3 Reasons To Eat Sardines!

Not only are sardines delicious, filling, and convenient (you can find canned sardines almost anywhere), they are also packed with nutrients! Here are three great reasons to eat sardines!

1. Sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids is linked to numerous health benefits. According to the book, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What You Should Eat and Why, "Epidemiologic studies in the United States report that a mere 1/2 gram a day of these fats can significantly decrease cardiovascular risk. Omega-3s help with mood, thinking, circulation, and glucose and insulin metabolism; they lower blood pressure; and they protect against heart disease." 

3 Good Reasons To Eat More Eat Omega-3 Fatty Acids!

2. Sardines are rich in calcium. Not only is calcium essential for strong bones and teeth, it's also important for your muscles, blood clotting, and nervous system. It also plays an important role in the release of hormones. Not getting enough calcium can lead to weakened bones and an increased risk of osteoporosis. 

3. Sardines are a good source of selenium. Selenium is an important cancer-fighting mineral. 

While sardines are a very healthy food to eat, it is worth noting that you avoid sardines that are packed in vegetable oil, which is often highly processed and terrible for you. Looked for sardines packed in their own oil, olive oil, or tomato or mustard sauce.  
We hope you found this information helpful. Don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

What 100 Calories of Fruit Really Looks Like

Check out this video by POPSUGAR Fitness to see what 100-calorie portions of your favorite fruits look like! 

Eat Groovy Q&A: Are Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Better For You Than Frozen Ones?

Question: Are Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Better For You Than Frozen Ones?

Answer: No need to feel guilty about buying your veggies frozen! According to SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven Pratt, "Fresh isn't always best. Some canned or frozen vegetables often have the same nutritional content as fresh. Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually flash-frozen just after being harvested, so their nutrients are locked in. Many are available already chopped, which saves you a prep step."

5 Orange Foods To Eat More Of! (Sorry, Cheetos Didn't Make The List!)

Several fruits and vegetables get their bright orange color from a powerful nutrient called beta carotene. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that can be converted by the body into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important for good health, especially your vision. Because of its antioxidant properties, beta carotene is thought to have powerful anti-cancer properties. It may also help to enhance your immune system and help protect your skin from sun damage. Check out these five beta carotene rich foods and see why else they are good for you!

1) Cantaloupe

In addition to beta carotene, cantaloupe is a great source of the important nutrients vitamin C and potassium. To learn more about why these so good for you check out Why is Getting Enough Vitamin C So Important? and Why Potassium Is Important & Which Foods To Get It From!

2) Pumpkin

In addition to being a great source of both beta-carotene and alpha carotene, pumpkin is a low calorie source of fiber, potassium, selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. In SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven Pratt, M.D., pumpkin is called "one of the most nutritionally valuable foods known to man"! If you're interested in trying some delicious new pumpkin recipes, check out this Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie Recipe, Pumpkin Pancake Recipe, or Light Pumpkin Bread From Cooking Light!

3) Carrots

In addition to beta carotene, carrots are a good source of fiber, manganese, niacin, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. 

Fun Fact: Carrots were originally purple, red white, and yellow. The orange carrot was invented by the Dutch by crossbreeding red and yellow carrots in honor of the Dutch royal family. For a few more fun facts about carrots check out 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Carrots!

4. Sweet Potatoes

In addition to beta carotene, sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, B6, manganese, potassium, and fiber. Also, sweet potatoes may enhance your memory! According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "Rats who ate purple-fleshed sweet potatoes showed significant improvement in cognitive function, which may be attributed to the anthocyanins present in the potato." More studies are needed to determine if this also applies to humans, but those results are certainly promising! 

5. Oranges

In addition to being a great source of vitamin C, oranges contain citrus flavonoids that have numerous potential health benefits. According to SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, "Citrus flavonoids have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, strengthen capillaries, act as anti-inflammatories, and they antiallergenic and antimicrobial. Flavonoid intake is inversely associated with the incidence of heart attack and stroke as well as a host of other ailments."

