From the Spring 2012 StayHealthy publication
While you may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single serving, so-called super foods may help you fight off disease, drop your cholesterol numbers, and boost your metabolism, according to Maria Stamp, MD, Family Medicine Practitioner with Lake Porter Primary Care. Stamp shared these insights:
Q: What are Superfoods?
"Superfood" generally refers to foods that are high in nutrients and include components that help prevent or reduce the risk for disease. They may even have benefits such as increasing your metabolism or improving your mood.
Q: Does eating a Superfood cancel out eating junk or foods we know aren't good for us?
It doesn't work that way. Foods that are high in fats and salt cause damage that isn't necessarily "undone" by a Superfood. The benefit comes in when we choose the Superfoods that are ultra nourishing instead of the junk foods.
Q: What are some Superfoods that I can find readily in my local stores?
You can find lots of these Superfoods at your store, the local farmers markets or even grow them in your own yard. Look for fruits and veggies that are deep orange or very green, such as oranges, pumpkins, broccoli, kale, and tomatoes. Yogurt is a Superfood source that packs both calcium and protein. Oats are also good- both the quick cook and long cook varieties, but watch the packaged instant oats, which often include dried creamers or added sugar. Green tea is thought to boost your metabolism, which is an idea we all like. Blueberries are also great and the local growing season is just around the corner.
Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600
Q: Can the way I prepare foods affect their nutritional benefits?
There is a lot of interest in raw foods, but the truth is that not all raw foods are better. For example, cooking tomatoes makes the nutrients more available to our bodies and actually increases the lycopene content- the ingredient thought to help prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer. Raw veggies and fruits offer higher fiber and it's thought that certain cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage are more healthful in their cancer-fighting benefits when eaten raw. But, if you like your veggies cooked and not raw, you're still eating veggies, which is good.
Q: At what ages are Superfoods most beneficial?
It's never too soon or too late to eat well. The sooner you can get kids interested in eating healthy, fresh food, the better. These foods are not curative, but adding them to your lifestyle could be preventive so start today.
Dr. Stamp is a member of the medical staff at Porter. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stamp, call 219.464.7430.