4 Tasty Metabolism & Energy Boosting Foods

When it comes to boosting your metabolism and energy levels, there are a handful of foods that you should be eating on a daily basis that help you look and perform better along with giving you more energy and a speedier metabolism for faster weight loss.

The following foods are rich in energy boosting nutrients and contain antioxidants that help speed up workout recovery and fight off and prevent illness and disease.

If you are suffering from low energy levels and have a slow metabolism, start eating these foods on a daily basis to get the most benefit from them. You do not have to eat all of these foods every day, but eating most of them daily is the best way to go.

So without further ado, here are four outstanding and tasty foods to eat often for more energy and a higher metabolism.

1. Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are all awesome fruits that boost your metabolism and energy levels. You see, most fruits are high in natural sugars which can slow down and prevent fat loss.

However, unlike most fruits, berries are very low in natural sugar which makes them perfect to eat anytime. Berries are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and plant nutrients called phytonutrients, which help increase energy levels by improving your cellular health.

To get the most health benefits from berries, eat a fruit bowl consisting of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries several times a week. This combo packs a powerful antioxidant punch which strengthens your immune system and helps speed up your metabolism and increases your energy levels.

Mixing berries into low-fat or no-fat Greek yogurt makes for a tasty snack or breakfast. Always put fresh berries into your yogurt instead of buying yogurt that already has fruit in it.

Flavored yogurt or yogurt with fruit contains far too much adder sugar and too little fruit, which means you will not get the energy and health benefits that you get from eating fresh berries.

As berries absorb a lot of pesticides, I highly recommend that you spend an extra dollar or two and go with organic berries as they do not contain any harmful pesticides.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are my go to food for boosting energy levels anytime of day. Walnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E, fiber and ALA, an omega-3 fat essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. They are also very low in carbohydrates which means you can snack on them at any time of day.

Although Walnuts are high in fat, the fat is mostly from monounsaturated fat, which is a good fat that does not damage your arteries or cause inflammation, which is the leading cause of heart disease.

For best results, snack on a small handful of Walnuts in between meals, 60-90 minutes before bed, or anytime you need an energy boost. Walnuts make a good pair with fresh fruit and dried fruit, just be sure to limit your fruit intake as most foods are high in natural sugar which can interfere with weight loss.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes far superior to white potatoes when it comes to nutrients and fiber. Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse as they are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fiber and several other important nutrients.

Most people tend to prefer the taste of sweet potatoes to regular potatoes as they are sweet and can be eaten with many different foods for both lunch and dinner.

Eat sweet potatoes with lean meats and fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, spinach and other raw veggies several times a week.

The complex carbohydrates in sweet potatoes give you sustained energy without the crash you would get from other foods high in carbohydrates, especially sugar.

4. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a true Superfood and has countless health benefits along with boosting your metabolism and energy levels so you can power through your workouts.

Coconut oil contains a high amount of unique fats called medium chain triglycerides. These fats are considered fat burning fats and can speed up the burning of body fat quite considerably.

Coconut oil can be used for cooking, as a sauce or dressing, and in smoothies and shakes. For a tasty and quick energy-boosting snack, I like to spread one tablespoon of coconut oil on a whole grain rice cake, then spread almond butter over it and top it with the raspberries or blueberries and sprinkle it with cinnamon.

This absolutely delicious snack contains healthy fats and antioxidants along with fiber and plant nutrients which increase energy during workouts and protect the immune system from exercise induced stress.

Coconut oil can be eaten and consumed in many different ways and with many different foods, don't be afraid to experiment and find the best way for you to eat coconut oil.

There you have it, incorporate the above four foods into your diet on a weekly basis and you will notice a nice increase in energy along with a higher metabolism, leading to better workouts and better results.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Frozen Can Be Fresher Than Fresh - Great Tips For Getting Your 'Five A Day'

This morning I was talking to a client about getting more fruit and vegetables into their diet. We agreed that one problem is that fresh food goes off so quickly. Even when you buy plenty of fresh produce all your good intentions can be wasted if it's all gone off by the time to get round to eating it.

