Healthy Foods

Food as a source of energy and life. Healthy eating recipes.

Archive for the 'Healthy Food' Category

Cumin
07 7th, 2009

CuminScientific Name: Cuminum cyminum

Biological Background: A seasoning that is the principal ingredient of curry powder, a blend of powdered Indian spices. Cumin is a member of the parsley family and cumin seeds resemble caraway seeds. The aromatic seed has a characteristic strong, slightly bitter taste. Traditionally cumin has been used to flavor cheese, unleavened bread, chili, and tomato sauce.

Nutritional Information: Due to its use as a spice, cumin provides insignificant amount of nutrients.
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Watermelon
09 8th, 2008

WatermelonScientific Name: Citrullus Vulgaris

Biological Background: The fruit of an annual vine belonging to the squash and melon family. Watermelon originated in Africa and has been cultivated since ancient times in the Mediterranean region, Egypt and India.

Nutritional Information: One slice of watermelon (480 g) contains 152 calories, 3 g protein, 34.6 g carbohydrates, 2.4 g fiber, 560 mg potassium, 176 mg vitamin A (RE), 47 mg vitamin C, 0.3 mg thiamin, 0.1 mg riboflavin, and 0.96 mg niacin.
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Pineapple
04 1st, 2008

PineappleScientific Name: Ananas cosmosus

Biological Background: A tropical plant with stiff, spiny leaves that yields a single large fruit. Pineapple originated in Brazil.

Nutritional Information: One cup (155 g) of raw pineapple contains 76 calories, 0.6 g protein, 19.2 g carbohydrates, 2.95 g fiber, 175 g potassium, 124 mg vitamin C, 0.14 mg thiamin, 0.06 mg riboflavin, 0.65 mg niacin.

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Benefits of Garlic
11 10th, 2007

GarlicScientific Name: Allium sativum

Biological Background: This bulbous plant is closely related to onions, leeks, chives and is a member of Allium vegetables. Garlic is native to Central Asia, and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years.

Nutritional Information: Due to its use as a spice, garlic provides insignificant amount of nutrients.

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Black Grapes

Grapes

Scientific Name: Vitus spp.

Biological Background: Grape is a pulpy, smooth-skinned berry, growing in clusters on vines. Grape was domesticated before 5,000 B.C. and is one of the oldest cultivated fruits.

Nutritional Information: Ten seedless grapes (50 g) provide 35 calories, 0.3 g protein, 8.9 g carbohydrate, 1.0 g fiber, 105 mg potassium, 5.4 mg vitamin C, 0.05 mg thiamin, 0.03 mg riboflavin, and 0.15 mg niacin.

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Olive OilBiological Background: Olive oil is extracted from ground olives (Olea europaea).

Nutritional Info: A tablespoon of olive oil contains 14 g of fat (mainly monounsaturated oleic acid), equivalent to 120calories.

Pharmacological Activity: Olive oil is rich in oleic acid, a monosaturated fatty acid, and phytochemicals oleurpein and hydrooxylorosol, potent anti oxidants. Olive oil can lower blood levels of an undesirable form of cholesterol, LDL, while raising the level of HDL, the desirable kind of cholesterol and help keep LDLcholesterol from being converted to a toxic or oxidized form, thus protecting arteries from the fatty plague. Olive oil can also reduce blood pressure and help regulate blood sugars. Oleuropein and hydrooxylorosol in oliveoil help fight cancers, especially braest cancer.

Eating Tips: Use olive oil for salads and cooking.

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Phytochemicals
07 11th, 2007

Phytochemicals refer to a very broad class of substances derived from plants that have a beneficial effect on health. Many new studies have indicated consumption of phytochemicals through eating whole plant foods is a major factor to prevent many chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Current study on phytochemicals is focused on the following groups:

Carotenoids. This group includes b-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, phytoene, zeaxanthin, and other compounds.

Indoles. This group includes indo-3-carbinol and other compounds.

Isothiocyanates. This group includes phenethylisocyanate, sulforaphanes, and other compounds.

Organosulfur compounds. This group includes diallyl sulfide and other compounds.

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BroccoliScientific Name: Brassica aleracea

Biological Background: Broccoli is a dark-green vegetable with small, tight heads (curds) mounted on stem-like buds, and is a member of Brassica family of the Cruciferous vegetables. It is one of the most popular vegetables and was originated in Italy.

Nutritional Information: One cup of chopped and cooked broccoli (146 g) provides 46 calories, 4.6 g protein, 8.7 g carbohydrates, 6.4 g fiber, 178 g calcium, 1.8 mg iron, 220 RE vitamin A, 0.13 mg thiamin, 0.32 mg riboflavin, 1.18 mg niacin, 98 mg vitamin C.

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Asparagus
06 3rd, 2007

Scientific Name: Asparagus officinalis

Biological Background: Asparagus is a vegetable with succulent shoots and scale-like leaves, belonging to the lily of the valley family. It was known to the ancient civilization of Egypt and Rome.

Nutritional Information: Four medium-sized spears (cooked, 60 g) contain 315 calories, 1.6 g protein, 2.6 g carbohydrate, 1.1 g fiber, 0.4 mg iron, 186 mg potassium, 50 RE vitamin A, 0.63 mg niacin, 16 mg vitamin C, and small amount of other vitamins.

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Apple
06 1st, 2007

Scientific Name: Malus Pumila

Biological Background: Apple was originated in Asia Minor. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and today is the most cultivated fruit tree in the world.

Nutritional Information: A typical medium-sized apple (212 g) provides 125 calories (most from fructose), 0.4 g protein, 6.6 g fiber, 244 mg potassium, 12 mg vitamin C, and traces of other minerals and vitamins.

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