try sprinkling flaxmeal on your morning cereal or adding it to a smoothie
Gluten-Free Baking Mixes-Gluten-free products are everywhere now with the growing
awareness of celiac disease, gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity. Eating
gluten-free used to mean kissing your love of delicious bread and baked goods
goodbye, but no longer: now you can have your (gluten-free) cake and eat it,
too, when you use one of the great gluten-free mixes available today.
Greek Yogurt-Thicker and more tangy than traditional yogurt, Greek-style
yogurt has become an everyday staple for many cooks. A 6-ounce serving of
nonfat Greek yogurt has 15 g of protein, 5 g more than traditional nonfat plain
yogurt. (However, if it is calcium you are after, stick with traditional yogurt
that hasn't had the whey drained from it-it has 34 percent of your daily value
per 6-ounce serving, three times more than Greek yogurt.) Creamy and delicious,
Greek yogurt makes a homemade tzatziki sauce or healthy dessert quick and easy.
Heirloom Tomatoes-Old varieties of tomatoes are making a comeback. Varieties
like Gold Nugget, Aunt Ginny's Purple, Big Ben and Red Zebraare now showing up
in your neighborhood market. Like all tomatoes, they are an excellent source of
vision and bone-healthy vitamin A.
Israeli Couscous-Round semolina pasta, bigger than regular couscous, Israeli
couscous is great in soups, salads or pilafs. The small spheres are toasted,
not dried, so they have a textured nutty bite. Choose whole-wheat to get extra
heart-healthy whole grains.
Kombucha-Kombucha is a fermented tea with a fizzy "zip,"
offered in flavors from mango to cayenne-watermelon. Newly available in
supermarkets, it has probiotics and more antioxidants than other teas. Enjoy
the beverage by itself or in a smoothie.
Multigrain Tortillas-When it comes to tortillas, there are more options for
shoppers than ever before. Forget basic flour-now you can find whole-grain tortillas
with added heart-healthy flaxseed or B vitamins. You'll get more fiber when you
choose whole-wheat or whole-grain over white-flour tortillas.
Nut Butters-Peanut butter may be the first thing that comes to mind
when you hear "nut butter," but today there are many varieties found
right next to that old standby. And they have different nutrition profiles: 2
tablespoons of almond butter provides 75 percent of your daily value of vitamin
E, which may help fight damage-causing free radicals. Cashew, walnut and
hazelnut butters add exotic flavors to your next snack and are packed with 5 g
of protein per 2-tablespoon serving.
Spice Blends-With home cooks' growing interest in global cuisine, exotic
spice blends are becoming commonplace in the spice aisle of local markets. Look
and you may find berbere (an earthy, aromatic Ethiopian blend) next to the bay
leaves and ras el hanout (a robust Moroccan spice blend) next to paprika. These
spice blends make it easier than ever to create exotic, flavorful meals in your
own kitchen.
Steel-Cut Oats-Here is an example of "what is old is new again."
Steel-cut oats (sometimes called Irish oatmeal) are whole-grain oats that have
been cut into little pieces rather than rolled.This hot breakfast cereal is
less-processed than other types of oatmeal and has a nutty crunch. Like all
oatmeal, it's high in soluble fiber, which may help to lower "bad"
LDL cholesterol, and has a healthy amount of protein, both of which will help
you feel satisfied.
These are just a fraction of foods
that will make you feel and function better through out your day. If you have any questions about any of these
let me know.
DAVID KNAPP NCSF-MCPT,CNS
Princetonbootcamps@yahoo.com
