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Superfoods to Maintain Your Health During the Holidays

With the holiday season drawing near, consider adding superfoods to your meals. Superfoods are packed with crucial vitamins and minerals that your body needs for optimal performance. This food group encompasses most nutrient-dense options, ensuring your energy requirements for daily activities are met. Opt for a diet that prioritises nutrients while moderating your calorie intake.

 

Choosing healthier foods can help lower the risk of chronic health conditions. Continue reading to discover more about incorporating superfoods into your holiday diet for better health maintenance.

What are Superfoods?

Vitamin C

Minerals and vitamins are essential nutrients required by your body. Vitamin C is one of those vitamins your body needs to maintain a healthy immune system. Not only does it ensure recommended recovery support, but it also increases the production of collagen to promote wound healing.

If you are feeling extreme fatigue around this time, vitamin C can increase energy levels and ease muscle pain. You can receive your recommended intake of this super vitamin from various foods. For example, citrus fruits, green vegetables, and peppers are some sources that can be included in your ordinary diet.

Healthy Carbohydrates

Did you know that carbohydrates can affect stress levels? If you’re feeling the holiday blues and need foods to boost you, you should consider adding healthy carbohydrates to your daily diet. With the growing popularity of low-carb diets, it’s common to fear eating carbs.

However, studies suggest a link between poor nutrition and stress-related conditions. Carbohydrates play a crucial role in producing energy and regulating blood sugar levels. You can add whole grains like oats to keep your energy levels up and keep up with your planned holiday activities.

Fish

Various types of fish are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, and zinc, to name a few. Combining these nutrients provides benefits that aim to enhance your immune system’s response. The type of Omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish like sardines is vital for supporting healthy brain cell function.

Most importantly, fatty fish, is an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and can improve your intake of vitamin D. A recommended dose of vitamin D regulates healthy bones, muscles, and teeth. Plus, it can help reduce the risk of mental health illnesses such as depression.

Leafy Greens

When you include leafy green vegetables like spinach, you can improve your immune system by decreasing inflammation and promoting cell repair and recovery. These vegetables contain essential minerals and vitamins like folate, magnesium, and vitamin C. They should be a significant part of your diet even during the holidays.

 

Spinach is a popular and readily available type of leafy, green vegetable. You can include it in your salads, smoothies, and sauces. Additionally, it contains enough folate that improves your body’s production of red blood cells.

Poultry

The role of poultry meat in human nutrition is linked to its high protein content. Compared to most types of meat, it is low in trans fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease. Including more poultry in your holiday menu, such as chicken and eggs, can benefit you and your loved ones.

 

How you cook is the key to gaining the most health benefits from poultry. For instance, consider grilling your chicken without the skin instead of deep frying it. The advantages of substituting red meat for poultry include:

  • Healthier bones and stronger muscles.
  • Better weight management.
  • It can boost serotonin levels, commonly known as “the feel-good” hormone.
  • High-quality protein.

 

In conclusion, it is crucial to give your body the nutrients it requires to keep up with your busy holiday schedule. You should try to add more healthy meal alternatives despite the desire to indulge in tasty treats and comfort food around this time. Your Affinity Health plan provides access to a healthcare screening to determine what your body needs to ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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