Friday, May 29, 2009

Dr Perricone's 10 Super Foods

By Helen Reese

How to look 10 years younger in 10 days as promoted on the Oprah show is generating a great deal of interest. The show was amazing in it's simplicity by focusing on eating commonly known foods. The benefits gained from eating healthy foods are often overlooked. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, certain foods help you look younger! According to Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz eating "super foods" is easy. Oprah Winfrey did it. She wanted to look 10 years younger in 10 days and decided to try it.

So, what are these Super foods? And are they affordable and easy to find? The answer is yes to both. Each of the super foods is moderately priced and moderately common and some can even be found in powder or pill form which makes things even easier. The following is a list of the super foods shown on the Oprah show that are supposed to make you look 10 years younger in 10 days.

1) The "Allium Family" - Garlic, scallions, shallots onions, and leeks, etc are great for your health. All help the liver get rid of carcinogens. All of the allium foods are easy to incorporate into your diet. In my opinion, garlic is the most tasty and versatile. We go through many bulbs per week in our house. These foods are inexpensive and very easy to find.

2) Barley - Barley is an old-fashioned staple food. This grain can be used in many ways including as a breakfast cereal, as a rice or other starch substitute and in stews and soups. Barley is also high in fiber which helps manage and metabolize cholesterol, fats, and carbohydrates. . Barley is quite inexpensive and easy to locate.

3. Acai fruit - This little berry is one of the most nutritious, powerful and hyped foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in natural food stores. Prior to the Oprah Show I had never heard of the acai berry. I will check at my local natural food store to find out about availability and pricing.

4) Green Foods - We all know to eat our spinach. Green Foods can also help manage cholesterol and blood pressure. Green foods like wheat and barley grasses can be bought in powder, tablet or juice form, and offer greater levels of nutrients than green leafy vegetables. The powder or the tablet form would be extremely easy to add to my daily food intake. Greens are easy to find and relatively inexpensive

5) Buckwheat: Seed & Grain - Buckwheat is loaded with protein. It also stabilizes blood sugars and is high in amino acids. Buckwheat is inexpensive and very easy to find. It does have an acquired taste though and is my least favorite of the super foods intended to make you look 10 years younger in 10 days..

6. Yogurt and Kefir - These cultured foods contain healthful bacteria that aid immune function. They both contain calcium which helps burn fat helps burn fat. Try using them as a base for a smoothie or with fresh fruit. Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More therapeutic and nutritious than yogurt, Kefir supplies a complete protein, essential minerals, and essential B vitamins. Kefir is used to restore the inner eco-system after drug therapy. Yogurt is easy to find and inexpensive. Kefir is less easy to find and slightly more expensive.

7. Nuts & Seeds - Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia and pistachio nuts contain Omega 3 fats, which are great for your heart. Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds are healthiest. Nuts are easy to find and are moderately inexpensive. I use 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds in a number of different dishes I make for my family. Sesame seeds are the best when they are slightly toasted. Toast sesame seeds over low heat in a dry frying pan for about 2 minutes.

8) Beans & Lentils - You can reduce your cholesterol while beefing up on folic acid, antioxidants, and potassium. Try kidney, pinto, chickpeas, black, navy, soybeans, peas and/or lentils. Beans and lentils might be the easiest to enjoy of all of the super foods. Hummous adds two super foods together, namely chickpeas and garlic. The options availablewithin this grouping of foods is endless. Try a nice chilled bean salad for supper. Beans are cheap and easy to find.

9. Hot Peppers - Both bell peppers and chili peppers contain antioxidants and have twice the Vitamin C as citrus fruit. Best yet, they work as great fat burners. In moderation hot peppers had a delightful zing to most dishes. Bell peppers are a great addition to most dishes or salads.

10. Sprouts - There are numerous varieties of sprouts. The most common are bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts. They're a great source of both Vitamin C and protein.. Try adding them to any dish and your immune system will get a turbo boost. These are both inexpensive and easy to find although be sure to wash them well. The easiest and least expensive way to get spouts is to sprout your own from any type of bean.

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