These Foods Pack a Mighty Punch of Antioxidants

Antioxidants work wonders in your body!  In our body, we have unstable, harmful molecules known as free radicals that, if left in this unstable stage, can cause severe damage to cells and can eventually lead to serious health complications like cancer, heart disease, etc.  Antioxidants help stabilize these free radicals, thus preventing damage in the body.  Most well know antioxidants include: vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, lycopene, and selenium.  The best way to guarantee you are receiving these powerhouse antioxidants is by eating plenty of fruits and veggies.  A good thing to remember is to eat the colors of the rainbow… eat fruits and veggies in every color of the rainbow.  This will ensure you are receiving all the antioxidants your body can handle.

Examples of antioxidant food sources

Vitamin A and Beta-carotene
Food sources: fortified cereals, broccoli, carrots, tomato juice, beef liver, sweet potatoes, mango

Vitamin C
Food sources: bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, green leafy veggies, kiwi, broccoli

Vitamin E
Food sources: fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, oils, green leafy veggies

Lycopene
Foods sources: tomatoes, tomato processed foods, watermelon, grapefruit

Selenium
Foods sources: Brazil nuts, meats, tuna, eggs, fish

Make it a point to eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole-wheat.  This will help guarantee you are getting plenty of nutrients and the antioxidants your body needs!