I then came home from the session and started making my breakfast. I went to the freezer and got out the blueberries and the raspberries, defrosted them in the microwave and mixed them with my yogurt and muesli.... perfect! At least one of my five a day eaten with breakfast with no worries of gone off fruit.

Frozen fruit and vegetables offer us an incredible opportunity to get a good range of fruit and vegetables into our diets. Frozen fruit and vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak quality meaning many of the minerals and nutrients are preserved better than when they come from the supermarket shelf.

We can also get an amazing variety of frozen products. Fruits as diverse as blackberries, raspberries, apples, blueberries, mango and mixed summer fruits. Vegetables ranging from peas, beans, spinach, carrots, peppers as well as stir fry and casserole mixes. You can even find herbs and spices down the freezer isle. We can eat fruit and vegetables that aren't currently in season without worrying how many air-miles they have travelled from the field to our plate. This also means that we can get a great range of colours onto our plates - which means a great range of vitamins and minerals.

Did you know that 20,000 kg of peas can be frozen in just one hour? Meaning that farms can work round the clock through the 6-8 weeks of the pea harvest with very little waste.

It can take up to 14 days for fresh fruit and vegetables to reach the shop floor once they have been harvested, transported, sorted and transported again to their point of sale. All this means that valuable minerals and nutrients are lost.

Another benefit for the busy cook is that frozen fruit and vegetables require little or no preparation. You can also use as much or as little as you want, putting the bag back in the freezer for next time, which means very little is wasted.

I wouldn't advocate a diet based solely around frozen produce - I am a big fan of eating fresh food that is in season - but at the same time don't forget the freezer in your efforts to consume your "five a day". Frozen can sometimes actually be fresher than fresh!

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Healthy Eating - Snacks For The Whole Family

Anytime you change the way you eat it will take some encouragement and some preparation but you will find success by having a partner to got through the process with you. When you involve your entire household in the new healthy eating plan you are twice as likely to stick with it and have great progress. For healthy eating snacks for the whole family you can all enjoy the new diet and be getting healthier by the day together.

Snacks that the whole family will enjoy could be in many variations. You must think creatively and plan to prepare snacks for the entire day and not just limit them to one portion of the day or for one special event. 

Create fun snacks that are easy for little ones to eat such as finger snacks like vegetables cut up like celery or carrots with a fun dipping sauce for the kids to enjoy. The whole family will enjoy apples cut up with all natural, organic peanut butter to dip the slices into. 

Baked potatoes are also good snacks that you can slice up and place cheese on top of that is low fat or non fat cheese and even vegetables on top as well. 

Organic yogurts are always nutritious and kids and adults alike enjoy eating them when they are combined with chopped up fruits inside. This creates a healthy snack that is tasty and it fills you up for quite some time.

Soups that are made fresh at home are also enjoyed throughout the winter or just on a rainy day when the kids may really be seeking an activity to engage in such as helping create the soups. 

Just about every child enjoys Popsicles, and they should not be left out of the healthy snack plan for the entire family. You can create your own fruit pops in the freezer with a few Popsicle sticks and blending up your family's favorite fruits. You simply pour the mixture into the freezing trays and allow them to mold and in a few hours you have created an all natural healthy snack for everyone to enjoy on a hot summer day. 

Get your family involved in deciding which snacks they may be willing to try and with all of the input you can receive from everyone you can create a fun family menu for the entire week together! Allow the kids to help with creating all the snacks they would like to take with them for school lunches and for any sporting events and practices as well.

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Top 10 Health Benefits Of Goji Berries

Have you ever wondered how these little red berries can change your life? Well, goji berries are one of the most nutritionally rich foods on the planet. They are grown on a vine-like bush only in the shade. Goji berries differ in colors from pale yellow, sun-fire orange and deep red. The two main types of goji berries are Asian and American. The only difference between them is their history. The Asian goji berries have been grown for thousands of years by Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetans, whereas the American goji berries originated from the South-West dessert of the United States which was used for survival when no water was found. 

