You Are What You Eat
| 10th August 2016
As summer is in full swing, the term you are what you eat is settled pretty nicely into our heads as we devour all those BBQs and cakes as well as all that wine but there may be some truth behind that saying than we actually thought.
Leading experts have found 10 foods which benefit the body that they look like, we may have to start having some more of these if experts say they’ll help!
- Walnuts for the brain
“Walnuts look incredibly like a brain. They are a good source of Omega 3 – the essential fatty acid. Omega 3 is good for the brain in that it helps with memory and also increasing concentration,” (Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com).
Walnuts are one of those nuts that you could actually do a few things with, we might just have to get our recipe books out tonight.
- Carrots for the eyes
“Eating for eyesight can be a great way to help protect against vision problems later on in life. Carrots contain beta-carotene in abundance, this gives them heir characteristic bright orange colour. Beta-carotene is the precursor for vitamin A, a nutrient so essential for eye health that deficiencies can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration.Carrots are also a rich source of an antioxidant called lutein. Lutein is known to help protect the retina by increasing the pigment density” (Lily Soutter, nutritionist and weight loss expert at lilysoutternutrition.com).
Carrots for dinner anyone?
- Red wine for the blood
“Red wine is known for having a high content of a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol. Resveratrol helps prevent cardiovascular health conditions such as high cholesterol, by protecting blood cells and platelets. It also has a slight blood thinning property which helps prevent blood clots that are associated with heart disease and strokes,” (Shona Wilkinson).
We’re off to stock our cupboards up with some red wine.
- Bananas for your smile
Bananas contain tryptophan, which the body then turns into serotonin (the ‘feel good’ hormone). The manufacture of serotonin depends on how much tryptophan is transported into your brain leading us to smile more and looks more like a banana unless of course you don’t like bananas which then turns into a sad face (upside down banana right?)
“Dairy products, fish, dried dates, soya, almonds and peanuts are all foods which also naturally contain tryptophan. Combining these foods with unrefined carbohydrates, such as brown rice, wholemeal bread or oats, helps the body to release insulin to help tryptophan uptake to the brain,” (Dr. Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist, author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar www.marilynglenville.com).
- Tomatoes for the heart
The red colour of tomatoes resembles blood flow and when sliced you see tomatoes have chambers, just like the structure of the heart.
“Lycopene is the antioxidant responsible for tomato’s bright red colour and is the main antioxidant which provides heart health benefits. Studies have shown that lycopene may enhance harmful LDL cholesterol degradation, whilst reducing risk of atherosclerosis and strokes” (Lily).
Looks like we might try out some tomato soup this week or we might even try and make our own tomato puree for a pizza.
- Mushrooms for the ears
When sliced in half a mushrooms looks similar to an ear.
“Mushrooms are quite unusual in that they are one of the very few foods which contain Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for bone health – remember that the ear has 3 tiny and delicate bones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain. People who suffer from hearing problems are often Vitamin D deficient,” (Shona).
So with our full English breakfast, the tomatoes and the mushrooms are actually good for us, maybe we should have more of those than all the greasy bacon.
- Avocado for the Womb
Avocado has been described as ‘the world’s most perfect food’ purely because of its array of wondering health benefits. Avacados not only resemble the womb and cervix it also takes 9 months to grow from blossom to a ripened fruit, mirroring the development of a human baby within the womb.
“Avocados are rich in folate: a B vitamin essential for cell division during foetal growth in pregnancy. Folate also plays a vital role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. They are also rich in monounsaturated fats. Research has shown that these fats could help triple the chances of conception via IVF, with women being advised to eat an avocado a day,” (Lily).
Avocado on toast anyone?
- Red Kidney Beans for the kidneys
“Red kidney beans look so much like the human kidney that they have been named after them! They are incredibly high in fibre which helps with our digestive system. They are also a great source of magnesium and potassium. Studies have shown that people who don’t have enough magnesium and potassium in their diets increase their risk of suffering from kidney stones. They are delicious to add to your diet and can be eaten either hot or cold,” (Shona).
Think we might need to buy phentermine online and look into what to have with kidney beans.
- Celery for the bones
Celery sticks look like the structure of bones as well as being a bone strengthening food.
“Celery is jam-packed full of vitamin K, which works in tandem with Vitamin D for the production of new bone cells called osteoclasts. Vitamin K is also needed for the absorption of calcium, a mineral playing a vital role in the prevention of osteoporosis,” (Lily).
Celery is on our shopping list for our BBQ this weekend then.
- Ginger for the stomach
Ginger resembles the shape of our stomachs and may just be what you need for digestive issues and that slim stomach.
“It helps to normalise the functions of the intestines and the stomach. Consuming a ginger tea with a meal is a great idea,” (Shona).
Think we need to invest in some ginger tea to help us out!