Why Citrus Fruits May Be One Of The Best Cancer Fighting Food Types

Promising studies suggest that naturally occurring substances in citrus fruits may have powerful cancer fighting properties. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "In laboratory tests, citrus limonoids have been shown to fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon, and human neuroblastoma tumors, which occur most often in children. Next to cranberries, lemons exerted the highest antiproliferation activities on vitro human liver cancer cells. Because of limonoids' ability to stay in the bloodstream for an extended period of time, researchers believe that they may be better suited for suppressing cancer cell growth than other nutrients (In comparison, phenols in green tea typically stay in one's system for only four to six hours)." 

3 Potential Health Benefits of Red Wine

You've probably heard the good news by now. Drinking red wine (in moderation!) is good for you! Here are three of the potential health benefits. Cheers!

1) Red wine may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. According to SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven Pratt and Kathy Matthews, "Recent research has concentrated on the ability of flavonoids in wine to play an active role in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease. The extremely high level of polyphenols in red wine, which is about twenty to fifty times higher than white wine, is due to the incorporation of the grape skins in the fermenting process. The polyphenols in grape skins are known to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a critical event in the process of the development of coronary artery disease."

2) Red wine may be anti-aging. The deep red color of red wine comes from an important flavonoid called resveratrol. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that may help to slow the aging process by helping to protect cell walls from free radical damage. 

3) Red wine may reduce inflammation. According to http://www.healthdiaries.com/, "Resveratrol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps overall physical health since many diseases and ailments can be attributed to inflammation."

We hope you found this information helpful. Be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

3 Reasons To Eat Pistachios

1. Pistachios Are Great For Cardiovascular Health! According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, 

"One study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, specifically investigated pistachio nuts and concluded that eating pistachio nuts instead of other dietary fat calories improved lipid profiles and decreased coronary risk. A second study, published recently in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Disease, indicated that the consumption of pistachio nuts decreased oxidative stress and improved both total cholesterol and HDL ("good") cholesterol in healthy volunteers."

2. Pistachios Are Good For Your Skin! Pistachios are rich in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from damaging free radicals and helps to prevent premature aging.

3. Pistachios Are A Great Source of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is essential for healthy blood, a healthy nervous system, and a healthy immune system. It can also play an important role in influencing your mood. Check out Vitamin B6: Benefits, Sources, and RDA if you'd like to learn more.

We hope you found this information helpful. Be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Goat Cheese!

1. The distinctive taste and smell of goat cheese is due to the three fatty acids found in goat cheese: caproic, caprylic, and capric acids. Capra is the Latin word for goat.

2. Goat cheese was eaten in ancient times. In fact, in Homer's famous tale, The Odyssey, Polyphemus makes goat cheese in his cave.

3. Goat cheese is typically easier to digest than cow cheese. 

4. Goat cheese is lighter than cow cheese because it contains less carotene. This is because goats digest carotene more efficiently than cows.  

5. Goat cheese is sometimes known as chevre which is the French word for goat.

3 Great Reasons To Eat Kiwifruit!

1. Kiwifruit Is High In Vitamin C. Kiwifruit has twice the vitamin C as oranges and one of the highest vitamin C contents of any fruit! Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for good health. It helps produce collagen, strengthens the immune system, helps the body heal wounds, and helps the body maintain healthy bones, teeth, gums, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps to protect the body against diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Vitamin C also plays a role in helping the body to properly use other important vitamins and minerals such as folic acid and iron.

For more Vitamin C rich foods check out this List Of 10 Foods Very High In Vitamin C!

2. Kiwifruit May Promote Heart Health

According to research at the University of Olso in Norway kiwifruit may work as blood thinner and reduce the risk of blood clots (with none of the negative side effects of medication such as aspirin). For more information on this study, check out this article: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Kiwi-lowers-blood-clot-risk.

3. Kiwifruit Is Very Nutrient Dense Compared To Other Fruits

According to The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, "A study conducted at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, evaluated the, nutritional value of twenty-seven different fruits to determine, ounce for ounce, which provides the most nutrition. The results? Kiwifruit with an index of 16, was found to be the most nutrient dense of all fruits." In addition to its high vitamin C content, kiwifruit is a good source of fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

We hope you found this article helpful. Be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

5 Foods You Think Are Healthy, But Aren't

In the video below, Everyday Health gives the scoop on five foods you might want to think twice about including in a healthy diet. Check it out! Also, don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

Eat Groovy Q&A: Are Red Or Green Bell Peppers More Nutritious?

