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