In our busy lives we can forget that it is important to eat throughout the day for your energy levels, but also to maintain your blood sugars and metabolism. To deliver a steady stream of energizing nutrients to your body, eat several frequent small meals during the day, including a few healthy grab and go snacks.
- A handful of nuts improves circulation and muscle tone, and facilitates healing. Nuts and seeds are full of amino acids that help combat heart disease, impotence, infertility and high blood pressure.
- An apple a day contributes to a healthy heart and robust lung function. Thanks to the fruit’s rich pectin content, eating apples decreases cholesterol. Pectin also helps prevent colon cancer, one of the leading cancers in adults over the age of sixty.
- Bring on the berries and cherries! They’re bursting with antioxidant compounds that reduce free radical damage and reduce inflammation. Blueberries shield brain cells from damage, while Chinese researchers have found that cherries stimulate the pancreas and help keep diabetics healthy.
- Apricots contain a high level of carotenoids which are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol and protect against cancer. Further, apricots are one of the staple foods of long-lived centenarians in the Hunza Valley of the Himalayas.
- Avocados contain an all-important master antioxidant that boosts immunity, builds muscle and protects us from heart disease. Pair your avocado with whole-grain crackers or use mashed avocado in place of mayonnaise on whole-grain sandwiches for a fiber-rich tasty treat.
Dr. Mao’s healthy handfuls
Mix raw pine nuts, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, peanuts and pistachios in any combination, along with chopped dried apples, berries, cherries and apricots. Or, make up small cups of fresh apples, berries, cherries and apricots, and enjoy the fruit along with a package of raw mixed nuts and seeds.
May you Live Long, Live Strong, and Live Happy!
Dr. Mao is a bestselling author, doctor of Oriental Medicine and board certified anti-aging expert. He has recently appeared on Dr. Oz, and contributes to Yahoo Health and The Huffington Post. To subscribe to his tip-filled newsletter please visit www.infinichi.com. To learn more about your Core Element or to take the Element Quiz, visit Infinich.com