There are many benefits of goji berries. Here are some of them:

1. Longevity and Healthy Hormones. According to researches, the seventy year old person produces only one-tenth of the amount of the Human Growth Hormone generated by the twenty year old person. This causes the body to have lower energy levels and wastage. To feel, look and function like a youthful person, you need to boost the natural production of the growth hormone. This superfood has been identified as "the longevity fruit" which is filled with a variety of nutrients. These nutrients will help you to live a longer and healthier life. Goji berries help your body to achieve this in three ways:

• They are high in sesquiterpenoids which are filled with anti-inflammatory properties.
• They stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands which increase the glandular production of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
• They are rich in l-arginine and l-glutamine which works together to boost the HGH to revitalize your appearance and metabolism.

2. Enhancing Libido and Sexual Function. Goji berries are known for strong sexual tonic in Asia. Goji berries improve your stamina levels, mood and wellbeing, while decreasing the impact of stress on your body. These benefits lead to a much healthier life. Goji berries will help your HGH production and raise the testosterone levels to ensure healthier sex life.

3. Improving Vision. Goji berries contain the highest concentration of eyesight improving antioxidants, namely zeaxanthin and lutein. Zeaxanthin and lutein protect the eyes from the damage of the free radicals that attacks your eyes every day. They also heal the membranes of your eyes keeping them youthful and healthy. These two key antioxidants are concentrated at the center of the retina and protect your eyes from the following diseases:

• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Loss of sight
• Eye aging problems.

4. Antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your DNA from the damage of free radicals and radiation. If your DNA is damaged, it's easier for every imaginable illness to enter your body, as well as increase the aging process. Your body is equipped to repair itself, but if your body gets faced with too many free radicals, it becomes overwhelmed and the result is the premature death of healthy cells. This can be the cause of a variety of diseases, such as a cancer. The goji berry is filled with carotenoid antioxidants which are natural sources of fat soluble antioxidant pigments.

5. Immune System Booster. Goji berries are rich in Vitamin C and Zinc. Both of these vitamins protect the body against diseases and help in recovery. They also protect the cells in your body and boost your immune system through these three main components:

• Polysaccharides which protect the cells from generic mutation.
• Beta-carotene which enhances the thymus gland function and increases the stimulation action on your immune system to prevent any viral infection.
• Mineral germanium which fights off any cancer properties, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer and uterine cancer.

6. Hydration. Proper hydration is a very important aspect for your overall health. If your body isn't hydrated you become dehydrated and your body doesn't have enough water to absorb to function normally. You lose water when you breathe, when you go to the bathroom and through your sweat. You don't have to drink water only. You can consume this superfood for hydration as well. This fresh superfood grows in rich, alkaline alluvial soils which contain a big amount of hydrogen needed for hydration.

7. Supporting Brain and Neurological Health. Goji berries help our bodies with the production of choline. The choline is an essential nutrient that fights off free radical damage, narrows the arteries that delivers oxygen to the brain cells which can cause Alzheimer's disease and neurological degeneration.

8. Supporting Cardiovascular Health. Goji berry holds the key to fight off the main cause of most heart diseases, mainly oxidized cholesterol. Cholesterol becomes more dangerous when it is oxidized as a result of free radicals. This is when the blood fats clench to the artery walls with calcium forming nanobacteria to form plagues. An enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) acts as a defense mechanism against cholesterol and may prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. Goji berries can increase your SOD to decrease your cholesterol levels.

9. Keeping Vital Organs Healthy. They keep our vital organs healthy through balancing blood sugar levels and increasing the digestive system, skin and liver function. They're also filled with phytonutrients which enhance the ability to detoxify and guard the liver against any damage from carcinogens and hepatitis virus. These phytonutrients include betaine, polysaccharides and antioxidant pigments. The liver gets cleaned by betaine. This reduces the toxic amino acids in the cardiovascular system. Goji berry tea can be used for the treatment of diabetes and all types of digestive problems, as well as the recovery of ulcers and a spastic colon. Goji berries also contain fatty acids which can stimulate collagen production to ensure moisture resulting in a youthful skin.

