Whether you’re trying to rid your body of something you’ve recently eaten or drank or you’re looking to drop a couple pounds by cleansing your system first, eating foods that help detox your body can be great for your health. And luckily, a lot of the best foods for detoxing actually aren’t horrible to eat. This little perk can make flushing out your system and getting everything back in balance easier than you might have dreamed. To give you a little help knowing which cleansing options might be best for you, here are three foods that will help detox your body. [Read more…]
What (not) to eat: High Cholesterol Foods
Cholesterol, the dreaded word for dieters and those with heart conditions. We’re often told to stay away from foods high in cholesterol in order to lose weight and keep our bodies healthy. Well, saying all cholesterol is bad would be wrong. LDL or low density lipoprotein is the ‘bad’ cholesterol which you should be avoiding while HDL or high density lipoprotein is believed to remove plaque in your arteries. So in short, aim for more HDL and keep LDL away from your diet.
Eggs vs Oatmeal
In deciding which breakfast food to wake up to, choose oatmeal over an omelette. Eggs can contain up to 200mg of cholesterol. This is bad considering the recommended daily dose of cholesterol should be 300mg/day. Oatmeal, on the other hand, is high in soluble fiber which lowers your LDL numbers by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed in your bloodstream.
Steak vs Fish
Eating just one 4-ounce portion of steak can take up to 22% of your daily cholesterol intake. Not to mention the large amounts of saturated fat in each bite. Instead of chowing down on some meat, choose a nice serving of fish. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids which are heart-healthy and can reduce your blood pressure and the risk of blood clots.
Walnuts vs Chips
When it comes to snacks, a handful of fries or chips doesn’t seem like a big deal. In truth, the amount of trans fat in certain snacks can turn them into high-cholesterol foods. Instead, grab a bad of walnuts or almonds. Walnuts have polyunsaturated fatty acids which are great in keeping blood vessels healthy. Just stay away from nuts coated with sugar or those that are salted.
Indulging in meat, eggs and chips may be alright once in a while but make it a point to balance out your diet with some heart-friendly dishes as well.
Couscous Salad
Couscous salad is a delicious dish which goes well with meat. If you do not have dried apricots, you may use raisins or dried cranberries instead.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups couscous
1 tablespoon olive oil
75g chopped dried apricots
2 cups baby spinach leaves
75g blanched, lightly roasted almonds or pistachios
75g feta cheese
75g roasted red capsicum, cut into small strips
Place the apricots and chicken stock in a medium sized saucepan over high heat. Bring it to a boil. After, remove from heat and add the couscous and the olive oil. Cover the pan for five minutes. Allow the couscous to absorb the oil.
Meanwhile, roughly chop the baby spinach leaves, almonds and feta cheese. Once the couscous has rested, transfer it to a salad bowl. Add the baby spinach leaves. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes. After, stir in the almonds, feta cheese and capsicums. Gently toss until combined. Serve immediately.
Photo Courtesy Of: jules:stonesoup
Green Beans with Thyme and Almonds
According to Wikepedia, green beans are also known as French beans or runner beans. They are available all year round and they are best eaten when they are tender but crisp. This recipe can be an entrée paired with potatoes or a side to meat dishes.
Ingredients:
2 lbs. green beans, trimmed (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/3 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the beans for 5 minutes or until tender but crisp.
Remove the beans from the pot and place them in a bowl of ice cold water. This will shock the beans and make its color more vibrant. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Sauté the garlic until it is fragrant. Stir-in 1 tablespoon of thyme and cook it for 2 minutes before adding the beans. Season it with salt and pepper. Mix well. Let it cook for another 3-5 minutes, so that the flavors can infuse together.
Place the beans on a serving bowl. Sprinkle it with almonds and the remaining thyme before serving.
Photo Courtesy Of: ccharmon