Saturday, October 18, 2008

Super Foods for Each Stage of Aging!

20's: The beat-Stress Decade
  • The Problem: No Time to Eat Right
  • The Fix: Micowave-friendly meals that have the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and veggies in one package. *Look for these 3 qualifications: <450>
  • The Problem: Sports Injuries
  • The Fix: Beef. Perfect muscle food due to high levels of protein and creatine.
  • The Problem: The Bone-building clock is Ticking
  • The Fix: Drinking two 8 oz. glasses of Vit-D fortified low-fat milk every day. 581 mg. of calcium and 5 micrograms of Vit-D which is the perfect nutriet combo to develop break-resistant bones. Broccoli is also good becuase it contains 43 mg. of calcium along with magnesium, Vit-K, and phosphorus.
  • The Problem: Undetacted Depression
  • The Fix: Flaxseed. Eating a tbsp. of provides a great source of alpha-linolenic (ALA) fatty acid that improves the operation of the cerebra cortex, which processes sensory info and pleasure signals.

30's: The Melt-Fat Decade

  • The Problem: Corroding Joints
  • The Fix: Cold-water fish. Eat three 6 oz. servings per week. Top picks are salmon, mackerel, trout, halibut, and white tuna - each serving provides >1,000 mg. of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. Eating these healty fish oils reduces the cartilafe-eating enzymes and slows down cartilage degeneration.
  • The Problem: Cracks in the Facade
  • The Fix: Beans. Rich in antioxidants that help the body deal with free radicals, skin-damaging molecules caused by sun exposure and pollution. Good sources include hummus, beans added to rice and pasta dishes, and canned beans as side dishes. Mix them up with asparagus, broccoli, celery, eggplant, onion, and spinach, all of which contain the same antioidants.
  • The Problem: Yaaaaawn!
  • The Fix: Nuts! Peanuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts are packed with Vit-E, an antioxidant that bolsters the immune system. They also contain many B vitamins which prep your body for physical ramifications of stess like high blood pressure and off-kilter hormones. Another plus for nuts, arginine, this amino acid improves blood flow-to help you get from dead tired to orgasmic. Just a handful per day and your on your way!
  • The Problem: A Pokey Metabolism
  • The Fix: Low-sugar, high-protein snacks. They keep your metabolic furnace stoked and leave you less likley to binge. Cheese, a 1.5 oz. serving, has up to 11 g. of protein and almost no sugar.

40's and on: The Fight-Disease Decades

  • The Problem: Shrinking Muscles
  • The Fix: Tuna. Oz. for oz. it is one of the best sources of protein.
  • The Prolem: Brain Freeze
  • The Fix: Smoothies! Berries and cherreis are rich in anthocyanins which have been linked to better memory. Try this: 1/2 c. skim milk, 1 c. blueberries, 1 c. cherry juice, 1 handful crushed ice. Blend togther until smooth.
  • The Problem: Cancer-Prone Skin
  • The Fix: Carotenoids = pigments that occur naturally in plants, reduce the risk of skin cancer. Beta-carotene is an internal sun protector. Eat 2 sweet potatoes every week, as they will give you plenty of beta-carotene. Other sources include carrots and cantaloupe. The Problem: Weakening Vision
  • The Fix: Kale, collard greens, spinach, and turnip greens all contain lutein and zeaxanthin that help protect your eyes from the UV rays that can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Try to get about 6 mg. of each daily and 1 c. of chopped kale has 26.5 mg.
  • The Problem: Narrowing Arteries
  • The Fix: Grapes. The skin on red grapes has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and lower the risk of clogged arteries. Red wine has these benefits as well!

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