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Cholesterol Super Foods
September 8, 2008 |
Elizabeth McCormick is a registered dietitian with Lee Memorial Health System.
She says certain foods can do more for your body than others.
“Super foods are foods that go above and beyond their nutritional value and
provide health benefits on top of just their vitamin and mineral content.” Along
with antioxidant rich foods, Elizabeth says the other main group of superfoods
are those that lower cholesterol.
“The cholesterol lowering foods would be foods that are high in soluble fiber
like your legumes, your beans, or oatmeal, oats.” Foods rich in soluble fiber
have been proven to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
“You’ve got your healthy mono unsaturated fats like your almonds, your olive
oil, and your avocados. Those not only lower your bad cholesterol but they
increase your good cholesterol. Then you’ve got your omega three fatty acids
which are your essential fatty acids and that’s your fatty fishes like salmon.”
Research shows that eating a half a teaspoon of natural cinnamon every day can
lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar.
But physicians and dietitians say it’s important to not focus on only eating
super foods. Instead you should include them as part of a well balanced diet.
“It really comes down to just eating a well balanced diet. Get all your food
groups in moderation and have some variety and you’ll get everything that you
need.”
Shopping locally for fruits and vegetables can also help insure that you’re
getting fresh, all natural foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Another good tip on buying fresh is to shop around the perimeter of your local
grocery store. There you will find foods that are fresh and have not been
processed or frozen. |
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