10. Improving Sleep. Goji berries contain Thiamine and Magnesium - two main nutrients needed for a healthy sleep. Thiamin improves your mood and energy levels, while magnesium improves the quality of sleep by shortening the time it takes to fall asleep.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Your Vegan Breakfast - Easy Ideas And Recipes To Kick-Start Your Morning

To all you vegans out there - be aware that there are many tasty, healthy and easy vegan breakfast recipes that you can prepare in no time and enjoy nutritious meal at the start of the day.

Easy & Healthy Vegan Breakfasts Ideas & Recipes:

Fresh Juice - If you have a juicer, be aware that making a vegetable and fruit juice for your breakfast is fast, easy and super healthy. You can juice celery, beetroot, carrots, apples, ginger, parsley, or any other fruit or vegetable of your fancy.

Vegan Smoothie - This is another easy and healthy vegan breakfast drink, however, you do need a blender.

For a chocolate banana smoothie, blend together 1 Cup rice/soy milk, 1 Tbsp. cacao powder, 1 very ripe banana, 2-3 Tbsp. soy yogurt, a drizzle of agave nectar and a pinch of sea salt. Add more milk if the smoothie is too thick for your liking.

For a berry smoothie, blend together 1 Cup rice/soy milk, 3-4 Tbsp. soy yogurt, ½ Cup frozen or fresh berries, a pinch of sea salt, and some ice-cubes.

To create your own vegan smoothie, blend together your choice of the following: soy/rice/coconut milk, soy/coconut yogurt, dates, raisins, sultanas, goji berries, crushed nuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, linseeds, maple syrup, agave nectar, sea salt, peanut butter, bananas, grated vegan chocolate, cacao powder, molasses, berries, and some ice-cubes.

Fruit Galore!
You can enjoy your fruit in so many wonderful ways, and if not in a juice or smoothie - some other delightful way!

Seasonal Fruit Salad - You can eat a large bowl of fresh, seasonal fruit by itself for a wonderful, fresh and easy vegan breakfast! Or you can fancy it up a bit with soy yogurt, chopped walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia nuts or almonds, and a drizzle of maple syrup or agave nectar! Your taste buds can really be treated with a gourmet fruit salad!

Fried bananas - Heat a couple of Tbsp's. Of olive oil in a frying pan and add some sliced bananas (sliced length-ways), along with a good drizzle of maple syrup or agave nectar. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side. Serve warm on top of toast, with some crushed walnuts and an extra drizzle of maple syrup!

Vegan Cereal - The supermarkets and health food stores offer a wide range of vegan cereals nowadays, so you should try as many as you can and find your favorites! Enjoy your cereal with rice or soy milk and a dollop of yogurt. To make your bowl of cereal healthier, more sustaining and more delicious, add your choice of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds, chia seeds, nuts, goji berries, raisins, sultanas or chopped dates! This will turn an ordinary bowl of cereal into a sustaining, healthy (and still easy!) vegan breakfast!

Toast - Many vegans find that they are stuck in a rut when it comes to their morning toast. But be aware that there are tons of toppings to enjoy! You are probably frequently eating your toast with vegan spread and jam. Try the following toppings also:
- Sliced avocado, sea salt and pepper
- Sliced tomato, sea salt, pepper, vegan cheese (put in the grill or jaffle maker to melt cheese)
- Vegan chocolate spread (from health shop)
- Brazil nut spread, almond spread, cashew spread, peanut butter with a drizzle of maple syrup or agave nectar
- Sliced banana, vegan chocolate spread, peanut butter (all three together = to die for! If you want you can put a slice of bread on top to make a sandwich, and toast it. The banana will cook and your chocolate spread will melt into a pool of taste-bud heaven!)

