Food: Power Foods For Your Family

Food Shopping
Articles
Seafood Articles

Cheeses
Chocolates, & Candy
Coffee & Tea
Desserts
Fruit
Gift Baskets
International Foods
Meats
Nuts
Seafood
Specialty Foods
Complete List
Home

Article List
Directory
Resources

Articles/Resources:
Beans
Breakfast
Budget
Cheese
Chinese
Comfort Foods
Dessert
Diet
Eating Habits
Everything Food
Fast Food
Food Gifts
Food History
Food Shopping
Food Traditions
Foods and Events
Foods and Holidays
Foods and Places
French
Fruits
Gift Baskets
Healthy Foods
Italian
Lunch
Mexican
Recipes
Restaurants
Treats
Vegetables

Archives:
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
July 2006
August 2006
September 2006
October 2006

Have New Articles E-Mailed To You!

Power Foods For Your Family
Tuesday, October 10, 2006

If you are one of those people who just wished there would be more than 24 hours a day, than join the club. As a mother and wife it is your duty to ensure that the family eats and stays healthy. It is not an easy task to juggle your career and family matters at the same time. Your family should enjoy the food that you have prepared and at the same time it must be nutritious. It must fast and simple to prepare so that it does not take up much of your time. Therefore the best way is to add in power foods into the diet that will be beneficial for the family as a whole.

Power foods are usually made up of fruits and vegetables that are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidant that helps boost our immune system and prevent diseases. It is vital that you identify these power foods and cook them in creative ways to ensure the whole family enjoys the meal. Young children can be picky eaters and the trick is to get them to eat their food without making any fuss about it.

Some power foods can also help boost brainpower for children. The foods on the list are eggs that contain choline a vitamin like substance that helps in the creation of memory stem cells in the brain. Oatmeal is a whole grain that is rich in fiber and digests slowly releasing a slow stream of energy and is also an excellent source of protein. Strawberries and blueberries are very rich with antioxidants that prevent long term effect of oxidative stress on the brain. Whole wheat bread is high in fiber and folate a B vitamin that manufactures brain cells in the brain. Fortified cereals contain vitamin B12 that boosts the ability to remember things better. Lean beef is a source of iron and zinc. Studies have shown that the lack of iron and zinc can impair the memory power of a person.

In order to get your kids to eat these foods you need to turn up their appeal. Let your children help you in the preparation of the meal. When they have a part to play it is more fun and once the meal is ready there will be eagerness in them to try what they have created. Explain and talk to your children about the foods and its benefits during the process of preparation. Communication is important rather than forcing your child to shove down the food into his throat. Busy mothers can use this time to bond with their children and cook at the same time. This way meal time becomes a fun time for children.

When preparing food for children always ensure there is a mix of color involved. A dish will not look appetizing if it is all white or green. A bowl of oatmeal with strawberries will look more attractive compared to just a bowl of oatmeal. Colors attract children so just be creative and combine foods together to create a nice meal for your child. Allow your children to choose their food when you go shopping and introduce them to healthy foods such as bananas, kiwi, orange and vegetables. This way they will not reject their food, as it is not something alien to them. Get two things done at the same time shop and educate your child about healthy eating and your child will feel more confident because his opinion also matters in the household.

Cook the foods in a way your children like them best and they will eat without any fuss. Beef can be made into burgers and steaks. Oatmeal can be combined with raisins, honey, nuts, and strawberries. Whole wheat bread and eggs can be toasted or made into sandwiches. Fruits can be cut into bite sizes and served with toothpicks so that it would be more fun for the kids. As a parent you also need to set a good example for your children during meal times when the family eats together. Your eating habits affect your child, if you avoid eating your greens than most probably your child is likely to do the same.

Foods that enhance memory power and the brain are important but concentration should also be given to other foods as to maintain the health and well being of each family member. Our body is easily worn out due to stress at work and at home, foods that are high on antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids and phytonutrients are important to provide us with a boost of energy and protection from all those harmful diseases.

Prevention is always better than cure and foods like broccoli, mango, bananas and citrus fruits should be included in your diet to maintain a good immune system. Tea and dark chocolate are top on the list now as they contain high amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, slow down oxidation, prevents cancer and aging effects. The fact that chocolate can actually be good for us is quite shocking as it helps prevent heart diseases but it is important that you consume it on a moderate basis.

Broccoli, carrots and apricots contain beta carotene that helps reduce stroke, spinach has it all with vitamin A, C, folic acid and magnesium that controls cancer, blocks free radicals and prevents osteoporosis. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cranberries are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants that are so powerful it can reverse and prevent diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems. Soybean and tofu lowers the bad cholesterol LDL level in the bloodstream. Salmon on the other hand is rich in omega 3-oils that help combat heart disease. Papaya, Pineapple, Kiwi and Mango are high in enzymes that boost the immune system from allergies and diseases. Tomatoes contain lycopenes an antioxidant that is more powerful than vitamin C.

It is not a hard task to include these foods in your diet. When you pack your kids lunch box be sure to include a fruit everyday. Fruits can be bought fresh and stored in the refrigerator and you too can include a fruit a day in your breakfast. You can also replace your cup of coffee in the morning with a cup of green tea that will leave you refreshed. When preparing a salad you can opt to use more tomatoes that will give it more color and taste. Yogurt is an excellent desert with live cultures such as probiotics beneficial bacteria that promotes a healthy digestive system.

Minor changes are all that it takes to incorporate power foods into the family diet without taking up much of your time. It is a small price to pay for such a big reward that you and your family will obtain whilst enjoying your food at the same time.

11:31 PM Comments:
Post a Comment

<< Home