Edamame are immature soybeans still in the pod that are commonly eaten boiled or steamed. Soybeans are considered a legume and have long been a staple in Asian cuisine. From a nutritional standpoint edamame are rich in vitamins and minerals including folate and Vitamin K. Additionally, soybeans are high in protein and a great plant-based source of protein. Edamame are great on top of salads, eaten as a snack, or added to a stir fry!
It’s gorgeous, it’s delicious, it’s purple… it’s the humble beet!!
This super veggie has an impressive nutritional profile. Beets boast many health and well-being benefits including
-Helpful plant compounds that can reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage.
-Increase stamina by helping your heart and lungs work better during exercise.
Rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps play a key role in controlling damage to blood vessels. This can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
-Lowers blood pressure as it’s naturally high in nitrates.
High in fiber and promotes the good bacteria in your gut.
At Metabolic Balance you learn what nutrition is best for you, but also so much more about everyday foods and the benefits they can bring you. Such as this beautiful purple superfood!
Turmeric is generally known for its bright yellow color and the wow factor it adds to curries, but its real claim to fame is actually its extraordinary anti-inflammatory value. The spice’s inflammation-fighting magic is largely due to its primary active ingredient – curcumin. This bioactive compound is also a strong antioxidant and offers a number of major benefits for our brains and bodies. Chronic inflammation contributes to a number of common health conditions, so curcumin might also help with issues such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis. Curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body, however black pepper contains a compound called piperine that boosts curcumin absorption. This one of the reasons why many recipes or products with turmeric have black pepper as an ingredient. Do you have turmeric in your spice cabinet?
Credit: Metabolic Balance Australia and New Zealand
Nutritional yeast just as the name suggests is a type of fungi called Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is a food product that has increased in popularity in recent years. It is the same type of yeast used to make bread but unlike in baking yeast, nutritional yeast is no longer alive in the final product. Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy, and savory flavor which is one of the reasons it is commonly used in plant-based cooking. In addition to having a great flavor, nutritional yeast is great for your health. It is considered a complete protein as it contains all 9 essential amino acids that humans cannot synthesize on their own. Additionally, it is packed with B vitamins and trace minerals that are important for the body. Consider trying out this great ingredient by sprinkling it over salads, adding it to soups, or trying out a new recipe.
Photo: Love and Lemons
The sunflower seed, as the name implies, is the seed of the beautiful, yellow sunflower. The actual seeds are encased by a thick black and white shell and are known for their nutty flavor. Sunflower seeds have many different uses, they can be eaten raw, roasted, made into seaaed butter, or used to make sunflower oil. In terms of nutritional benefits, sunflower seeds are great source of healthy fats containing both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and are a source of antioxidants. In the kitchen, this seed is extremely versatile! It can be used to top salads, used to make a mandelade, added to oatmeal, or to top avocado toast.
Photo: Unsplash
The trace element zinc is strongly involved in metabolism. It supports wound healing, promotes vision in combination with vitamin A, controls hormonal balance, promotes regeneration of skin and hair, supports the pancreas in the production of insulin and finally, zinc strengthens the immune system by performing important functions in the production of defense cells. Zinc deficiency can be prevented by including more often red meat, seafood, dairy products, wheat germ, oatmeal, Brazil nuts, mushrooms and lentils in the diet.
In the winter months viruses such as RSV, the flu, and SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly and many of us get sick! The best solution for great health is to prevent getting sick in the first place, and certain foods can help you do that by boosting your immune system.
If you’re looking for food to help keep your family healthy during flu season, make sure to include these eight powerful immune system boosters on your grocery list.
✅ Citrus fruits
✅ Broccoli
✅ Garlic
✅ Ginger
✅ Spinach
✅ Turmeric
✅ Papaya
✅ Kiwi
Variety might be the spice of life, but it’s also the secret to good nutrition. Including one of these in your diet often won’t be enough to help fight off the flu or other infections, so ensuring you get a well-rounded mix is key.
Pay close attention to serving sizes and suggested daily intake to avoid getting too much of one vitamin and too little of others.
Worldwide, chronic inflammatory diseases have increased considerably in recent years. This is a frightening trend, as it has been shown that there are close links between chronic inflammation and diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke or cancer.
Nutrition plays a key role in this. Our body has a sophisticated immune system that helps it fend off attackers. It is able to fight pathogens and produce anti-inflammatory compounds. In order to support the body, however, we also need to provide it with the right foods and/or ingredients. With the right nutrition, we can help it to get and stay healthy. Conversely, the wrong nutrition can make us sick or at least put additional strain on us.
General dietary recommendations and rules, such as paying attention to weight, eating less fat and sweets, are usually not enough. Healthy eating and lifestyles also include thinking about and rethinking overconsumption and the composition and quality of food. Highly processed foods with plenty of additives, isolated carbohydrates and sugars, low-quality oils and little to no vitamins and minerals – fuel inflammatory processes in the body.
Natural foods with their colorful mix of vitamins, minerals, secondary plant substances and especially omega-3 fatty acids offer the best protection against inflammation. These can provide excellent help in keeping the body balanced and preventing chronic inflammation.
Often it is small things that alleviate an inflammation or prevent an outbreak at all!
What tips do you have to keep inflammation at bay? We’re looking forward to your comments!
For decades, we’ve been told that losing weight is about calories and sticking to a rigid diet. However, the more we learn, the more clearly we see that this outdated strategy is not only misguided but also inappropriate. Why? Because everyone and every ‘body’ is unique! Things like the type of food you eat, your metabolism and even your gut health have a huge impact on whether you lose weight or not. And therefore, your nutrition should be personalized to YOU. Your uniqueness is our specialty… so stop counting the calories and book a free discovery call with a Metabolic Balance coach today!
This delicious curry is packed full of delicious flavors and perfect for any lunch or dinner!
Ingredients (1 serving):
1 portions of vegetables (ex: mushrooms, leeks, onion or cauliflower)
1 chicken breasts (according to your protein weight)
1 tsp of turmeric
1 tsp of mild or medium curry powder
1 tsp of Garam Masala
1/2 tsp of ground cumin
1/2 tsp of ground ginger
1 cloves of garlic
Vegetable stock
Preparation:
If you are using cauliflower, parboil the florets and keep the water you boiled them in. Heat the spices in a dry pan until fragrant. Add garlic and the vegetables and coat with spices. Add some oil (if using – phase 3), and pour in some vegetable stock to deglaze the pan. Cook covered for a few minutes until spices and liquid are well combined and the vegetables are coated evenly. Add the diced chicken. Cook until the chicken is cooked, stirring regularly. Add more vegetable stock or water for a looser sauce. Serve with some toasted rye bread to mop up the juices. Enjoy!
Photo: Metabolic Balance Canada
Metabolic Balance Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.