December 2006 Cut to the chase…for a healthy diet oaded with antioxidants. Certified organic. Low sodium. No trans fats…and on and on. With all the emphasis on improving the American diet, we are bombarded with buzzwords in our supermarket aisles. And even if we do figure out which foods are the best for us, chances are we will not start eating pomegranates on a daily basis. Here are a few suggestions for healthier eating based on the common foods and drinks in our daily diet. Drink coffee—but not too much. Coffee beans are the leading source of antioxidants in the American diet. So it’s not a bad way to start the day. Moderation is the key. Too much coffee can cause stomach irritation, faster heart rate and higher blood pressure (not to mention all those calories in the specialty coffee drinks). Drink freshly brewed tea. Black, green and herbal teas contain antioxidant compounds called flavonoids, which are especially helpful for people suffering from arthritis inflammation. Green teas contain the most flavonoids. But whatever tea you drink, the benefits are greatest if it’s freshly brewed. In restaurants, ask for a tea bag. Eat mushrooms. Common white button mushrooms are widely available, inexpensive, easy to cook with and a rich source of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that is unaffected by cooking. So mushrooms deliver their full nutritional benefit cooked or raw. Look for yellow and orange produce. The antioxidant beta crytoxanthin is plentiful in orange and yellow vegetables and fruits—squash, carrots, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, pumpkin, cantaloupe, grapefruit, tangerines, mangoes, oranges, peaches, pineapples and apples. Spice is nice but don’t overdo it. Ginger and turmeric (in curry) are well known as healthy ingredients. “Just because a little is good, it doesn’t mean a lot is better,” says dietitian Andrea Dunn of The Cleveland Clinic. For example, ginger is an anticoagulant that can interfere with blood thinners and certain medications for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Give fish oil a chance. We need fish in our diet for the omega-3 and other fatty oils they contain. But if you do not like or want to eat fish, you might try taking a daily fish oil supplement. It too can act as a blood thinner, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before taking any supplement. —Adapted from the Arthritis Advisor Cut to the chase…for a healthy diet (click) Can drinking wine make you live longer? (click) Kids will eat what’s put in front of them (click)     Front Page Feature | Interchange | Research Review | Elder Issues | Parenting On the Job | We Recommend | Home