Question: Are red or green bell peppers more nutritious?

Answer: First of all, both red and green bell peppers are very good for you! All varieties of bell peppers are low in calories and high in vitamin C and disease fighting antioxidants. However, in a nutritional face off between the two, red bell peppers are the clear winner! Red bell peppers contain about 1.5 times more vitamin C and about 8 times more vitamin A! Red bell peppers also contain the pigment lycopene which may help to prevent certain cancers and the pigment lutein which may help to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

We hope you found this information helpful. Don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/)! Also click here to subscribe to Eat Groovy via email for lots of great updates and exclusive giveaways.

You may also be interested in:

What Is Lycopene?

List of 10 Foods Very High In Vitamin C

How To Make Super Fast Salmon With Red Pepper Pesto!

Seasonal Eating: 15 Fruits & Vegetables To Eat In Jan/Feb

While many varieties of fruits and vegetables can be found in supermarkets year round, loading up on produce when it is in season is always a smart choice! It's often fresher, better tasting, higher in nutrients, and cheaper. Here are 15 delicious fruits and vegetables to eat in January and February! Also, don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

1) Kale

Spinach vs Kale: Which Is Healthier?

2) Brussels Sprouts

3 Great Reasons To Eat Brussels Sprouts!

3) Cauliflower

How to Make Garlic Roasted Cauliflower - Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe!

4) Grapefruit

5) Turnips

6) Oranges

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Oranges!

7) Tangerines

8) Cabbage

9) Clementines

10) Parsnips

11) Broccoli

5 Reasons Broccoli Is Good For You

12) Beets

13) Pears

14) Leeks

15) Lemons

Why Is Getting Enough Vitamin C So Important?

7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Honey

1. In general, the darker the honey the higher the antioxidant content. The exceptions to this rule are light clover honey (high in antioxidants) and dark mesquite honey (low in antioxidants).

2. Bees work really really hard to make it. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "bees travel an average of 55,000 miles and need to tap over two million flowers just to bring you one pound of honey."

3. Honey should not be fed to babies. Do not feed honey to children under the age of one year because infants lack the ability to kill botulism spores that lie within.

4. Honey may have powerful wound-healing properties. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "A special preparation of honey called Medihoney, known for its high antibacterial properties, was used in treating wound care in Children's Hospital in Bonn, Germany, for three years. Researchers observed significant reductions in even the most resistant wound infections as a result of using the honey preparation."

5. Pasteurized and processed honey has fewer nutrients. Many of the health-promoting nutrients and enzymes are destroyed by high-heat processing. Seek out raw, unfiltered honey to get the most health benefits.

6. Consuming local honey is thought to help to relieve allergies. The idea is that you will gradually build up a resistance to pollen.

7. Honey masks may help treat acne. Honey is a natural antiseptic and may help to reduce breakouts caused by bacteria. Check out this Anti Acne Honey Cinnamon Mask Tutorial or The Best Natural Face Scrub For Winter! 

We hope you enjoyed learning about honey! Don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/eatgroovy/) and subscribe via email here!

Dr. Mercola Interviews Dr. Holick about Vitamin D

Eat Groovy Q & A: Why Is Garlic Good For Your Heart?

Question: Why Is Garlic Good For Your Heart?

Answer: Studies suggest that garlic can help to lower cholesterol and thin the blood. According to The Best Things You Can Eat: For Everything from Aches to Zzzz, the Definitive Guide to the Nutrition-Packed Foods that Energize, Heal, and Help You Look Great by David Grotto, "Garlic lowers LDL by 

dampening the activity of the main cholesterol-producing enzyme in the liver. Eating as little as a clove a day has been shown to rev up the body's ability to dissolve blood clots, which can precipitate a heart attack by sealing off plaque-filled arteries."

