Detox Meals for the Single Woman’s Soul

The number one mistake I see people make when starting on a diet is rooted in a simple albeit wrong assumption: All food is created equal.

Based on this misperception, you may actually believe that, to lose weight, all you have to do is eat less of whatever it is you’ve been eating.

Cutback, from a full bowl of ice cream to just half of a bowl, or eat a doughnut every other day. Junk food is junk food no matter what size portion it comes in or how frequently, or infrequently you eat it.

Wrong.

The other great fallacy is the idea that food that is good for you doesn’t taste good.

Once again, this is just flat wrong.

Last month on SMW’s Health Channel, we ran a series of articles about the importance of getting fit, and staying fit. Now, in the weeks leading up to the holiday season, I’d like to focus on the types of food choices we make—because that has the greatest affect on both your weight, and your health.

In fact, often we’ll give more thought to the fortune cookie we’ll pull from the bowl than the foods we put into our mouths.

Sad, isn’t it?

In reality, good health begins with choosing good foods. And these ten foods are a great, heart smart place to start:

Food #1: Oatmeal

Begin each day with a hot bowl of oatmeal. Lots of people suggest
steel-cut oatmeal over the instant because it has a high fiber content.
My thought, however, is that if you’re like me and you prefer the taste
and the ease of preparation of one-minute oatmeal, go for that instead.
There are plenty of opportunities during the day to make up for
additional fiber. Plus, oatmeal is a base on which you can heap so many
healthy things that are good for you, including—

Food #2: Cinnamon

It’s great on top of oatmeal, and believe it or not, it’s a health
food, too: In recent tests it was shown to reduce fasting blood glucose
by 18 to 29%, triglycerides by 23 to 30%, LDL cholesterol by 7 to 27%,
and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%.

A word of caution: large doses work as a blood thinner. If you already
take prescription thinners, such as Wayfarin, stay away from it and
check with your doctor.

Foods #3: Berries

Specifically blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
These fruits are all great for vascular health. Have them in the
morning or cut them up for a delicious snack or dessert anytime of the
day.

Food #4. Salmon

Sit down to salmon for lunch or dinner; it’s loaded with omega-3 fatty
acids, and you should have salmon once or twice a week. Along side that
salmon make yourself a spinach salad. That will more than make up for
the fiber you lost with your instant oatmeal.

Foods #5: Vegetables

You just knew this would make the list, right?  Well sure, why not?
Studies consistently find that people who have two to three servings of
vegetables per day have 25% fewer heart attacks and that percentage
keeps increasing dramatically with the addition of even more fruits and
vegetables. In the age of washed and prepackaged dark green veggies
such as broccoli and  spinach can be a quick easy choice, and baby washed and peeled carrots make a quick between meal pick me up.  And while your at it, spread a teaspoon full of…

Food #6: Flaxseed

Very high in Vitamin B1 and Magnesium, initial studies suggest that
flaxseed, taken in your diet, may benefit individuals with certain
types of breast^[6][7] and prostate cancers as well as save your heart.

Foods #7:  Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews

These nuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. And, speaking of nature’s omega-3 gifts, don’t forget…

Food #8: Legumes

Lentils, chickpeas, black and kidney beans are zero fat and low in calories—all great for a heart smart diet.

Food #9: Avocados

Chopped into salads, crushed into guacamole, or sliced and put on a
sandwich or another smart choice because they will lower your bad
cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol.  Olive oil, like avocados
are proof that your heart loves certain foods, high in fats. Again,
this is a food that lowers bad cholesterol, and helps to promote a
healthy heart.

Food #10: Soy

Hey, don’t tell me you don’t like the taste. From braised tofu, to
edamame (soy beans in the shell) to soymilk (there is even a chocolate
flavored variety) to a wonderful variety of soy-based vegetarian
products, including Soy Joy ice cream (I DARE you to taste the
difference between it and regular chocolate ice cream) soy is not only
delicious, it’s all-low in saturated fat, while still providing a great
source of protein.

In two weeks we’ll return to the issue of healthy foods with a look at
the Mediterranean diet, which is not only heart smart but an effective
tool in the fight against cancer as well.

Obviously the foods that I’ve discussed in this article are just a
start on a healthy diet, but remember one simple fact: make fruits and
vegetables your favorite foods and chances are you will live a long
life loving the body you’re in.