Healthy Foods Archives

7 Good Reasons To Switch To Grass-Fed Butter

Posted on June 3, 2019 by HB_Admin

Butter is produced from churning the cream from raw milk that comes from cows. The butter which also known as fat separates naturally during the churning process. To make butter that is grass-fed, which also goes by the name of Pasture Butter, the butter needs to come from a dairy cow that produces grass-fed milk. The cows that are grass-fed graze on grassy, green pastures which is their best source of food.

Below are 7 good reasons why you should make the switch to grass-fed butter:

1. Lots Of Healthy And Delicious Saturated Fats

Grass-fed butter is a pure fat that contains zero proteins, sugars, and carbs. Saturated fats that come from a healthy source such as grass-fed butter is important to your health. Milk fat that is used for making butter is regarded as highly complex when it comes to natural fats since it contains more than 80% pure fat which contains 400 different types of fatty acids.

2. Contains Essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Grass-fed butter contains much higher concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids when compared to grain-fed butter.

This fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fat which is very important to the human body, as you are unable to produce this fatty acid on your own, meaning you need to get it from the food that you eat. Grass-fed butter also features more CLA, which is healthy Omega-6 fatty acid.

3. 500% More CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)

Cows that are allowed to naturally graze on grass in pastures often have as much as 500% more CLA in the milk that they produce when compared to grain-fed cows. CLA is one of the long-chain fatty acids and Omega-6 that is present in dairy products and meat, which helps to:

– Improve bone mass
– Lower the risks of cancer
– Prevent cardiovascular diseases
– Boosts immunity
– Fights inflammation

4. Grass-Fed Butter Contains High Levels Of Butyrate

Butyrate is one of the short-chain fatty acids that the bacteria in your gut consume in order to grow as well as improve your overall gut health. This fatty acid is also associated with:

– Lowering the risks of heart disease
– Boosts energy
– Helps to maintain healthy digestion

Butyrate is available readily in grass-fed butter and it does not require bile production or digestive enzymes in order to work. This makes it highly absorbable and ready to use.

5. Contains Antioxidants And Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Studies have proven that the milk produced from the pastured cows is much higher in antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins. This includes Vitamin A, D, K and E.

6. Lowers Inflammation

You may have heard many experts and doctors talking about the importance of lowering inflammation, but do you know that this actually means? Inflammation is a defence mechanism of the body when it thinks that it is under attack.

If you do not experience acute inflammation whereby the white blood cells are sent to destroy foreign enemies, you would experience an infection that is fatal from something as simple as a paper cut.

Yet chronic inflammation, on the other hand, occurs when the body is in a constant state of high alert. Scientists believe that inflammation might start with gut health. While some types of oils and fats like canola oil and trans fat increase inflammation, pasture butter does the complete opposite. Grass-fed butter contains butyrate which is known for reducing inflammation.

7. Improves Heart Health

While sugar and grains are the actual culprits when it comes to heart disease, the right fats can assist with reversing it. Evidence has shown that people who consume more grass-fed dairy are at a much lower risk when it comes to heart diseases.

What To Look For In The Healthiest Frozen Meals

Posted on June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 by HB_Admin

When you are shopping around for frozen meals, you want to try to find the healthiest options available. Finding the healthiest frozen meals shouldn’t be too difficult. While there might have been limited options available to consider in the past that are deemed healthy, you will find the freezers packed with healthy options even in standard grocery stores. Below, we will be going over some of the top things to look for when you are shopping for the healthiest frozen meals.

Finding Some Of The Healthiest Frozen Meals Available:

1. Ingredients.

The main thing that you are going to want to try to look for when you are shopping around for frozen meals would be the ingredient profile. You want to find the meals that have the healthiest ingredient profile possible when shopping because it will enable you to narrow down your options to the healthiest meals right from the start. You want to shop for frozen meals with the best ingredients because it will enable you to get a quick meal without sacrificing your diet.

2. Calories.

Another thing that you are going to want to consider when you are shopping for healthy meals that happen to be frozen is the total number of calories that comes with the meal. You want to look for the calories because any meal that is too high in calories might mess up your diet.

You want to look closely to see whether or not it lists the calories as (per serving) or another way to ensure that you are calculating the total number of calories it has correctly.

3. Sodium.

This is a very important component to check for when you are shopping around for any type of pre-prepared meal. You want to look to see how much sodium is included in the meal when you are shopping around because a lot of the frozen meals you will find on the shelves are going to have a lot of sodium in it. Eating these meals is bad especially for those that already have high blood pressure as it is. Therefore, you want to try to minimize the amount of sodium you intake by limiting the frozen foods you get that are too high in sodium.

4. Variety.

Another thing that you should be doing when you are trying to figure out which frozen foods to get would be looking to get a variety of different kinds of foods in your diet. You want to find the meals that have different nutrients in it. That way, you will be able to find the foods that are going to offer a range of different vitamins and minerals which will allow you to get in a healthy and balanced meal each and every time. You should be looking for foods that have a variety of bright vegetables, good and high-quality protein sources, healthy fat, and more. Finding the foods that offer a good variety of foods is key.

Overall, there are plenty of things that you should be looking for when you are shopping around for the best-frozen meals. By following the tips above, you will be able to identify the right frozen meals to consider stocking your freezer with. You want to really look at the ingredient profile to ensure that you are not taking in too many unhealthy ingredients and look at the sodium content to avoid messing up your blood pressure. Lastly, you want to be looking at the different varieties of food that are available which will give you a good balance of nutrients which can really provide you with a balanced meal.

