Top 10 New Health Foods of 2010

This is not rocket science, eating non-processed, simple foods will pay off. Your body is your temple and you need to take care of it. The food we consume has an effect on our DNA. Putting chemicals in your body will play havoc with your genes, switching good genes off, in turn; increasing your risk of disease. There are people who will tell you that they knew someone who lived a healthy lifestyle and still got cancer. That would be a good excuse not to change and continue to eat junk. The flip side is there are more people living longer not only because of medical advances but because of dietary changes. There is plenty of information from books, web sites to talk shows to give you information about the value of eating well. It is up to you to decide whether changing your diet is worth it.

I was getting addicted to boxed, canned and fast foods a couple of years ago and was getting sicker and fatter. It only took 2 weeks to feel my body changing and for me to connect that I needed to make changes. I changed my taste buds to change my brain chemistry to change my attitude about food. I no longer have restless leg syndrome, debilitating fatigue, no aches and pains, lost 35 pounds and keep my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms at bay. Is it easy? No. Do I eat like most folks? No. Is it sometimes awkward? Yes. My body is fed many anti-inflammatory, brain boosting foods and hopefully I have cut down my chances of getting some cancers, Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart diseases, fibromyalgia, arthritis, Parkinson's, Crohn's. Many of these modern diseases are a results of inflammation in the body caused by foods heavily processed with chemicals.
Changing your foods will change the spiral of hopelessness. Once you feel better you will be more active, positive and happier. The brain fog will lift.

I am not a believer in fat free, flavored enhanced foods because when the food industry takes out fat they typically add a flavor enhancer in a form of hidden MSG. The food industry is allowed to use other labels to disguise MSG.
Also having spent lots of money on supplements I do not believe most supplements, powdered drinks, power bars are the answer to maintaining a healthy body. Your body needs foods, foods that our ancestors ate. These are not new foods, only forgotten foods. We have allowed ourselves to believe that the food industry and Government are looking out for our best interests. This is a mistake. You have to think for yourself and believe in yourself to change how you eat.

There is no magic bullet, it takes work. Our society has become a fast food nation and we are paying the price. "I want it and I want it now" does not fit with a healthier lifestyle.
The list below are some of the top 10 super foods that I eat on a weekly basis.

1. Quinoa, an ancient grain dating back over five thousands years to the mighty Inca Civilization. Higher in protein than other grains, providing the essential amino acids. I do not eat any grain that contains gluten.

2. Avocado or also known as alligator pear because of the shape and rough skin. A rich source of Vitamin A, folate, potassium and fiber. Good source of monounsaturated fat. Very versatile to prepare.

3. Cold water fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines to provide a diet rich in omega 3, a healthy fat needed by the brain. Salmon is my first choice.

4. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries every day. High in Antioxidants which work by preventing cell damage caused by free radicals. High in bioflavonoids, plant pigments with antioxidants properties that prevent or retard tumor growth.

5. Nuts are a must to a healthier diet. I love to make almond and walnut butter to spread on a brown rice cake.

6. Green colored vegetables such as spinach, dark lettuce, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, turnip and Collard greens are part of my bone building regime. I want to include dandelion this year as a must green to eat.
I do not eat diary and have increased my Vitamin D level by close to 50% by eating fish, basking in the sun and eating greens. Our western diet is too acidity which causes the body to leach calcium away from the bones leaving us vulnerable to osteoporosis.

7. Green tea is one of my favorite hot or cold beverage. You can add frozen fruit in the summer with a squirt of agave.

8. An apple a day is part of my routine. High in fiber and quercetin, a powerful histamine inhibitor, helpful for hay fever and sinusitis. Pineapples, onions, tea and cranberries also are natural anti-histamines.

9. Agave, a sweet nectar extracted from the heart of the agave plant is used frequently in my kitchen. From marinades, salad dressing to baking, agave is slowly absorbed into one's body preventing spikes in blood sugar. Expensive but 25% sweeter than sugar so you need less.

10. Brown rice products are on my shelves. I eat brown rice cakes, eat hot brown rice cereal for breakfast with a fruit topping and use brown rice noodles instead of wheat based products.

These are only 10 foods that are part of my healthy routine. They are not new, only rediscovered and appreciated by my body to help heal from years of eating foods that cause inflammation.