I am so honored today to have Cassie Brewer as a Guest Blogger! Cassie is the blogger over at http://cassiembrewer.weebly.com/ and, In my opinion, one super cool chick!
You want all the members of your family to grow
healthy and strong, and you also want to maintain your well-being, right? Forget fast food and focus on superfoods.
Here are important nutrients found in superfoods that should form part of your
family’s diet.
Vitamin C
A surprising Vitamin C-rich vegetable is
cauliflower. Just one serving has 77% of your daily Vitamin C requirements!
Although kids might turn their noses up at cauliflower, you can use it
creatively in meals, such as by grating it onto delicious scrambled eggs.
- Eggs. Not just essential for protein, eggs contain all the B-vitamins your body needs. Choose organic eggs for higher nutrient content and less risk of contaminated feed.
- Steel-cut oats. These oats contain good amounts of B-vitamins, such as B6 for brain development; B1, B2 and B3 to convert carbohydrates into glucose for energy; and folate for the production of red and white blood cells. Folate is especially essential during pregnancy, infancy and the teen years. Choose steel-cut oats as it undergoes less processing, preserving its nutrient content.
- Greek yogurt. It has a range of B- vitamins, such as B1, B2 and B12. These sustain energy levels while protecting your cardiac and neurological systems. Add honey or fruit to yogurt to sweeten it for kids.
- Quinoa. If you or your child suffers from migraines, quinoa can be a natural way to keep them at bay because it contains Vitamin B2 and magnesium. Vitamin B2 also supports cellular functions in the body.
Omega-3s
These fatty acids are vital for cognitive
development in children. Omega-3s are also good for the heart - studies have
found that people who eat two servings of fatty fish such as salmon
twice a week have lower heart disease rates. Remember to feed the older members
in your family omega-3s too, as these fight
inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Other sources of omega-3s
include walnuts, flaxseed and chia seeds. A handful of chia seeds contains nine
grams of fat, but five of them are omega-3s!
Important
Antioxidants
Vitamin EVitamin E protects the body and skin from free radical damage, and it can even reduce diabetes complications. Vitamin E coordinates the body’s cells so it’s vital for development, tissue repair and immunity. Some Vitamin E foods include:
Avocados. Spread them on toast for a
tasty treat! Avocados contain monounsaturated fats which help eye
and brain health in kids.
- Sweet potato. These maintain blood sugar levels and are high in fibre.
- Pumpkin. It also contains other
antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, and zinc which maintains a healthy immune system.
Make pumpkin exciting to kids with pumpkin
French toast or by filling pancakes with it!
Amazingly, polyphenols block enzymes that cancers require in order to grow.
- The polyphenol found in tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the one most linked to cancer prevention. Green tea is also good for kids as it contains catechins that protect against flu, but limit caffeinated beverages to one daily serving.
- This is one superfood kids will love! Cocoa contains polyphenols, one of them being flavonoids which boost your heart and oral health. Choose products with at least 70 percent cocoa to reap their benefits.
- Coconut and olive oils also contain polyphenols, but use them in small quantities as they’re calorie dense. Purchase virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil for maximum polyphenol content.
Health is
the greatest wealth! By choosing nutritious foods for your family, you can make
everyone healthier and happier.
About Cassie! Please remember to follow her on TWITTER and visit her blog at http://cassiembrewer.weebly.com/
My name is Cassie Brewer and I live in Southern California where I have made a great life for myself doing what I love. My passion is makeup/beauty and writing. I am a pet lover, I have 3 dogs and 2 cats! I attended MUD makeup school and have been working away on short films and small things such as weddings, parties and high fashion runway shows. I believe makeup is an art and I love to express myself through it. Helping others with beauty tips makes me feel good about myself. I enjoy writing about tips that help other girls feel beautiful. I did tons of modeling when i was younger and I think that's what turned me on beauty and makeup because those people made me feel flawless and I figured I could do that to other people. Also, yes my hair color is natural. ;)
