10 “Food Rules” to Stay Youthful and Fight Aging

By  Carolyn Hansen

One of the most important things you can do for your health is to keep yourself from becoming toxic. The best way to keep your system clean and non-toxic is through food and physical activity.

If your current diet consists of a high percentage of processed, refined foods, over time this is going to rob you of your health. It is imperative that you get to work changing the ratio and swapping out this non-nutrient food and replacing it with real food…food that is alive and filled with precious vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

The best way to build health, lose weight and support your exercise program is to eat as much as you need…but you need to be eating the right foods. Foods that boost your energy, help you stay as young as possible and reduce your risk for disease or other health related issues

Eating this way lowers your blood glucose levels and your health improves whereas nutrient poor, high calorie processed foods have the opposite effect. They increase blood glucose levels, cause you to overeat which turns into excess weight in the end. As if that is not enough, they set the stage for disease to take hold.

Consuming the “right” foods…foods in their natural (minimally processed) state is eating “clean”. It means stepping away from fast food and sticking to the produce aisles in the grocery store.

Here are some basic rules to use food as your weapon to stay strong and fight aging:

• Stick with the basics. A lifestyle that is clean and non-toxic starts with clean natural food. This mean avoiding all processed foods. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients why would you want them in your body?
• Keep your metabolism alkaline. Disease thrives in an acidic bloodstream. Clean food that includes lots of vegetables and some fruit helps keep the pH level of your blood in the alkaline range.
• Cook your food properly to retain as many nutrients as possible. Foods that have become toxic from high heat and have had their nutrients destroyed by the microwave are no use to your body or your health. Keep cooking temperatures as low as possible and avoid using a microwave whenever possible.
• Eat raw foods whenever you can. Raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, coconut and fruit are more beneficial than their cooked counterparts.
• Eat organic. You can’t be sure what has been sprayed on your food. Herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and other dangerous chemicals can turn us toxic and create acidity in the bloodstream. Eating for health and longevity means consuming clean and natural food.
• Eat local. Food that is close to its source has traveled the least amount of distance and will retain more health building nutrients and anti-oxidants.
• Consume organic and free range grass fed meat whenever possible. Non-organic meat can contain dangerous and toxic chemicals as well as the animals that may have been farmed in a non-humane “cruel” way that is simply not acceptable to the majority of us.
• Boost your antioxidants. Your immune system keeps you healthy by identifying and fighting off unwanted invaders in your system…everything from colds and flu to stray cancer cells. Antioxidants are powerful vitamins that protect your health and help the cells in your body function optimally. Vegetables and fruits are the best sources of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium.
• Eat a wide range of brightly colored vegetables which are rich in phytochemicals a potent disease-fighting and immune-boosting nutrient. The greater the variety of colors that you include the more you will benefit since different colors offer different phytochemicals.
• Flavor foods with immune-boosting spices and foods. Garlic, ginger, and curry powder not only add flavor but they add a punch of valuable nutrients too. Turmeric, basil, rosemary and coriander are all good choices to add to soups, salads, casseroles or any other dish.

All the steps above will keep you on the right tract to health and warding off premature aging and disease.

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