1. Spices. Hot, spicy foods containing chillies or
cayenne pepper trigger endorphins, the feel-good hormones. Endorphins
have a powerful, almost narcotic, effect and make you feel good after
exercising. But go easy on the lamb, pork and mutton and the high-fat,
creamy dishes served in many Indian restaurants.
2. Cut out herbs before surgery. Some herbal supplements – from the
popular St John's Wort and ginkgo biloba to garlic, ginger, ginseng and
feverfew – can cause increased bleeding during surgery, warn surgeons.
It may be wise to stop taking all medication, including herbal
supplements, at least two weeks before surgery, and inform your surgeon
about your herbal use.
3. Tomato. Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie
pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They’re
also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also
nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups and casseroles, as well as in
salads. The British Thoracic Society says that tomatoes and apples can
reduce your risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases. Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every other day.
4. Eat your stress away. Prevent low blood sugar as it stresses
you out. Eat regular and small healthy meals and keep fruit and veggies
handy. Herbal teas will also soothe your frazzled nerves. Eating
unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas boosts the formation of
serotonin, another feel-good drug. Small amounts of protein containing
the amino acid tryptamine can give you a boost when stress tires you
out.
5. Vitamin C.We need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per
day and the best way to get this is by eating at least five servings of
fresh fruit and vegetables every day. So hit the oranges and guavas!
6. Folic acid. Folic acid should be taken regularly
by all pregnant mums and people with a low immunity to disease. Folic
acid prevents spina bifida in unborn babies and can play a role in
cancer prevention. It is found in green leafy vegetables, liver, fruit
and bran.
7. Vitamin A . This vitamin, and beta carotene, help to boost
immunity against disease. It also assists in the healing process of
diseases such as measles and is recommended by the WHO. Good natural
sources of vitamin A are kidneys, liver, dairy products, green and
yellow vegetables, pawpaw, mangoes, chilli pepper, red sorrel and red
palm oil.
8. Pure water. Don’t have soft drinks or energy drinks while you're exercising. Stay properly hydrated by drinking enough water during
your workout (just don't overdo things, as drinking too much water can
also be dangerous). While you might need energy drinks for long-distance
running, in shorter exercise sessions in the gym, your body will burn
the glucose from the soft drink first, before starting to burn body fat.
Same goes for eating sweets.
9. Glycaemic Index. Carbohydrates with a high glycaemic index,
such as bread, sugar, honey and grain-based food will give instant
energy and accelerate your metabolism. If you’re trying to burn fat,
stick to beans, rice, pasta, lentils, peas, soya beans and oat bran, all
of which have a low GI count.
10. Mindful living. You've probably heard the old adage that
life's too short to stuff a mushroom. But perhaps you should consider
the opposite: that life's simply too short NOT to focus on the simple
tasks. By slowing down and concentrating on basic things, you'll clear
your mind of everything that worries you. Really concentrate on
sensations and experiences again: observe the rough texture of a
strawberry's skin as you touch it, and taste the sweet-sour juice as you
bite into the fruit; when your partner strokes your hand, pay careful
attention to the sensation on your skin; and learn to really focus on
simple tasks while doing them, whether it's flowering plants or ironing
your clothes.