Top Food Sources of Protein

Posted on June 20, 2018June 20, 2018 by HB_Admin

Protein is built from building blocks called amino acids. These amino acids are needed by tissues of our body so that it can fix broken tissues and build up more tissues for the muscles to be strong. They also coordinate biological processes between different cells, tissues, and organs. In addition, proteins are needed by the immune system which helps the antibodies grow and fight off foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses. Proteins also help keep our metabolisms running, our energy up and our blood sugar levels stable.

Furthermore, research also shows that including a source of protein at breakfast along with a high-fiber grain like whole wheat toast can help you feel full longer and eat less throughout the day Protein has a lot more uses in our body, but to put it simple, the protein found in our food is used by every part of our body to develop, grow and function properly. Protein is found in both plant and animal sources of food. Here are the top food sources of protein:

Dairy Products

Milk, cheese, and yogurt are balanced sources of protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Milk and cheese contain rich amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and vitamin B2. Yogurt, on the other hand, is full of beneficial probiotics which help in the digestion and the absorption of nutrients. These protein-rich dairy products provide a good amount of protein per serving and help promote nutrient absorption and supply medium-chain fatty acids that boost energy levels and help lower cholesterol.

Nuts

Nuts are a healthy snack that contains not only protein but also antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber. Nuts like almonds also contain vitamins such as riboflavin and minerals such as magnesium which help protect your heart from cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation, support cognitive function, and control blood sugar levels. Some of the healthiest nuts are Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Hazelnuts, and Walnuts.

Eggs

Eggs are one of the least expensive sources of protein. They contain all nine of the essential amino acids that we need to get from our food. More than half the protein of an egg is found in the egg white along with vitamin B2. Eggs are also rich in biotin, which helps improve protein absorption. In addition, eggs are also great sources of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, eye-protecting antioxidants and brain nutrients. This protein-rich food is an important and versatile ingredient for cooking and it is easy to be creative in adding them to your diet.

Salmon

Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Six ounces of wild salmon has about 34 grams of protein and is naturally low in sodium, and contains only 1.7 grams of saturated fat. It is also an excellent source of omega-3 fats, a type of fat that’s especially good for the heart. This delicious, versatile and widely available fish can be a great addition to a high-protein diet.

Oats

Dubbed as the healthiest grains on the planet, oats are among the best sources of protein. This healthy breakfast staple a good source of carbs and fiber. They are also loaded with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds. No wonder oats are popular breakfast meal.

Lean Meat

Lean meat is among the top sources of protein, making it an excellent high-protein food option that can easily be added to healthy lunch and dinner recipes. In addition to a good amount of protein, lean meat is also an excellent source of zinc, iron, and vitamin B12.

Beans

Beans are an excellent source of both protein and fiber which keep you feeling full for hours. The protein and fiber duo found in beans also help the body absorb nutrients and release acids into the bloodstream, which makes you feel energized and helps to cleanse your digestive tract

Eating food which are good sources of protein has a number of health benefits, so always have some of these protein-rich food ready during every meal.

Five Healthy Foods That Are Packed With Vitamin C

Posted on November 13, 2016December 14, 2016 by HB_Admin

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to boost the immune system and help fight off the common cold. Promising new research also shows that it may be effective at preventing heart disease, minimizing the risk of cancer, and stabilizing blood sugar levels. With so many benefits, it makes sense to add this essential nutrient to your diet.

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If you are like most people, you probably immediately think of oranges when you think of good sources of vitamin C. Although oranges are a fantastic source of vitamin C, you may be surprised to learn that there are many other fruits and vegetables that are even higher in this well-known vitamin. The following list takes a closer look at five healthy foods that are positively packed with vitamin C:

1. Bell peppers. Both red and green bell peppers are excellent sources of vitamin C. Red peppers have slightly more vitamin C than green peppers. However, both are a great option if you are looking for a way to boost your intake of this particular vitamin. Try slicing them up into strips and dipping them in salad dressing for a healthy snack.

2. Broccoli. If you are looking for a low-calorie way to meet your daily vitamin C requirements, broccoli could be the perfect solution. Try steaming this healthy vegetable in your microwave and sprinkling it with a little bit of salt and pepper for a delicious, healthy treat. strawberries

3. Strawberries. Snacking on strawberries can be a great way to increase your vitamin C intake. These bright red berries have countless health benefits, making them a great addition to any balanced diet. The only downside to strawberries is that they can spoil rather quickly. Fortunately, you can get the same health benefits from frozen berries as you can from fresh berries. Try having a bowl of frozen strawberries with a little bit of sugar sprinkled on top for dessert instead of cake or cookies.

4. Kale. Years ago, kale was best known for being a salad bar garnish at local steakhouses. These days, however, it is considered to be a superfood. More and more people are getting on board with eating this leafy green vegetable. It is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C.

One fun way to incorporate more kale into your diet is by making Kale chips. All that you have to do is remove the stems from the kale and tear the rest of the leaves into small pieces. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and spray them with olive oil. Sprinkle a little bit of salt on them and bake them in an oven until the edges start to turn brown. When you take them out, you will have crisp, delicious treats to snack on.

5. Pineapple. If vegetables aren’t your thing, you can also get more vitamin C by eating pineapple. This tropical fruit is not only an excellent source of vitamin C but also is high in bromelain, a digestive enzyme that makes it easier to digest protein. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation, making pineapple a great choice if you suffer from any inflammatory health conditions.

These five foods are all fantastic sources of vitamin C. Don’t feel like you are limited to eating oranges if you want to increase your vitamin C intake. Although oranges are traditionally associated with vitamin C, there are many foods that actually have a much higher vitamin content. Adding the foods on this list to your diet can help improve your health by ensuring that you are getting enough of this essential vitamin each and every day.