Posted Jan 19, 2011
The new year signals fresh beginnings and a fresh focus on your health.
We are learning more and more about the inflammatory and harmful effects of a diet that is high in saturated animal fats. We are advised to take in seven to 10 servings of fruits and veggies a day, and many of us may feel that we have run out of options for healthful foods.
Here are some unusual foods that you may not have tried and that are seen as having some health benefits.
-Tempeh: Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but it is very different from tofu in preparation, taste and consistency. Per serving, it contains more protein, carbohydrate, riboflavin, niacin and manganese than tofu does.
-Arame: This mild-tasting seaweed from Japan is a rich source of calcium, zinc, lignans and iodine. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, watch out for the high sodium content in this and other seaweeds.
-Amaranth: Also called the “king of grains,” amaranth is a weedlike shrub ingested for its “pseudograin” that resembles wheat. Amaranth grain is a good source of fiber and dietary minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and especially manganese. Because amaranth has no gluten, it is a good option for gluten-intolerent individuals.
-Yerba mate: This is a species of holly found in South America. “Mate” is the infusion made by soaking the leaves in hot (not boiling) water. Yerba mate has a high antioxidant content as well as caffeine and xanthine alkaloids (mood elevators and muscle relaxants).
-Sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke: This is a variant of a sunflower; its tubers are similar to the potato’s. It has a high iron, fiber, niacin, thiamine and phosphorus content. Sunchoke has a low glycemic index and is a better alternative to potatoes. (Beware of flatulence associated with this, however.)
Enjoy the above, as well as locally produced fresh produce, for a nutritionally interesting, healthy new year.
(Drs. Kay Judge and Maxine Barish-Wreden are medical directors of Sutter Downtown Integrative Medicine program in Sacramento, Calif. Have a question related to alternative medicine? E-mail adrenaline@sacbee.com.)