Antioxidants we here about them and that they’re good for us, but what exactly are they? Well antioxidants help build immunity while also fighting diseases. They are also known to increase energy, improve sleep, help with weight loss and improve memory and concentration. So why not sneak as much of these powerful nutrients into our daily diets as possible. Here are five ways to increase your antioxidant intake.
Add Spices and Herbs
Spicy food is good for you. We hear how it helps boost metabolism, but it’s also filled with antioxidants. And it’s not just limited to the painful kind. For example, 1tsp of oregano has 150 units of antioxidants alone. Cinnamon is another antioxidant rich spice that can easily be added in tea and oatmeal. So, add more flavor and spice up a meal to increase both your energy and immunity.
Seed Your Peanut Butter
Nuts are known to already be high in antioxidants, making peanut butter a must have every day. But if you want to amp the nutrient factor even further simply add some seeds into the peanut butter. Not only does this present you with a crunchier, more textured, tastier spread, but it also looks more wholesome. Mix some sunflower, flax, and hemp seeds into some peanut butter and enjoy a truly healthy snack that will keep you up and focused all day long.
Add White Beans to Your Smoothies
White beans? Blended? Into a drink? It may sound gross, but the health benefits of adding this tasteless item into your smoothies is definitely worth the try. Not only will you not taste them, but you will also find your smoothie to be creamier, with the added benefit of antioxidants. It’s a nutrient hack that’s just too easy to not try.
Frozen Berries
Berries can be expensive; however, they are the foods with some of the highest counts of antioxidants. That’s why frozen berries are the way to go. Not only are they more affordable all year round, but they are also more nutrient dense than their fresh counterpart. One cup of berries has 650 units of antioxidants. Hence, next time you have a cold, opt for a berry smoothie or add some berries into your oatmeal. It’s the sweetest way to get those disease fighting nutrients into your system.
Foul (Pinto Beans)
Yes, Foul. This classic Egyptian dish (also known as pinto beans) is one of the top five ways to get antioxidants into your day. It is one of the top five foods overall to have antioxidants, alongside red beans and blue berries. It can be found at any grocery store and is a filling and delicious meal in its own right. With this one, there’s really no excuse to not get antioxidants into your day.
Nour Ibrahim