Making Healthier Food Choices

Did you know that how we prepare our foods is almost as important as what food choices we make to stay healthy? Here are some handy tips to place in your kitchen for preparing and choosing our food.

BBQ Tips:

Everyone loves a good barbecued meal. Did you know that some BBQ meals could actually pose a health risk?

The American Institute for Cancer has stated that some foods when grilled can expose us to something called "heterocyclic amines" (HCAs) which are carcinogens. They form on foods that have been cooked at a high temperature even if char (blackened substance) has not formed on the food. Another carcinogen called "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons" (PAHs) can get on your food when grease or fat drips onto the heat source and smoke billow out that spews deposits on the food being grilled. How do you have fun grilling without exposing your family and guest to carcinogens that cause cancer? Simply wrap the meat and other food items in foil before placing them on the grill. This way you get the entire BBQ flavor without exposing yourself and others to the risk of cancer.

Fiber Choices:

We all have heard how wonderful adding fiber to our diet can be, but how do we do that? Here are some fiber choices that may even sound appealing to you:

Place baked beans on a slice of whole-wheat toast, this is a quick and tasteful snack.

Have one cup of cooked oatmeal with your favorite preserve or jam swirled into it (use only 1 teaspoon of the sweet).

Eat an apple, it tastes good and contains fiber.

Some people actually love the taste of prunes and they are a good source of fiber. You can soak a cup of dried prunes in water to soften them and make them easier to chew.

Carrots are a good source of fiber and can be eaten raw. They are sweet and make a good snack choice.

When increasing your fiber intake slowly, don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Love the Olive:

Ancient Greeks used the olive leaf as a wound cleanser. It is also a diuretic and research has shown that the olive leaf can also lower your blood sugar level and your blood pressure. They also have antimicrobial properties for fighting against certain bacteria, some strains of fungi, and viruses.

The olive oil when cold pressed can act as a protective in the digestive tract and can relive dry skin too. Olive oil is a good oil choice for keeping your heart healthy because it prevents a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. It can also heal broken or irritated skin.

The healthful cranberry

Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C, and taste good as a juice blend. Many women know that if you drink cranberry juice it can protect you against repeat urinary tract infections.

Cranberries are also good to eat to help your body fight inflammations and they can also inhibit the growth of e-coli.