Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Antioxidant Diet

All of us must have heard the word ‘antioxidants’ many times. But what exactly are they?
Antioxidants reduce the number of free radicals in the body. Free radicals destroy the healthy molecules in our body and also interfere with our immune system. It is due to these free radicals that our bodies start breaking down and we age.

What is an Antioxidant Diet?


We all are very well aware of the positive effects of a good and nutritional diet can have on our body. Diet helps to reduce or manage various conditions like diabetes, hypertension etc.
An antioxidant diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and polyphenols. The free radicals that are formed by the process of oxidation are defused by the antioxidant diet.

If taken on a regular basis as antioxidant rich diet can reduce the risks of heart diseases as well as cancer.


All brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Some of the antioxidants sources include tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, red cabbage, red bell peppers, oranges, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, kiwis etc.

You may take some hints from the below mentioned antioxidant diet plan.

Breakfast

½ cup oatmeal with ¼ cup raisins or
¾ cup vegetable juice of fruit juice or
¾ cup yogurt with ½ cup blueberries

Lunch

Non vegetarians can go for a chicken salad sandwich with ½ cup pineapple and red grapes.Vegetarians can opt for 1 cup spinach salad ;with ½ cup chopped mixed veggies.

Dinner

Non vegetarians can go for chicken or beef stir fry with 1 cup red bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms. Vegetarians should opt for spinach instead of lettuce. Stir chopped, spinach and crushed walnuts into steamed brown rice. Also take a bowl of fresh fruits.

No food supplement can give the same benefits as the food itself. So stop that pill intake and start munching.

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