The aftermath of today’s chaotic lifestyle has led us all into a pit, coming out from which is highly unlikely, lest we put in efforts while sailing against the wind. There are weeds which are highly nutritious like the purslane but we prefer smoking it and having it affect our bodies in worst ways possible. Similarly there are some super-foods that never see our shopping cart. Foods that’ll help you instantly upgrade your health – without a prescription. Here are some that have either been forgotten or never been heard. The list is big so I am likely to break this chart in two or maybe three articles. But it is a must read for all the men who want to savor health and fitness as their religion.

Beet Root:
This crimson vegetable is the best source of folate and betaine, which work together to lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. It contains the natural pigments, betacyanins which have been proved to be potent cancer fighters in laboratory mice. If picking these grungy looking roots gives you a scare, think of them as red spinach.

How to eat them?
• They can be eaten fresh and raw but not from directly from the jar. Yes, you can cook them as well but heating beets may decrease their antioxidant power.

• For a simple single-serving salad, wash and peel one beet, and then grate it on the widest blade of a box grater. Serve with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon. You’ll adore it more than you thought.

• Besides, you can also eat the leaves and stems, which are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Just don’t forget to wash them thoroughly before consuming it.

• If you want to turn more innovative, sauté the leaves, along with a minced clove of garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil, in over medium-high heat. Cook until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Cabbage:
How often do you really pick up this cruciferous vegetable from the shelf? Never? Well, let me tell you that one cup of chopped cabbage has just 22 units of calories, and it is loaded with valuable nutrients. A chemical, sulforaphane, contained in it increases your body’s production of enzymes that disarm cell-damaging free radicals and reduces your risk of cancer to a great extent.

How to eat them?
You can put the cabbage in your burgers, in your hotdog sandwiches or any other snack you often consume. Try an Asian-style slaw in you intend to go for a better preparation.

Whisk together the canola or peanut oil, lime juice, and sriracha, an asian chili sauce you can find in the international section of your grocery store. Then mix to it a combination of toasted peanuts, shredded carrots, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl tossed with a dressing suiting your taste.

These are just two but very powerful foods you’ll know only if you consume them and see the results. Men who are searching for a regime that can upgrade their fitness almost instantly, these herbs can work wonders and will not just act as a powerful nutrient source but will also play on your mind to keep you free from any kind of stress or exhaustion.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 9:13 am and is filed under Diet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.