Ever hear “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” or had a loved one try to drown you in chicken soup at the first sign of a cold? Well, it turns out that certain foods have been proven to help you heal or prevent illness from occurring in the first place. Just ask Rebecca Scritchfield, a Registered Dietitian and American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health and Fitness Specialist.
“Many medications we use every day are made from natural ingredients extracted from plants, so going to the source is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for more holistic remedies,” she explains. “A well-balanced diet, especially one rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables can help keep you healthy and less reliant on over the counter solutions.”
Okay, I can hear the long lineage of overprotective Jewish mothers that begat me sigh in vindication. (But I’m still not eating Gefilte fish, not matter how hard they try.) I’m a big believer in preventative maintenance – that’s why I hit the gym most days before dawn, make dental appointments before the reminder card arrives and never leave the hairdresser without my next touch-up booked. So learning that foods I already enjoy and can easily access also maximize my health is a big bonus! Not that I expected learning anything less from an expert on finding wellness within who happily rocked a hula-hoop during the 2012 Fitness & Health Bloggers Conference. According to Rebecca, foods high on the healing list include:
Tart Cherries: Their deep red color comes from anthocyanins — a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce pain and inflammation. Tart cherry juice has no added sugar and is perfect for before a workout.
Pistachios: They have the most antioxidants of any nut, and come in a generous serving of 49 kernels. They provide anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties…
Read More: The Lighter Perspective
