Some Essential Foods

Author and Broadcaster Colin McKeand is a Nutritionalist and specialises in ‘eating for energy’. Although we know that weight management is all about your relationship with food and not the food itself, Colin can show you how some small changes to the things you eat can have you feeling better and bursting with more energy in no time at all.

In 400 B.C. Hippocrates the father of medicine said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”  The wisdom of Hippocrates words takes on more importance than ever as we discover the potent, health-giving substances of super foods. Here’s a list of some of these foods that should always be in your kitchen.

	Apples — more vitamin C than an orange and full of antioxidants. With so many varieties, from tart to sweet, there’s an apple for every taste.
	Tomatoes — loaded with lutein, which is good for maintaining healthy eyes, and the antioxidant lycopene.  Tomatoes may lower your risk of developing many forms of cancer.
	Garlic — natural antibacterial properties, also helps lower blood pressure and may even help prevent stomach cancer.
	Flaxseed — ancient grain can help women reduce the symptoms of menopause as well as cut the risk of breast cancer and help maintain healthy bones.
	Carrots — loaded with beta carotene which your body converts to vitamin A.  In addition to helping maintain your eyesight, carrots may also help stave off cancer.
	Cauliflower — may reduce the risk of cancer and help those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
	Onions — lower blood pressure and contain flavonoids to help protect against cancer.
	Green Tea — rich in antioxidants that lower the risk of cancer and help reduce the risk of stroke. Be sure your tea is pesticide-free by buying organically grown green tea.
	Plums — high amounts of vitamin C.  They also fight anemia by helping the body absorb iron from the blood stream.
	Cranberries — loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. They have long been known as an aid for urinary tract health and are now recognised as an effective antibiotic.
	Yams — a terrific source of heart-healthy vitamin B-6 as well as a good source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. They are also useful in controlling the symptoms of menopause.
	Celery — rich in vitamin C and also contains compounds called pthalides, which can help regulate blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of the arteries and allowing them to dilate. Pthalides also help reduce stress hormones.
	Olives — high in antioxidants and are an excellent source of vitamin E.  They also contain iron, copper and dietary fibre. Olives are also rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
	Strawberries — rich in vitamin C, phenols, folate, vitamin B-5 and other important nutrients.  They offer protection from heart disease and cancer. Their anti-inflammatory properties make them important for those who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain.
	Manuka Honey — from New Zealand is a natural sweetener that is actually good for you. It’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.