As you can see, if you let your imagination go wild there are an infinite variety of delicious, healthy and easy vegan breakfast recipes and ideas! Your morning never has to start off boring again! If you are still stuck on ideas, you can find a wide range of vegan recipes online, either on websites, blogs, you-tube, or professional vegan recipe e-books containing tons of yummy recipes!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The Best Vegetables For Weight Loss And Fat Burning

When looking up more info on the best vegetables for weight loss, most people want a list of the healthiest veggies to get slim. If you wish to get trim and lean, you must lower your calorie intake and this is easily done with the top vegetables for losing weight. It is now widely known that low calorie meals decrease the levels of stored body fat so this becomes a highly effective approach in reducing your excess weight.

Earlier research also presented facts that plant-based food items such as leafy vegetables help to manage being hungry and also over-eating.

Leafy vegetables are likely to be high in h2o and also fiber. They possess a low-calorie content which makes their ingestion a highly effective tactic in diet planning and even more so when combined with virtually any weight loss pill or other dietary supplement.

The idea not only boosts the results of trimming down, but additionally improves digestion of food and also metabolic process.

Consuming more leafy vegetables is important for individual wellness. Yet what are the very best green leafy vegetables for weight loss? One can possibly like a wide variety of green leafy vegetables to select from. Many health professionals, in reality, advise including leafy vegetables to your meals and dishes for losing weight quickly and easily. They often recommend seven or more servings of leafy vegetables per day for excellent final results.

Even so, a list of the very best leafy vegetables for losing weight for some people is probably not of interest. There are some folks who don't like to eat the most nutritious leafy vegetables and some even gag at the thought. You can even find circumstances involving allergy symptoms as the body behaves to particular leafy vegetables therefore it is better to look for advice first. The most healthy leafy vegetables for you incorporate broccoli, spinach, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kale.

The apple is well known to be fiber rich and contains pectin. Pectin stops against taking in fat excess and also inhibits hunger. It has high water content that is very helpful in eliminating toxins. Celery ought to be ingested with skin unchanged as it gives plenty of fiber. On one hand, grapefruits may also be effective to shed weight. Based on recent reports, leafy vegetables consist of substances that reduced blood insulin stage by the body processes. It is just a metabolic process increases, thereby, it plays a part in weight reduction and burning body fat faster.

Collard greens, likewise, could be included on the list of very best leafy vegetables for losing weight. They really are packed with potassium that assists boosting levels of nourishment intake. It really is mostly h2o and vitamins and it has many health benefits for you.

On another similar note, one of the very best fruits for losing weight could be the kiwi fruit. It is just a low-calorie tasty fruit which is high in fiber. It includes equally disolveable fibers which inhibits your appetite and also insoluble fibers which helps with digestion of food. Melons are incredibly low-calorie food items which contain mostly h2o and also fiber. Berries including raspberries, blackberries and blueberries also speed up weight loss. These types of foods provide power and also burn up fat rapidly. Berries consist of fiber, low-calorie but high nutrient content and also antioxidants.

Acai berries, said as "an amazing diet plan key from the Amazon", could be the newest discovery which can help with weight loss. It really is composed of antioxidants, phytosterols, essential fatty acids, and also amino acids that really work with each other to get rid of fat efficiently and also helps to make meals less complicated.

Other leafy vegetables including cabbage, turnip greens and also spinach may also be regarded as very best leafy vegetables for losing weight. In addition, it's encouraged to step away from canned vegetables because these are generally packed with salt and are lower in nutrients. Dried up leafy vegetables get higher nutrient concentrations considering that their h2o compound is already taken out.

The top leafy vegetables for you are generally organic. Always use leafy green vegetables for greater final results as previously mentioned. Complement this specific tip with ongoing workouts and quick weight loss results will most certainly be reached. Consuming the best leafy green vegetables for weight loss will allow you to trim down whilst fat deposits burn off quickly.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

10 Fascinating Health Benefits Of Strawberries

Strawberries are officially a superfood! They taste great, are versatile cooking ingredients, are available all year around, and the nutrition they offer is through the roof. Eating strawberries regularly has been shown to provide a variety of health benefits.

