Antioxidant Diet

In ancient times, terracotta pots were used for cooking. These pots were immersed in the water to make them moist. It prevented the use of excessive oil while cooking. Another benefit was that the food cooked in these pots was kept moist and the nutrients preserved for a longer time with excellent flavor. This is a super healthy antioxidant technique of cooking.

Antioxidant rich foods, fruits and liquids are gaining popularity. Acai berry drinks, juices and liquid concentrates made of different berries are being sold in the markets under various brands. These are said to contain excellent antioxidant properties. So why do we need antioxidants in our body?

In order to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals, eliminate the risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac diseases, sleep disorders, stress and fatigue, we require to consume more antioxidant products everyday. These antioxidants help to increase the energy levels in our body. The antioxidants help to eliminate fatigue and exhaustion and also induce better sleep.

Apart from a rich antioxidant diet, we can also have good antioxidant methods of cooking. The first step would be to minimize the use of the microwaves. Though it may seem easy to heat and reheat food in the microwave, we do not realize that we reduce more and more nutrients in the process. Instead of the microwave, use the slow cookers, pressure cookers, steel or enamel cookware, baking pans and clay pots for cooking.

It has been discovered that a few vegetables are able to sustain the essential nutrients despite of how they are cooked. Using a pressure cooker, steaming vegetables and stir fry instead of using lot of oil can help to keep the vegetables antioxidant rich for long. Carrots, beans, beetroots, garlic tend to protect their nutrients despite being cooked. Add more seasonal vegetables and fruits to your diet to get more nutrient density.

If you must use a microwave, try to use clay pots and clay dishes. These can be bought from any cookware stores or even ordered online. Romertopf is a popular clay pot brand, but you can also find many different brands that sell the clay pots. A careful search can provide the best price range and you can accordingly make the best choice. Using clay pots in the microwave can help to protect the nutrients in the food when it is being reheated.

Having a balanced antioxidant diet can help to keep the body fit by eliminating the unwanted calories and fats, cleanses the toxins and results in a glowing skin, healthy hair and a better looking you.