March Fit Tips

March 2013 tips

1. HARNESS THE POWER OF PURPLE!

Magnificently colored veggies such as red cabbage, red beets, radicchio and eggplant owe their spectacular purple, blue, violet and mauve hues to a superbly healthy plant pigment (polyphenol flavonoid) called anthocyanin. Load up on these purple beauties every day and harness the power of purple!

1. DRINK RED WINE

Cheers to a longer life! Drinking one glass a day of red wine (with food) has been linked to greater longevity. Since red wine has ten times the antioxidant content of white—be sure to “go red” next time you decide to partake in spirits.

1. EAT CARROTS

Carrots owe their vivid orange color to a plant pigment and powerful antioxidant called beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the precursor to vitamin A, an important fat soluble vitamin the body uses for a host of vital functions such as maintaining the integrity of the skin, hair, and vision.

1. SNACK ON POPCORN

Who knew? Corn, the tiny kernel that most of the world calls maize, is a whole grain! Research shows that those people who snack on popcorn eat whopping 250 percent more whole grains and 22 percent more fiber compared to non-popcorn eaters. Just be sure to avoid the unhealthy popcorn additives: salt and butter—which ruin a perfectly heart-healthy food.