Any good nutrition regime is going to include high amounts of antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, flavonoids, phytochemicals, and ellagic acid. Strawberries have all this, plus they are also rich in folate, iodine, potassium, and magnesium. This rich variety of healthy components is what makes strawberries such a great superfood. Here are just 10 of the health benefits strawberries provide:

1. Boost your Immune System - a strong immune system helps you fight off infections and disease, both large and small.

2. Fight Cancer - a lot of different cancers. The high levels of ellagic acid are especially helpful here since it can render cancer causing molecules ineffective. Studies have shown that strawberries' abilities to fight free radicals and work against potentially cancerous cells can fight breast, esophagus, pancreas, prostate, colon, and skin cancer.

3. Maintain Good Eyesight - the antioxidants and potassium can both fight macular degeneration in different ways. The elimination of free radicals helps prevent cataracts and degeneration of the optical nerve, preserving your eyesight. The potassium helps maintain the right amount of pressure on your eyes so you don't experience ocular disturbance.

4. Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - strawberries fight against the free radicals that attack brain tissue as you age, keeping your brain younger, which can slowdown or even avoid, the progression of Alzheimer's. The iodine also works to promote strong brain function.

5. Fight Wrinkles - this may mean more for your mental health than your physical health, but it's still worthwhile. Strawberries help your skin build collagen (the component that keeps your skin firm), which usually starts to decline with age.

6. Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory - strawberries power to prevent inflammation is another way they keep your skin looking young. However, this health benefit also helps prevent joint ache and arthritis.

7. Great Source of Fiber - no one wants waste to accumulate in their intestines, but it's hard to eat enough fiber to keep things moving along. Strawberries are a rich source of fiber that can keep your intestines clean and help slowdown your blood's absorption of sugar.

8. Fight Heart Disease - strawberries do this by reducing the bad type of cholesterol that can lead to plaque build up on your heart. The Vitamin B nutrients in strawberries make your heart muscles stronger.

9. Regulate Your Blood Pressure - The magnesium and potassium in strawberries counteracts many of the effects of too much salt that could otherwise result in high blood pressure. This is another way strawberries also help prevent coronary disease.

10. Healthy Babies - the folate in strawberries can prevent birth defects. Ingesting high amounts of folate during pregnancy can help with the healthy development of your baby's spinal cord, skull, and brain. The earlier in your pregnancy you start eating the strawberries, the better it will be.

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What Makes 'Organic Food' Organic And Clean?

As more and more people wanted to eat food that was free of chemicals and unnatural processes, they began growing their own crops without the use of harmful chemicals. Smaller farmers also began to revolt against factory farming and they returned to old school farming methods. Then those farmers were able to offer us the alternative to industrially grown produce.

This food began to be called organic because the term implies that everything was produced using only living matter, like plants and animals instead of chemicals.

Pretty soon the big guys could see the attraction that was growing in the market place. They began to adopt the labels and slap them onto the same stuff they were already growing. False advertising? Pretending? Just think of all the "green" products you see in the supermarket.

So the term, organic, had to be regulated somewhat. Finally, standards are set now, and farmers have to meet those standards before they can call their food "organic." The standards are exactly what you think they'd be (who knew the government could do something straight-forward?).

Organic farmers are not allowed to use bioengineered genes (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge-based fertilizer, or petroleum-based fertilizers. Organic livestock need to be fed organic feed and they also need to be able to go outdoors and roam in minimum space.

Fortunately, the guidelines prohibit growth hormones, antibiotics, and animal-by-products as well. Of course there are marketing cheats aiming to fool us with false claims so we need to be on our toes. If it says anything but "Organic" or "Certified Naturally Grown" they're probably hiding something.

If you're not familiar, "Certified Naturally Grown" is an alternative to organic which is controlled by a non-profit organization. They're held to the same standards as "Organic" but they're inspected by other farmers instead of the government. It is not the same as a food simply saying it's "natural" so be careful, they like to trick us.

