Healthy Foods

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

4 Servings

  • 2 medium carrots, cut into slices
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1/2 cup onion
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 cups of tomato juice
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 Tbs olive oil

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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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Calorie Restriction

06 21st, 2007

Calorie restriction refers to reducing calorie intake to achieve better health. Calories are a measure of the energy released when the body burns any fuel including fat, protein, carbohydrates, and alcohol. Many studies have indicated that excessive calorie intake may result in various health problems such as cancer, heart disease, aging, and obesity. One of the reason that excessive calorie intake cause those health problems is that it facilitate free radical production in the body. Free radicals are considered to be a major causative factor for cancer, heart disease, and aging. Thus proper calorie restriction is an effective way to achieve good health and longevity. According to experts, certain things need to be considered in order to have success with calorie restriction:

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Flavored Green Beans

06 13th, 2007

4 Servings

  • 1 lb green beans, washed and trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt to taste

Seam beans for 8 minutes until tender crisp. Saut onion and garlic in a small frying pan for 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce and seasonings. Cook 5 minutes more. Add beans and toss thoroughly to blend flavors and heat through.

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We are on the brink of new health revolution. It is finally being accepted by more and more people that many chronic illness, physical and mental, often going undiagnosed for years and suffered by thousands of people, are caused partially or wholly by allergies and intolerances to the foods that most of us eat every day of our lives.

Food allergy refers to an immediate, often dramatic reaction such as a sore mouth, an itchy red skin rash, an attack of asthma, etc. Blood and skin tests for the allergenic food are positive. In this case, your immune system overreacts, and mistakenly identifies innocent compounds, for example, cows milk or nuts, as enemies like bacteria and viruses. This mistake throws the immune system into a chain reaction of alert. It produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E or IgE to lunch an attack on the false threats (antigens), releasing histamines and other chemicals that provoke the symptoms of allergies.

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Cholesterol is a waxy naturally occurring fat that is made by the liver. Cholesterol is a paradox. On one hand, it contributes to such vital bodily functions as building new cells, insulating nerves, and producing hormones. On the other hand, it is a potential killer due to its association to various cardiovascular diseases. The risk of developing these cardiovascular problems is complex and depends not only how much cholesterol but also what kind of cholesterol you have in your blood. Generally speaking, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), the so called bad cholesterol, is associated with increased risk of dying from coronary heart disease; HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol is associated with decreased risk. This is because the LDLs serve on raw material to clog coronary arteries; in contrast, the HDLs gobble up the LDLs, and cart them to the liver, where they are annihilated. Obviously, the more HDL and the less LDL you have in your blood, the safer your arteries.

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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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