Real Food is Heart Healthy

Real food is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that support heart health, including magnesium and healthy fats.

Eating a diet rich in nutritious, unprocessed foods may also help reduce inflammation, which is believed to be one of the major drivers of heart disease

Antioxidant-rich foods protect against heart disease in a number of important ways. Our antioxidant defense system is what protects us from oxidative damage, which as you now know is a major risk factor for heart disease. Strengthening this system has two sides: reducing our exposure to oxidative stress and increasing our intake of antioxidant-rich foods. When most people think of antioxidants, they think of fruits and vegetables like dark, leafy greens and fruits like berries. But while it’s true that these foods are rich in antioxidants, what a lot of people don’t know is that red meat and organ meats are also very rich in important antioxidants that aren’t found in significant amounts in plant foods, like CoQ10 and retinol, which is preformed vitamin A.

Real Food is Heart Healthy

Real food is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that support heart health, including magnesium and healthy fats.

Eating a diet rich in nutritious, unprocessed foods may also help reduce inflammation, which is believed to be one of the major drivers of heart disease

Antioxidant-rich foods protect against heart disease in a number of important ways. Our antioxidant defense system is what protects us from oxidative damage, which as you now know is a major risk factor for heart disease. Strengthening this system has two sides: reducing our exposure to oxidative stress and increasing our intake of antioxidant-rich foods. When most people think of antioxidants, they think of fruits and vegetables like dark, leafy greens and fruits like berries. But while it’s true that these foods are rich in antioxidants, what a lot of people don’t know is that red meat and organ meats are also very rich in important antioxidants that aren’t found in significant amounts in plant foods, like CoQ10 and retinol, which is preformed vitamin A.

As I’m not particularly fond of tuna, but realise it is important to take in during the hCG Diet, I found this recipe which I thoroughly enjoy.  I’ve adapted it many different ways using various veg, and it is always tasty and delicious, so do play around with it.

Ingredients:

4   250gm Tuna Steaks/Filets

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

2 Tablespoons finely minced/chopped onion

2 sticks of celery, finely sliced

1 small tomato, skinned & roughly chopped

1/2 teaspoon thyme

12 Tablespoons dry white wine (Leave this out for phase 2 and adapt by using Unsweetened orange juice – I find this a good alternative for this specific recipe)

Salt and pepper

Cooking Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and gently fry the onions and celery until soft. Stir in tomatoes and thyme and cook for about 5 minutes to soften tomatoes. Place in base of shallow dish. Heat remaining oil and quickly fry the tuna steaks to brown on each side. Place tuna steaks on top of vegetables, season; then pour over white wine. Cover. Bake at 160°C for 40-50 minutes until fish is tender.

Serves 4.   Zero carbs.

Real food is low in sugar

Some research suggests that eating sugary foods can increase your risk of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and heart disease.

Generally speaking, real food is low in sugar and isn’t very sweet.

Even though fruit contains sugar, it’s also high in water and fiber, so it’s much less concentrated than sugar in soda and processed foods.

A low-carb diet restricts sugary foods, and starches like pasta or bread. Instead you’ll eat delicious real foods, including protein, natural fats and vegetables.

Low-carb diets just work, they’ve been used for over 150 years and there are tons of success stories. Dozens of scientific studies prove that compared to other diets, low carb is more effective.

Real food is low in sugar

Some research suggests that eating sugary foods can increase your risk of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and heart disease.

Generally speaking, real food is low in sugar and isn’t very sweet.

Even though fruit contains sugar, it’s also high in water and fiber, so it’s much less concentrated than sugar in soda and processed foods.

A low-carb diet restricts sugary foods, and starches like pasta or bread. Instead you’ll eat delicious real foods, including protein, natural fats and vegetables.

Low-carb diets just work, they’ve been used for over 150 years and there are tons of success stories. Dozens of scientific studies prove that compared to other diets, low carb is more effective.

We all get really tired of chicken quickly so I like to try to change up the flavor as much as possible. I can’t eat BBQ Chicken EVERY NIGHT 🙂 I need variety!

Mango Curry Chicken Skewers is a super simple way to flavor the whole meal different.

Ingredients

650 gms chicken breast, cut into 2 inch pieces

Recipe for the Mango Curry Dip

6 wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions

Make the dip/marinade and add the cut pieces of chicken to it and marinate overnight.

Preheat grill to 400℉.

Slide the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.

1. Grill for 20 minutes, 10 minutes each side until chicken is done.

Mango Curry Dip

In a small serving bowl, stir together 1 cup greek yoghurt, 1/3 cup mango chutney, 2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro, 1 tsp.curry powder, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper.

We all get really tired of chicken quickly so I like to try to change up the flavor as much as possible. I can’t eat BBQ Chicken EVERY NIGHT 🙂 I need variety!

Mango Curry Chicken Skewers is a super simple way to flavor the whole meal different.

Ingredients

650 gms chicken breast, cut into 2 inch pieces

Recipe for the Mango Curry Dip

6 wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions

Make the dip/marinade and add the cut pieces of chicken to it and marinate overnight.

Preheat grill to 400℉.

Slide the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.

1. Grill for 20 minutes, 10 minutes each side until chicken is done.

Mango Curry Dip

In a small serving bowl, stir together 1 cup greek yoghurt, 1/3 cup mango chutney, 2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro, 1 tsp.curry powder, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper.

Real food is whole, single ingredient food.

It is mostly unprocessed, free of chemical additives and rich in nutrients.

In essence, it’s the type of food human beings ate exclusively for thousands of years.

However, ever since ready-to-eat foods became popular in the 20th century, many people have been eating them as a dominant part of their diet.

While processed foods may be more convenient in some ways, it’s hard to argue that they have made us healthier or happier.

In fact, following a diet based on real food may be one of the most important things you can do to maintain good health and high quality of life.

Here some good reasons to eat real food.

Real Food Is Loaded With Important Nutrients

Unprocessed animal and plant foods contain the vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health.

For instance, one cup (220 grams) of red bell peppers, broccoli or orange slices contains more than 100% of the RDI for vitamin C.

Eggs and liver are especially high in choline, a nutrient that’s essential for proper brain function .

And just a single Brazil nut provides all the selenium you need for an entire day.

There are many other examples of this. In fact, most real foods are good sources of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients.

Unlike supplements, it’s nearly impossible to overdose on nutrients from unprocessed food.