The magnificent seven for 2007

If you can’t face a full blown detox after your blow out this festive season, then get healthy the easy way and add these seven superfoods to your diet instead. Most of them are in season meaning they are even more packed with nutrients to get you raring to go in 2007

Beetroot
A good source of potassium and magnesium and high in soluble fibre­—which helps reduce blood cholesterol—beetroot is incredibly heart-friendly. In addition, it contains antioxidants that help prevent LDL cholesterol—the bad cholesterol—from being oxidised and forming plaques in the arteries. It is a particularly good food for those who want to watch their waistline as it is fat free, low in calories and has a low glycemic load (GL) which means that it is converted into energy slowly and so helps keep blood sugar levels stable thereby preventing hunger pangs and cravings.

Pears
Rich in the soluble fibre pectin, pears are a great post-Christmas detoxifier—helping to take toxins and cholesterol out of the body. As well as being a good source of phosphorous and vitamins A and C, pears are also low on the glycemic index, helping to keep blood sugar levels steady, which makes them another great food for dieters wanting to lose that post Christmas bulge.

Pomegranates
Pomegranates have enjoyed a lot of press coverage recently and rightly so. Brimming with vitamins A, C, E and iron, scientists in Israel have found that the juice contains three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea and that drinking a daily glass of the stuff reduces the risk of heart disease. Like beetroot, it is the antioxidants that protect cholesterol from oxidation thus preventing hardening of the arteries. And early findings also suggest that drinking pomegranate juice also helps protect against cancer—what better reasons to enjoy a glass with breakfast?

Brussel Sprouts
Brussel Sprouts are for life, not just Christmas. As well as being delicious they are full of goodness, if not overcooked. They belong to a family of vegetables called the brassica’s which include broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage and are rich in glycosinolates believed to help protect against cancer. But that’s not all. These little beauties are high in fibre and packed with vitamins C, D and folic acid. Weight for weight, Brussel sprouts contain more vitamin C than an orange—no wonder Captain Cook made his crew eat them to protect against scurvy.

Jerusalem artichokes
Well known for their wind-producing properties, Jerusalem artichokes don’t have the best reputation. But if you can bear a little flatulence, this vegetable (actually a member of the sunflower family) is a good source of vitamin C, phosphorous, potassium and iron and comes with a number of health benefits. Rich in inulin, a starch that feeds good bacteria, including Jerusalem artichokes in your diet can help promote good intestinal health. These ugly tubers are also pretty good at eliminating toxins from the body and balancing blood sugar levels. 

Mackerel
The benefits of oily fish like mackerel are well documented. They are full of omega 3 essential fats, which help protect against heart disease, cancer, depression, dementia and inflammation associated with arthritis. There are concerns about mercury levels found in some large fish such as shark and swordfish but in general, smaller fish such as mackerel (not King mackerel) have much lower levels. To be on the safe side but to glean the benefits of the omega 3 fats, you should aim to eat one or two portions of oily fish a week.

Venison
For those who love their meat, venison, which is low in fat, is a great alternative to beef and lamb. Wild venison in particular has a healthy ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fats that have benefits as mentioned above – helping to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer. It is also a good source of B vitamins needed for energy and mental health, as well as iron, phosphorous, zinc and selenium.