| When considering what to include in a weight loss diet, | | | | nutritional benefits. Tomatoes are therefore my health |
| there are two factors that you should always consider | | | | food super hero. |
| early. The first is whether or not your chosen diet will | | | | Garlic |
| be sufficiently nutritious to keep you healthy. The | | | | When it comes to making boring foods tasty, garlic is |
| second is if the diet will be tasty enough to maintain | | | | way up there amongst the best. Along with tomatoes, |
| your interest, rather than for you to opt out through | | | | garlic is an important part of the Mediterranean Diet. |
| boredom. | | | | Like tomatoes, it can be used with just about any |
| It is possible to address both of these concerns at the | | | | other cooked food, so whatever your diet regime is, |
| same time by considering health food vitamins, and in | | | | you should find you can utilize garlic widely to satisfy |
| so doing you may be in for some pleasant surprises. | | | | your palate. |
| Much will depend in your tastes in food, but with | | | | Garlic has some important nutrients too, such as |
| experimentation, you should be able to construct a diet, | | | | calcium, vitamin C and vitamin B6, phosphorus and |
| within the guidelines of your nutritionist and doctor, that | | | | selenium, plus antibiotic properties. |
| is also interesting enough to enable you to not only | | | | Basil |
| stick to the diet but enjoy it also. | | | | Basil is a humble and popular herb that can be used |
| If you are able to end up with a diet that you can really | | | | liberally to bring its distinctive flavour to other foods. |
| enjoy, then there is a chance that it will become a | | | | What you may not realize is that basil also packs a |
| lifelong habit. It is possible to make permanent changes; | | | | punch when it comes to calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A |
| I know that from personal experience. Initially, it can be | | | | and vitamin C. Also, basil is a good source of iron, |
| difficult to make drastic changes, but it can be done | | | | potassium and magnesium, and carotenoids such as |
| much easier if you are enjoying the food you are | | | | beta carotene. |
| eating. In many cases, drastic changes may not even | | | | How about tomato and basil soup, with a touch of |
| be needed, but that is something it is best to discuss | | | | garlic? A super combo of health foods that will fit into |
| with your doctor in relation to your own health and | | | | most diets. |
| weight problem. | | | | Strawberries |
| I have selected five of my best diet foods, health | | | | The mention of strawberries seems like a self |
| foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients, which will | | | | indulgence; their flavour to some can seem too good |
| provide you with some of the most important nutrients | | | | to be true (me included). Well, indulge, because the |
| to sustain you during your diet: | | | | strawberry is a great health food too, with some |
| Tomatoes | | | | nutrients you may not have anticipated. Strawberries |
| I find tomatoes one of the most versatile and useful | | | | contain Vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, folic acid, |
| foods for cooking, and can be used to add interest to | | | | potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, |
| all sorts of meals, such as curries, casseroles and | | | | magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. |
| soups. Tomatoes go well with lean meats, or mixed | | | | Strawberries are best fresh and eaten on their own. |
| with other vegetables, when used for cooking. They | | | | (Please read carefully. I did not say strawberries should |
| are also delicious raw, if you can find good tomatoes | | | | be eaten laced in sugar with a dollop of clotted cream.) |
| rather than the insipidly flavoured tomatoes you may | | | | Spinach |
| find in the supermarket. | | | | Many may turn their noses up at the mention of |
| Tomatoes also happen to be one of the most valuable | | | | spinach; I know I did as a child. However, once you |
| health foods, rich in lycopene, plus vitamins A and C. | | | | discover its true flavour, spinach does make an |
| Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, which is why much | | | | excellent food as a side vegetable, in a soup or in a |
| scientific attention has been paid to tomatoes in recent | | | | curry. All the old stories about the goodness of spinach |
| years. Lycopene's ability to neutralize free radicals that | | | | were true, as it contains Vitamin C, iron, beta carotene |
| cause cell damage has been the centre of attention, | | | | and calcium., plus vitamins E and K, fibre, lutein and |
| due to the possible potential in cancer prevention. | | | | zeaxanthin (carotenoids). |
| Tomatoes also have one other special asset. That is, | | | | Those are just a few ideas for healthy foods, rich in |
| that the nutrients are not destroyed during cooking, and | | | | nutrients, that can add flavour and interest to your diet, |
| even processed tomato products such as tomato | | | | as you set out to make a permanent lifestyle change |
| sauce or ketchup, and canned tomatoes, retain the | | | | to lose weight. |