Twenty Terrific Foods - The First Ten.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I've been reading a book called 'The 100 Foods You Should Be Eating', by Glen Matten (I highly recommend it!). In light of this, I thought I'd do a shortlist of 20 foods I love eating, and think that you should too, along with a summary of their health benefits. So that I don't bang on too much, I'll just do the first 10 for now, and save the rest for later! Oh, and I apologise for the sparsity of photos...a quick glance in the cupboards tells me that I need to go shopping! I promise more in the next post :)

1) Oats

Why?

- Made up of soluble fibre (beta-glucans), which soak up bad cholesterol

- Full of anti-oxidants, plant sterols, and is a low G.I (glycaemic-index) foodstuff. This means it slowly releases energy, keeping blood sugar levels stable - really good if you suffer from diabetes.

2) Rye Bread

Why?

- A great source of fibre

- Full of plant sterols (good for lowering cholesterol), anti-oxidants and B vitamins

- A low G.I food

3) Peppers

Why?

- Packed full of vitamin C, and beta carotene, a great antioxidant

- Great source of folate and vitamin B6, which controls blood levels of homocysteine, a high level of which can increase the risk of developing heart disease

4) Halloumi Cheese

Why?

- Whilst cheese can sometimes be seen as the devil, due to its high fat content, halloumi is lower in fat and salt than many other cheeses.

- A great source of protein and calcium, which is good news for your bones and muscles!

5) Beetroot

Why?

- Contains unique anti-oxidants, called betalains, that protect against cancer-causing free radicals

- Also a good source of folate and potassium

6) Walnuts

Why?

- Like cheese, nuts can be looked on by the ultra health-conscious as evil because they are high in fat, and therefore calories. However, these are the 'good', unsaturated fats, which the body needs, so you can enjoy them in peace (and moderation).

- Great source of Omega 3, anti-oxidants, and phytosterols, which help to lower cholesterol. In absence of actual walnuts, here's a banana loaf with some walnuts on top!

7) Chickpeas

Why?

- Great source of fibre and protein, making them perfect for vegetarians and vegans

- Contain iron and B vitamins

- Help to lower cholesterol

8) Spelt

Why?

- Like wholegrains, and rye, full of fibre, anti-oxidants, B vits and phytochemicals

- Great source of energy

- Studies have shown a link between the consumption of wholegrains and a reduced risk of heart disease and some cancers

9) Swiss Chard

Why?

- Full of my beloved carotenoids, which help to reduce the risk of heart disease, but especially lutein and zeaxanthin. These foreign-sounding substances and found in our retinas and lenses, so swiss chard is great for eye health

- Also contains vitamin K, which can be hard to come across in our diets, magnesium, and vitamin C. It's truly a wonderful veg!

10) Turkey

Why?

- Being a lean, white meat, it's a great source of protein, and low in saturated fat.

- Great source of selenium, zinc and vitamins B3 and B6. B6 is needed for our nervous systems and the brain chemicals which control our moods. Studies have shown that eating turkey can help to make us happy - no wonder we're always so merry on Christmas Day!

I'll have the final 10 for you soon!

Nati xXx