The 10 Best Foods For Women
Though everyone would probably benefit from following a healthy diet plan, nutritional requirements do tend to vary by age and gender.Women have specific requirements, and many women are more stressed out about their nutrition needsthese days. Fortunately, the experts at eDiets have compiled a list of 10 of the foods most important to women’s nutrition.
10. Bean There, Done That . . . Beans are good for the heart. They are nutritious, low in fat and inexpensive. In fact, one half-cup serving of beans contains over 5 grams of fiber, which is one quarter of the recommended daily allowance.
9. Kale to the Chief. . . In case you didn’t know, kale is a cabbage family member. It’s a great source of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)actually recommend that women eat 400 micrograms of folate every day. A folate deficiency during pregnancy can cause neural-tube defects in babies.
8. Beta Vision. . . Though the name is derived from the Latin word for carrot, beta-carotenes are actually natural chemicals that belong to the carotenoid family. Aside from carrots, beta-carotene is found in orange squashes, pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Since the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, this nutrient helps repair your skin and may even reduce your risk for breast cancer.
7. Just the Flax, Ma’am . . . Flax seeds and flax seed oil are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help protect the heart from diseases. This is very important, since heart disease remains the leading cause of premature death among women. Flax also contains substances called lignans, which are an excellent source of fiber. One way to add flax to your diet is to grind your own seeds and add them to that bowl of cereal in the morning.
6. Iron It Out . . . To have a well-balanced diet, it is essential to meet your body’s iron requirements. Don’t take iron in supplement form; rather, women should get as much of it as they can from the food they eat. Iron found in food is easier for the body to absorb. Great sources of iron include Lean red meats, dark meat poultry and lentils.
5. Boy Oh Boy, It’s Soy! . . . Eating plenty of phytoestrogen-rich soybeans can help women significantly lower their bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good (HDL) cholesterol. Tofu is a terrific source of protein. Even if you aren’t a tofu fan,there are many innovative ways to include it in your food.You can even spin some firm tofu in a food processor and use it instead of ricotta cheese in your home-made lasagna. Wow! What an idea!
4. Water, Water Everywhere . . . Drinking plenty of water is necessary for the health of both men and women alike. Water is also of the best tools in the weight loss game, since it suppresses your appetite and helps your body metabolize stored fat.
3. Broccoli Power!. . . Even though former President George Herbert Walker Bush refused to eat these little trees, broccoli is absolutely necessary for woman’s health. Broccoli is a incredible source of calcium and contains other important nutrients like potassium and vitamin B.
2. Chalk up the Calcium. . . Though the recommended Daily allowance of calcium is about 800mg a day, some experts state that most women should get almost twice this amount. Eating plenty of yogurt and other dairy products is an excellent way women (especially older women to protect themselves against osteoporosis.
1. A Fishy Experience!. . . Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also high in protein and is low in cholesterol – including the fact that it contains vitamin B, calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium.
Ladies, these 10 foods will serve you well – your health will improve, and just feeling better will be a bonus in itself!
