Food Choices To Help Improve Your Health

When I saw the foods that look like the body parts they are good for, the statement made by Hippocrates “let food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.” automatically came back to my memory.  Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining good health and it is very sad many people ignore what they eat as one of the culprits of disease or the catalyst to health and longevity. 

I thought this was rather amazing... foods that actually look like the body parts they are good for!!!

1)  Grapefruit – Breast

 
Grapefruit, oranges, and other citrus fruits resemble female mammary glands and help the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts!  According to Dr. Moulavi, “Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells.”

 

2)  Walnut – Brain

Walnuts have a striking resemblance to the human brain,  and have been recognized as one of the ultimate brain foods. Walnuts are a good source of omega-3, and have more antioxidants, folic acid (vitamin B9), and vitamin E than any other nut.  It is important to properly soak and rinse walnuts (as well as most other nuts) to remove phytates and activate enzymes for optimal nutrient absorption.

3)  Carrot – Eye

It is clear that a sliced carrot resembles an eye, it even has patterns of radiating lines that look just like the pupil and iris!  Beta-carotene (what gives carrots their vibrant orange colour) helps to maintain healthy eyesight, protects against macular degeneration, and the development of cataracts.

 

4)  Celery – Bone

A stalk of celery resembles a bone, and they’re good for bones too.  Celery contains silicon, which is part of what gives bones their strength.  Here’s an astonishing fact: bones are 23% sodium, and celery is also 23% sodium.

 

5)  Tomato – Heart

Tomatoes resemble the heart more than any other fruit,  and they are loaded with lycopene which has been referred to as heart and blood food.  The consumption of lycopene has been proven to help reduce the risk of heart disease.  Tomatoes are also a great source of Vitamin C which is crucial for heart health!

 

 

 

6)  Mushroom – Ear

A sliced mushroom has the shape and resemblance of a human ear,  and mushrooms are good for ear health!   They are a great source of vitamin D, which is essential for preventing hearing loss.  

 

 

 

 

7)  Avocado – Uterus

Avocados are shaped like the uterus and cervix, and avocados have been shown to balance hormones and prevent cervical cancer!  And guess what?  Just as it takes exactly 9 months for a baby to fully develop in the womb, it takes an avocado exactly 9 months to grow from a blossom into a ripened fruit!

 

 

8)  Ginger – Stomach

Ginger looks like the stomach and aids in digestion!  Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for stomach health.  Gingerol, the ingredient that gives ginger it’s strong scent and taste, is listed in the USDA database of phytochemicals as having the ability to prevent nausea and vomiting.

 

9)  Grapes – Lungs

Grapes, especially heirloom concord grapes, resemble the alveoli of the lungs.   The alveoli of the lungs allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the bloodstream.  A diet high in fresh grapes has shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer!  Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which can reduce the severity of allergy-triggered asthma.

 

 

10)  Sweet Potato – Pancreas

A sweet potato has a striking resemblance to the pancreas, and has been shown to help the pancreas do its job by helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes are also naturally high in Vitamin B6,  which studies have shown inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer!

 

 

 

It was also interesting to learn that these foods are also on the list of alkaline foods.  Following an Alkaline Diet will help your body restore its pH levels and maintain your health and well being.   My next article will focus on how you can restore the pH balance in your body and help to prevent disease.  

******Always remember to consult with Health Care Provider for advise before trying new diets, exercise programs etc.******

Breaking The Exercise Barrier

Getting motivated to exercise is always easy when you're planning it for the future. That early morning workout is just what you need to get back on track. You may even be excited about it...right up until the alarm goes off and you actually have to follow through. It's then you realize that all those things that motivated you are suddenly nowhere to be found. However, with the growing concern regarding the escalation in chronic non-communicable diseases, improving health and preventing disease are two very good reasons every individual should get involved in some form of regular physical activity. The health benefits are truly hard to ignore and are yours for the taking regardless of your age, gender or physical ability.

The proverbial saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is so true when we examine the substantial gap between our intentions and our behaviour. You know that you want to look and feel fitter and healthier. You know that you will feel better after a workout, yet you just can't bridge the gap between lying in bed thinking about exercise and actually doing it. One of the key challenges is that many people have not embraced exercise as a lifestyle practice. It is seen, for example, as a short-term commitment to lose weight or a chore because it was part of the doctor’s prescription and so for these and other valid reasons a.k.a “excuses”, is readily pushed off your schedule. The moral of the proverb is that “Knowing what is good for you and wanting to do it, is not sufficient to make sustainable behaviour changes”.

What's stopping you from breaking the exercise barrier? Time? Don’t know how to? Too tired? Its too hot, cold or raining? Is it a lack of motivation? Whatever is hampering you these tips may help you to move past the barrier:

 Change your perspective - Shift your thinking from the couch potato mentality to getting active and staying active. This may sound like a big challenge, but it’s not as big a leap as you think. Change is challenging, but the objective is to just get moving and be consistent

 Schedule a regular workout time- Some of the most committed exercisers do it daily before the sun comes up or late at night when the kids are in bed. Build into your weekly schedule an hour each day to be good to your body. Treat your exercise time like you would any other appointment

 Eat Healthy- You must eat a healthy diet to maintain a good fitness program. Your body needs healthy foods (water, fruits, vegetables, protein, etc. Don’t forget the Healthy Plate!) in order to properly receive the benefits of exercise

 Think fun and variety- By nature, humans need change and variety to stay motivated. You also need to have fun-even while we’re working hard. Do both!

 Get Support- Remember you don’t have to do it alone, enlist a friend or personal trainer who will give you that extra push that you sometimes need to remain focused

I implore you-take this article to heart. Let it be a catalyst. Your spirit, body and mind will be happy as you set yourself up for a lifetime of better health, more happiness, and more energy for everything else in your life.