Who doesn’t love good old traditional Christmas dinner? Christmas in general is a very festive season and the food makes it more extravagant. However, it’s a fact that most of us lose our calorie count during this time of the year. Now, there is nothing to worry about. What if I say you can eat all the Christmas food and still keep your calorie count in check? There are a few foods known to be as the super foods. They are called super foods owing to their high nutritional value and the fact that contain powerful antioxidants that can help you reduce your chances of getting cancer and other fatal conditions. So why not enjoy Christmas with these super foods that are not just nutritional but healthy too.
1. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene, antioxidants, and fiber. They’re fat-free, relatively low in sodium and have fewer calories than white potatoes — although they do have more sugar. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.
2. Cranberries
Cranberries are a great source of cold preventing vitamin C and fiber. A cup of cranberries contains only 45 calories. Cranberries outrank almost all other fruits and vegetables except blueberries as disease-fighting antioxidants. Spike you December diet with semi-dried cranberries in your breakfast cereals, muffins, cupcakes, cookies or just make some fresh cranberry juice. you can also make your own cranberry sauce by boiling fresh cranberries with a little sugar, fresh orange juice and some freshly grated ginger.
3. Turkey
Turkey thigh and breast are a rich source of vitamins and minerals such as niacin (maintains a healthy nervous system), Vitamin B6 for efficient blood cell formation, phosphorous for strong bones and teeth. Turkey also contains the trace element Selenium, which helps in developing a healthy immune system. A 100g portion of turkey breast contains over half an adult’s recommended daily intake of niacin and nearly half the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6. Turkey is also low in fat so it’s all the more a perfect Christmas dinner.
4. Satsumas, Clementines And Tangerines
Vitamin C is water soluble therefore it can’t be stored in the body. However a satsuma, clementine or tangerine eaten morning and afternoon will provide good amounts of vitamin C for your body. Vitamin C helps in immune boosting, disease zapping, bug busting, and skin enhancing. The orange family also contains a compound called hesperidin. It has been proven that hesperidin lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. However, most of this phytonutrient is found in the peel and inner white pulp of the orange so make sure you eat the whole fruit rather than just drinking the juice.
5. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in fiber and is full of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is good for the eyes and helps prevent some types of cancer and atherosclerosis. Pumpkin also contains vitamin C and potassium. Potassium helps to counteract the effects of sodium in patients with high blood pressure.
6. Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
In general, 100 percent whole wheat breads have more fiber than white bread or other breads made with wheat flour. Fiber can decrease the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer and it helps you maintain regular bowel movements.
7. Brussel Sprouts
This is one of the best and healthiest Christmas super foods. Brussel Sprouts are not only a source of glucosinolates (an extremely powerful cancer preventing nutrient) but they also contain a type of fiber that evades excess cholesterol enabling your body to excrete it from your system. Furthermore, they are a great source of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E which keep your immune system strong and your wrinkles at bay and they even contain some essential fatty acids. In fact, just 100 calories’ worth of Brussels sprouts provides over 400 milligrams of the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is more than one-third of the daily recommended amount.
