Everyone has heard of an ABC book: a fun, easy way for children to associate words with a letter or picture. We at Andreano Chiropractic thought it would be fun to put our own spin on this and write a blog post about a healthy food associated with each letter of the alphabet that can be used to help build a healthy balanced diet in your life.
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The first thought people had for a food beginning with the letter “A” was probably apple, and although it is a very healthy fruit, we thought that was too well-known.
Avocados are superfoods that are on the other end of the nutrition spectrum. Per 1 avocado (with weight of 201 grams), it has 322 calories, 29 grams of healthy fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates (with 13 grams being dietary fibers and only 1 gram of sugar), and 4 grams of protein. They are also great sources of vitamin C and are free from gluten and cholesterol with minimal sodium. All of this great nutritional value and their great taste give avocados a spot on this list.
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Blueberries are another form of superfood. Blueberries are high in antioxidants, reduce risk of cancer, boost metabolism, and are high in vitamin C. They are also very low in calories, with a 1 cup serving only having 80. Due to these factors and the fat-burning properties of blueberries, they are a great option to include on a weight-loss diet.
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Chicken is an extremely nutritious asset in a diet due to it being a rich source of lean protein. A 1 cup serving of skinless chicken breast (140 grams) has 43.4 grams of protein with only 231 calories and 5 grams of fat. It has no carbohydrates. Chicken is a common entry in many diets for both weight loss and weight gain for its lean protein, making it one of the strongest contenders on this list.
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Dragon fruit, or Pitaya, is the most exotic entry on this list. The fruit itself has an eye-grabbing appearance, looking straight out of a fantasy story. The fact it grows from a cactus and not a tree only adds to the fascination of this delicacy. This wondrous fruit will add a pleasing appearance to a plate.
Whimsical nature aside, it is very nutritious, being a rich source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that boost the immune system. Dragon fruit also can boost iron levels which is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body. This fruit also reduces risk for diabetes and cancer and is theorized to reduce blood sugar by healing damaged insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
In addition to the host of benefits it has, dragon fruit has a nice, slightly sweet taste and a unique texture. It also has a low calorie count with only 102 calories for a 6 ounce serving.
E is for Eggs
In terms of health and nutrition, this is an eggscelent dietary addition due to its high protein, low calories, and healthy fats. Eggs are also high in iron, minerals, and vitamins. Pasture raised eggs are best, they are healthier and the chickens that produce them live a much more humane life. Remember, you are what you eat and so are they.
Eggs have two parts, the whites and the yolk. The egg whites are high in protein and very low in calories while the egg yolks are high in nutrients and healthy fats. Each part has its individual strength, so it is not uncommon for people to separate them to isolate certain benefits.
Figs are quite an amazing delicacy. This candy of nature has a fine sweetness to it while wielding so much nutritional value. It has great amounts of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. These attributes can help control both blood pressure and digestion, protect the heart, aid reproductive organs, and play a great role in a weight loss endeavor.
Grapes are a great, common fruit to include in any balanced diet. Per 1 cup serving, they have 62 calories, 1 gram of fiber, and 16 grams of carbohydrates with only 0.3 grams of fat. This fruit is also rich in antioxidants and is theorized to be very beneficial for heart health. If you are trying to cut processed sugars from your diet, this is a great substitute.
H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O, PART 2 SOON...
This is only Part 1 of Andreano Chiropractic's alphabet series. We'll update this feed every few days until it's conclusion, so stay tuned to learn more about healthy foods that can enhance your diet!
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