On CBS News, February 14, 2007, I spoke about the benefits of eating red fruits. Here are ideas to help you look and feel fantastic for this special celebration.
There’s no need to eat poorly because we are celebrating another commercially exploited day. If you receive flowers, that’s nice. If you receive chocolates, this may just do you in with your health goals. Even dark chocolate, with it’s healthy flavonoids, still needs to be eaten in small amounts. So our best option is red fruit. This suits the occasion and will satisfy your sweet tooth without making you feel sluggish, depressed and fat – kills romance.
Like all fruits and vegetables, the deeper the color, the better for your health as the antioxidant content will be higher. Antioxidants mop up the aging and damaging free radicals in your body and boost your immune system. When you keep in better health, you age better. Fearing poor health is also aging, whereas a healthy weight is anti-aging. Haven’t you noticed when you lose weight, you look and feel much younger and more energetic?
Which antioxidants are in red fruits?
Anthocyanins: may help inhibit blood clot formation and decline in mental function.
Alpha- and Beta-carotene: accumulates in skin cells and reduces sun damage; studies show it produces a smoother skin and reduces risk for skin cancers; promotes healthy vision.
Beta-cryptothanxin: fights heart disease, decreases risk for some cancers.
Lycopene (another carotenoid): particularly protects skin from sun damage; may reduce risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.
Vit C: keeps teeth and gums healthy, which is important as you age. You don’t want to lose your teeth.
Potassium: helps lower blood pressure.
Vitamin A and lutein: important for eye health.
Fiber: soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and insoluble fiber helps prevent constipation. – the very common, silent disease.
Studies: look good for lowering risk for Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
On Valentine’s Day (and every day), be sure to use the following fruits abundantly:
Pomegranates – scrape out the chewy seeds and add to yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch or fruit salad for dessert.
Red Grapefruit – cut in half and slice in the segments. Use a grapefruit spoon to scoop out.
Watermelon – when you buy it, cut it in squares right away and keep in the fridge - great to snack on anytime of the day.
Strawberries – dip in melted dark chocolate for a special dessert.
Grapes – rinse, cut into clusters and keep in fridge. When anyone feels like a few grapes, they’re ready to go.
Tomatoes – stir-fry for breakfast, slice and put on a cheese sandwich, or cut up for a salad; also great in guacamole and stir-fry.
If you make the effort to keep these fruits at home, you’ll have no difficulty eating 5 fruits a day.