Affects of Pesticides On Your Body

The whole reason we want organic food is to protect our health; non-organic foods can have some serious health implications. Studies have revealed that pesticides show up in our bodies from eating non-organic food, and often at levels several times higher than is "safe."

Many of these chemicals have been linked to serious health issues like birth defects, infertility, and cancer in both adults and children.

Are you pregnant, or planning to be anytime soon?

Pregnant women can be extremely vulnerable to pesticides because they increase the stress on an already over-stressed body. Even worse, the chemicals can even be transmitted from you to your child, whether still in the womb or through breast-feeding later.

Some tests of children have revealed the presence of nerve-damaging chemicals at 4 times what is officially deemed as "safe" levels. Those chemicals are deliberately designed to kill insects by targeting their nervous system.

Frankly, it seems too obvious to me that those same chemicals will damage our nervous systems exactly the same way they kill the insects. Yes, pesticides come in doses much too low to kill us, but even an only slightly unhealthy diet will catch up to you after years of maintaining it. Another part of that same study revealed significantly high amounts of organochlorine pesticides in women. You might ask, "What's so special about that?"

Well, organochlorine pesticides can be passed down to your child during pregnancy. If that happens, it causes a disruption in vital brain development - leading to learning disabilities and other neurological problems. None of us want that happening to our children. Processed foods are a danger but not the only one. Contaminated food comes out the farm gate on the way to the factory before processing, so we need to be careful where we get our "clean" foods from.

What Foods Are Best To Eat Organic

Ideally, if it was once alive, whether plant or animal, then we want it to be organic. You've probably heard of organic animals, right? That's because animals aren't spared the treatment we get; farmers feed them the same crap they feed us. They use crops in their feed filled with pesticides, but they also include growth hormones and keep the animals locked up indoors 24/7. It's cheaper.

Organic animals are pesticide and hormone-free so you don't need to worry about putting those harmful chemicals in you or your family's bodies. Organic is expensive, though. We can't always afford to spend extra on the better quality stuff, so are there some guidelines we can use to put our money in the best spot?

Yes, there's a list of the "Deadly 14? foods that should always be bought organic. The Environmental Working Group studied data from 9 years of research and told us the 14 foods which tested the highest for pesticides:

* Apples

* Grapes

* Strawberries

* Peaches

* Spinach

* Celery

* Cherry tomatoes

* Potatoes

* Imported snap peas

* Imported nectarines

* Cucumbers

* Sweet bell peppers

* Hot peppers

Do you like blueberries? A lot of us do, but did you know that if you buy domestically grown blueberries they can have organophosphate insecticides? Organophosphates are a common nerve agent used for chemical weapons. It's used to kill us humans, not just insects.

Even low levels of exposure inhibits brain development, often resulting in not only slower learning and reduced physical coordination for our children, but ADHD too. If you've got a growing family, you may want to think twice about buying non-organic blueberries...or anything else.

These organophosphates aren't unique to blueberries, everything else on that list above can also be sprayed with these deadly chemicals But, I know we don't always have the money to spend extra on organic foods, some of us have a tight budget to keep. That's why I've got another list for you.

This one has the foods that tested the lowest for chemicals:

* Onions

* Pineapple

* Corn

* Avocado

* Asparagus

* Mango

* Kiwi

* Sweet peas

* Cabbage

* Papaya

* Eggplant

* Winter squash

* Bananas

* Cauliflower

* Broccoli

* Melons

You may have noticed that most of them have a skin we peel or cut off before eating. At least, most of us normal people do. The chemicals tend to not make it all the way through the skin into the good part we eat, so we get food less tainted by chemicals. Good ol' nature protecting itself from us.

The other foods, like broccoli, are just unappetizing to pests so they're not sprayed as much. If only they'd leave our other food alone too. Although organic food is not any more nutritional than mass produced foods, it is a great fit for a clean eating diet simply because it is free of chemical pesticides. And let's face it, your body must be better off without additives that are powerful killers of insects, don't you think?

Article Source: EzineArticles.com