Forget Eating Your Greens, Opt For a Rainbow Instead

‘Eat your greens’ may have been the sentence most commonly heard around the dinner table when you were younger, but there’s a new rule to follow now – eating the rainbow. It seems that avoiding the reds, oranges and purples in our diet could mean that we’re missing out on a range of vital nutrients. By eating the rainbow, we ensure that our bodies get everything they need to stay healthy and strong. Fruit and vegetables contain numerous phytochemicals which act as antioxidants that are used to fight off disease, keep us looking young and to maintain strong bodily processes. They are used to ‘mop up’ free radicals which are molecules that can cause damage to the body if they’re left in the body. As a result, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables could keep your body healthier for longer, helping you to prevent heart disease, cancers, cataracts and even premature ageing. Researchers have found that the phytochemicals could also offer other health benefits, so on top of your five a day you also need to make sure you get a range of colours into your diet as well.

Eating a range of colours doesn’t just mean that you’re getting a range of nutrients – it also means you’ll be able to add a range of textures and flavours to your diet as well. You may think you’re limited when it comes to ingredients that have bright colours, but there’s more to choose from than you think. With red as your inspiration, why not choose between cranberries, cherries, apples, rhubarb, radishes, tomatoes, peppers and red grapes? These ingredients contain lycopene, which is a carotenoid, as well as anthocyanins which give fruit and vegetables their distinctive red colour. They also have high levels of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system. These ingredients can help to protect you from certain cancers, in particular prostate cancer. Our bodies absorb lycopene more easily when the foods have been heated, so eat tomatoes and such ingredients cooked rather than raw.

Green vegetables are easier to find, but you don’t need to limit yourself to spinach. Lettuce, cucumber, cress, courgette, mangetout, apples and kiwi fruit all count towards as well. These contain chlorophyll and nutrients such as iron and calcium. They also contain lutein which is helpful for protecting your eyes. Purple foods could be anything from raisins, red onions and aubergine to blackcurrants and blueberries. These contain anthocyanins which keep the heart healthy and lower the risk of strokes. Researchers have also found that the nutrients within purple and blue foods could help to improve your balance, short-term memory and co-ordination. Lastly, orange and yellow foods can come from oranges, grapefruits, pumpkin, sweetcorn, squash, peaches and pineapple. These are great sources of vitamin C, as well as being loaded with beta carotene. Most yellow or orange foods help to protect your eyes and skin, as they enable the body to convert beta carotene into vitamin A. Eating the rainbow may seem daunting at first, but as long as you ensure that you eat a varied selection of fruit and vegetables every day, you’ll be on track to getting your daily dose of these health-boosting nutrients. If you’re in doubt, why not have a smoothie in the morning, which you can load up with delicious and healthy ingredients? Add a few portions to your dinner and have a piece of fruit as a snack, and you’ll be reaching that five a day goal more easily.

Categories: beta carotene, eating, fruit, ingredients, nutrients, range, vegetables

Female-Targeted Supplements to Boost Women’s Health

With so many supplements on the market, it can be difficult knowing where to begin in finding one that suits your body and needs. A new range of female-targeted supplements known as femMED have been released that take the confusion out of these dietary additions and to deal with specific problems that women encounter every day. Using the highest quality ingredients possible and 100% natural, these supplements are backed by a wealth of research and clinical trials to ensure that they’re not only safe but also effective. Shawna Page, who created the line of supplements, says that she was inspired by natural health remedies but found that the range of supplements already on the market didn’t target the areas of her body that she wanted to improve. She wanted to create supplements for women at every stage of their lives, from teens to the elderly. Our health changes as we age, so it’s important that we reflect that with the supplements we take. FemMED has taken this into account and created a range that reflects how different women are at these stages of life.

 

Shawna claims that it’s important to take supplements in order to boost your health in areas that your diet is lacking. If everyone ate a balanced diet of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, dairy and whole grains every day, there would be no need for supplements. However, in today’s age of fast food and quick meals, most people are lacking in vitamins and minerals that will eventually lead to health problems, from dry skin and hair to more serious conditions. Supplements are a quick and easy way of preventing chronic disease, improving your wellbeing and filling in the gaps that your diet has left. While they are no replacement for a balanced diet, they certainly ensure that you remain healthy. FemMED is a line of 13 products which are specifically for women and take the worry out of choosing a supplement for your needs. Addressing the most common health problems that women face, these supplements are far more appealing that choosing from an extensive range of complex formulas. Not only that, but every product in the range can be combined to target multiple health concerns and they use vegetarian caps. The range was created with a selection of health professionals, from herbalists to gynaecologists and obstetricians, so that every health concern was considered. Research has been extensive so that Shawna could ensure they were safe and effective.

The philosophy behind the range was to allow women to take control of their health and wellness – education, Shawna believes, is the key to having the confidence to challenge suggestions and empower women to take control of their diets. Traditional allopathic doctors won’t necessarily lead to a completely fantastic diet, and they won’t have all the answers to your dietary questions. For example, it’s not always necessary to use medication for your condition if a supplement can do the same job. Your health plan for improved wellbeing should include a healthy and balanced diet, regular physical activity, no smoking and limited alcohol intake, plenty of sleep, well managed stress and nutritional supplements. Of course, if something doesn’t feel right or you’re worried about your health,  you should speak to your GP who can check for any serious conditions. It’s best to be aware of your body so that you can make a note of changes in your health and catch any potential health problems early before they develop.

Categories: balanced diet, diet, female targeted, health, health problems, New Solution, range, Supplements, targeted supplements, Women, women's health