Garlic Recipes To Try:
How to Make Garlic Roasted Cauliflower - Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe!
Broccoli Gratin Recipe
How To Make Delicious Grilled Veggie Kabobs

More Eat Groovy Q&A:
Eat Groovy Q & A: Are Steel-Cut Oats Healthier For You Than Rolled Oats?
Eat Groovy Q & A: Can Spicy Mustard Boost Your Metabolism?
Eat Groovy Q&A: Does Frozen Yogurt Contain Live Cultures?

Don't forget to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) !

5 Potential Health Benefits of Ginger

1. Ginger may help to relieve joint pain. According to The Top 100 Foods for a Younger You: 100 Remedies to Turn Back the Clock by Sarah Merson, "Because ginger is such an effective anti-inflammatory, it is among the most respected herbs for the treatment of joint problems such as arthritis." 

2. Ginger may help to relieve nausea. Ginger has been recommended as an especially great natural remedy for those experiencing motion sickness or morning sickness during pregnancy. In one study of women in the early stages of pregnancy, over half reported a reduction in pregnancy related nausea and vomiting after taking a ginger capsule. Ginger is an extremely safe remedy for pregnant women compared to many antivomiting drugs which can cause severe birth defects. 

3. Ginger may help to treat ovarian cancer. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "Ginger induced apoptis (programmed cell death) and autophagy (cells digesting themselves) in ovarian cancer cells. Ginger was also effective at controlling inflammation, thus stopping the cancer cells from growing." Other studies suggest that ginger may help to treat other types of cancer as well. The cancer fighting properties of ginger are likely due to its powerful antioxidant properties. 

4. Ginger can help to improve the absorption of essential nutrients. Ginger has been long recommended for its ability to help promote healthy digestion. Ginger contains unique enzymes which may help to soothe the stomach lining and break down proteins. Ginger can also help to relieve bloating and stomach cramps. 

5. Ginger may improve circulation. Many people eat more ginger during the winter and holiday season and there may be a good reason to! The circulation stimulating properties of ginger can help to warm you up. The blood thinning qualities of ginger may also help to lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of blood clots.

We hope you found this information helpful! For lots of great healthy eating tips be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and subscribe to our blog via email here.

You may also be interested in:

Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie Recipe!

Why Ginger Is So Good For You?

4 Foods That May Help Relieve Nausea

5 Delicious Ways To Eat Pumpkin Seeds!

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Licorice!

1. When many people think of licorice, they think of certain candies, but the true licorice content in most candy is actually very low. In fact, some do not contain real licorice root at all! Twizzlers aside, real licorice root is a popular herb with some great health benefits.

2. Licorice may help treat certain cancers. According to http://www.ilovelicorice.com/, "Current research conducted at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, supports the use of licorice in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer."

3. In the United States, anise seed is commonly used as a substitute for licorice flavoring, but it is not related to the true licorice plant.

4. Although licorice root can have many health benefits, you should not eat real licorice on a regular basis if you have high blood pressure. The glycyrrhizin content can raise blood pressure.

5. Licorice is the second most prescribed herb in China, with the first being Ginseng.

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Eat Groovy Q & A: Are Steel-Cut Oats Healthier For You Than Rolled Oats?

Question: Are Steel-Cut Oats Healthier For You Than Rolled Oats?

Answer: Not really. The nutritional difference between steel-cut oats and rolled oats is not significant. The protein, carbohydrate, calorie, fiber, fat, calcium, and iron contents are basically the same. Although rolled oats are processed a bit more and flattened this process does not destroy nutrients. Both kinds are very good for you! (See A Few Reasons Oatmeal Is So Good For You! to learn more.)

The kind of oats that you do want to avoid, however, are the instant packet varieties which may contain a lot of added sugar, salt, flavorings, and preservatives.

If you're looking for a new way to eat oatmeal you may be interested in trying this Baked Banana Oatmeal Recipe! It looks delicious, right?

We hope you found this information helpful. Be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EatGroovy) for lots of great healthy eating tips:) Thanks!

This Is 200 Calories

Watch this helpful video by ASAPScience to see what 200 calories looks like for different foods. You might be surprised!