ANTIOXIDANTS: HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR NEEDS ARE BEING MET FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The main role of antioxidants is to protect us from the damaging effects of free radicals. Environmental pollution, smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy food choices (refined, processed foods etc.) all lend to the formation of free radicals and our level of these unstable, unhealthy and damaging molecules.

It’s when they become overpopulated and our bodies can’t keep up with them that they become a problem, leading to the following:

• Cell damage

• Tissue damage

• Cell mutations.

It’s important that we are choosing good quality, wholesome and nutrient dense foods; that we are choosing a variety of healthy foods and incorporating a variety of colours. We don’t want to be relying on supplementations to meet our needs; supplements should be an “in addition to” and not an “in place of” a healthy well balanced diet.

Be sure that your daily/weekly meal plan includes a variety of the following items:

Vegetables:

• Broccoli

• Carrots

• Pumpkin

• Sweet potatoes

• Brussel sprouts

• Kale

• Spinach

• Dark leafy greens

• Tomatoes

• Leeks

• Cabbage

Fruits:

• Cantaloupe

• Citrus fruits

• Mangoes

• papaya

These as well:

• Eggs

• Dairy

• Meats (including organ meats)

• Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, almonds)

• Fish

• Beans

• Legumes

• Grains

• Brazil nuts

Remember:

• Wash your fruits and vegetables well before consuming

• Choose dairy and eggs from grain fed sources (local and organic when possible)

• Choose meats from grain fed sources (local and organic when possible)

• Choose fresh, fresh-water fish

• Limit your unprotected sun exposure and choose a natural sunscreen product that will reduce further exposure to unwanted chemicals/toxins

• Be mindful of environmental pollutants and, whenever possible work at reducing your exposure

Working towards ensuring we are providing our bodies with BALANCED nutrition and incorporating a well BALANCED diet into our routine will help us to reduce our exposure to free radicals and will help our body deal with those that we are exposed to.

It’s when we DO NOTHING, allowing free radicals to become overpopulated, that our chance of experiencing a chronic illness increases.

If you are interested in more information, tips and strategies regarding BALANCED nutrition and a BALANCED diet, click here, to receive an invitation for a FREE pre-recorded on-line learning/education session. You can watch it at a time of your choosing in the comfort of your home with the ability to fast forward/pause and rewind.

Sending A Wish Your Way For A Well BALANCED Day

Jenny