Make the Most of Antioxidant Foods

So many good things have been written about how important antioxidant foods are to help combat disease that it only makes sense to eat them everyday. They cost so much less than drugs and one doesn’t need a prescription either.

Both vegetables and fruits are antioxidants. The best way to eat them is raw but using a blender will help to create delicious smoothies also. The main thing to remember is to wash the fruits and vegetables properly since many of them will have traces of fertilizer or insecticide on them.

Smoothies can be made with any fruit and just about any combination. Milk, yogurt and even a raw egg can be tossed in to a smoothie for the added nutrients that the periodic egg will provide. Blueberries, apples, papaya, mango etc all are soft and easy to blend in a blender. Crushed ice can be added to enhance the coolness of the beverage.

Morning pancakes can be served with fresh fruit rather than canned. Hot or cold cereal is delicious when topped off with fresh blueberries. The pancakes or waffles can be made from whole grain flour for added nutrition.

Vegetables can be served slightly cooked or steamed. Steaming tends to destroy the least amount of nutrients. Older people may find it difficult to chew completely raw vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables are much more nutritious.

Cranberries are excellent antioxidants but should not have any sugar on them. Pomegranates are ranked very high in terms of their powerful antioxidant strength. Blueberries also rank high and have much less sugar in them than some other berries.

Keeping warm on a winter’s day with bean soup is delicious and healthy. Red beans, kidney and pinto beans are all excellent sources of antioxidants. They are delicious when added to salads also. These same beans can be used as fillers for omelettes, tacos and Sloppy Joe’s to name a few.

When fruits and vegetables are fresh on the vine they will have the most nutrition and taste. They can be frozen too to be enjoyed throughout the winter months. It is best to keep them free from sugar because their natural taste has enough sweetness.