Getting The Most Out of Antioxidant-rich Foods

It is not enough to just shop for and pick antioxidant-rich foods and eat them.  There are also some neglected areas in preparation and eating which factor in on how well you get the most out of the foods you eat.  Here are the other factors which you should consider in eating fruits and vegetables.

1.  Eat lots of vegetables regularly.

The best way to get the most antioxidants in your diet is to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables daily.  If you are too busy to prepare fresh salad greens every day, buy yourself a juicer and juice a vegetable at least 3 mornings each week.  And if you work in the office and have to eat out during lunchtime, order a salad as side dish.

2.  Be careful with fruits.

Do not over-indulge in fruits, even fresh ones, as they can be very high in sugar.  Tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple, are especially sweet and may cause a spike in your blood sugar and insulin levels.  It is better and safer to eat more vegetables than fruits.

3.  Catch a rainbow everyday.

There are many antioxidants and all of them lend powerful protective properties for health.  In order to get a variety of antioxidants, you need to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables.  Pick produce of an assortment of colors.  When preparing your meals, use at least 3 or 4 different colors of vegetables.

4.  Wash before you eat.

Before eating fruits and before using fresh vegetables for your salad greens, wash them first in running water to remove traces of pesticide residues.  This is especially important when you are buying non-organic produce.  Also take note of the 12 most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables which are apples, bell  peppers, celery, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach and strawberries.

5.  Chew right.

Learn and practice right chewing and eating in order to get the most antioxidants out of your meals.  It is important to chew your food well in order for full digestion to occur.  Foods, no matter how healthy, can just rot and produce toxins in the intestines if they are not sufficiently digested.  The rule is to chew your food until they become liquid or semi-liquid.

6.  Spice up.

Incorporate into your diet a variety of herbs and spices, fresh or dried, as these not only give a punch of flavors but are also densely-packed with antioxidants.  Half a teaspoon of cloves, for instance, gives more antioxidants than half a cup of cranberries.  And half a teaspoon of dried oregano contains the same amount of antioxidants as half a cup of sweet potatoes.