This brings me to what I think is the perfect food. When I was pregnant, all those years ago, I tried to convince my obstetrician that I had the perfect snack for a pregnant woman: A banana split.

Seriously!

Look at it this way. You have your banana. Bananas are high in potassium*, which we need to help regulate blood pressure, replace potassium that was lost due to exercise or sweating (low potassium can cause muscle cramping and heart irregularities), and it helps balance the sodium in your body. A banana that’s about 9 inches can have up to 602 mg of potassium, only 140 calories, 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Pretty amazing for one piece of fruit!

Ok, after your banana, you have your ice cream. Ice cream is a great dairy source and there are now low-fat ice creams that are available if you’re watching your fat intake.

Then you have your fruit. A typical banana split has some strawberries, cherries, and pineapple. According to a press release issued last week by the Cherry Marketing Institute , ” studies have shown that the anthocyanins in tart cherries and other red foods may have anti-inflammatory benefits,” thus helping manage arthritis pain.

Cherries also contain flavonoids called anthocyanins– naturally occurring pigment compounds that provides fruit, vegetables, and plants with their color. Flavonoids, which contain antioxidants, help remove toxins from the body.

Strawberries are a popular fruit. They are rich in vitamin C and fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants. They’re also low in calories.

Pineapple is a fun fruit that isn’t quite as popular as some others. It’s a very health fruit though. It’s considered an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese,  vitamin C and a good source of vitamin B1, copper, dietary fiber and vitamin B6.

After the fruit, you may have some peanuts. Peanuts are healthy, although they can be a bit heavy on the calories. They’re high in protein and a good source for the vitamins our body needs.

And then you have the whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Well, the whipped cream can be added dairy and, well, if you’re pregnant, what’s a few extra calories from the chocolate? Plus, if you switch to dark chocolate, you’re talking a whole different thing.

*certain people may be warned against eating bananas because their body can’t handle all the potassium. Check with your doctor if you have a heart condition that may make this the case for you.

Sadly, my doctor wasn’t convinced and neither have any others I’ve tried this theory on. But my idea still stands.

So, what are you going to eat today?

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Images: Stock.xchng

Post from: Blisstree

It’s Eat What You Want Day!

Cherries have powerful antioxidants, known as anthocyanins that are thought to help fight inflammation and risk of heart disease.

A study conducted by Dr. Steven F. Bolling at the University of Michigan, shows that eating cherries may lower body fat, weight, cholesterol and inflammation.

Our bodies use inflammation to fight off infection and injury. A chronic state of inflammation can raise your risk of heart disease.  With 2 out of 3 people overweight or obese in the United States, especially around their middle, this problem is more prevalent.

In the study rats were feed a (Western Diet) which was high in fat and moderate carbohydrates.  The study added tart cherry powder to some of the rat’s diet, which caused them to maintain lean muscle mass as well as a decrease in fat and body weight.

Listed below you will find some important facts you need to know about cherries.

  Antioxidant Levels of Cherries

• Cherry Juice Concentrate: 12,800 ORAC units
• Dried Cherries:                    6,800 ORAC units
• Frozen Cherries:                  2,033 ORAC units
• Canned Cherries:                 1,700 ORAC units

Below you will find three interesting articles on cherry nutrition, cherry reports and cherry recipes.

Nutrition Facts, Cherry Report, Cherry Recipes

Post from: Blisstree

Cherries The Super Fruit