Staying healthy is a frugal thing to do! Fewer medicines to buy, whether prescription or over the counter, and fewer visits to the doctor can only be a good thing!
Making wise food choices is a vital step toward keeping healthy and boosting your body's immune system. Some foods are loaded with nutrients that can actually help prevent disease.
Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant (disease fighter). Yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes pack lots of beta carotene.
Tomatoes have high levels of lycopene and vitamin C. Research shows many benefits of lycopene. Tomatoes with the reddest color have the highest amounts of lycopene. Have your tomatoes in soups, salads or even in ketchup. Unlike some vegetables, tomatoes don't lose their nutritional value during cooking.
Broccoli is full of fiber and also contains beta carotene. And it has more vitamin C than oranges, plus it's loaded with vitamin E to strenghten body cells that fight infection.
Tiny blueberries pack high levels of antioxidants and also may help prevent urinary tract infections. Also, blueberries may reduce the buildup of "bad" cholesterol. A cup of blue berries contains 3 grams of fiber.
Green leafy veggies, like spinach, contain vitamin B and iron. The darker the green, the more nutritious. Green leafy veggies also provide fiber, which is important in helping reduce cholesterol and controlling blood sugar levels. Remember not to overcook, or nutrients will be lost.
Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and helps the body to absorb iron. For lots of vitamin C, choose fruits such as strawberries, oranges, grapefruit and kiwi.
Overall, vegetables and fruits contribute a high amount of nutrients for the calories they contain. And they pack a high nutritional punch for a relatively low price. Buy fruits and veggies in season for the best value.
Stock your fridge with these frugal, healthy foods and strengthen your body's immune system.
The ideas and tips in this article are not intended to be used as medical advice.
About The Author: Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter, featuring creative ideas and tips to help you "live the good life...on a budget!" Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to download a free "Recipe Sampler". Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
I thought I'd add to this fantastic article that medical researchers in a university in Australia have been conducting trials on lycopene, and the fact that it can reduce the likelihood of men contracting prostate cancer, and in cases of them having the disease, it aids in the recovery period. On a recent current affairs program they interviwed a man recovering from prostate cancer and how the plate of cooked tomatoes that he eats on a regular basis has helped him recover quicker than other patients who were on treatment the same time as he was.
I truly am a believer that what we put into our bodies determines how quickly we recover from common illnesses and also how it can aid in recovering from diseases that could take our lives. In my opinion there are a lot of "natural remedies" in our own garden, and pantry that God created, but we are yet to discover.
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