40 Foods That Can Help Your Body Last a Lifetime

Summarized from Nicholas A. Dinubile's Framework

So been reading up on injury prevention and different things that I can do to minimize injury and maximize benefit and one of the things that came up was nutrition. Nutrition is a touchy subject, because I like to learn about it, but I am horrible at practicing it. My favorite post-meet snack was In N Out and I prefer white rice to brown. But I do like salmon and blueberries, so I guess its a mixed bag. But to help maybe increase the good stuff options, here's 40 foods that can help you out in the long run from your little brother or sister to your grandparents and to help you too!

1. Dark chocolate - antioxidants help prevent free radicals - students who took chemistry may recall that free radicals are unpaired electrons that can act as a nucleophile (?) - the one that attacks other molecules like DNA and collagen and cause problems in your body. Plain dark chocolate can help remove free radicals and it also tastes good!

2. Blueberries and strawberries - also antioxidants, plus they're colorful fruits! instead of skittles taste the rainbow, consider tasting the rainbow of nature!

3. Almonds and walnuts - vitamin E, unsaturated fats to prevent inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids - a good post-workout snack or mix it in your breakfast yogurt

4. sunflower seeds - vitamin E, just don't throw your seeds on the floor (pet peeve!!)

5. Pineapple - anti-inflammatory, reduce swelling, bruising, and pain - think another option instead of NSAIDs

6. Honey - antioxidant

7. Ginger - anti-inflamatory

8. green tea - helps with bone growth esp those at risk for osteoporosis, may also have a calming effect

9. mustard - anti-inflammatory, increases circulation

10. soy - beans, milk, tofu = help as antioxidants, reduce muscle soreness and antioxidants

11. Oatmeal - lowers cholesterol, complex carb that helps with digestion, plus a reminder to eat breakfast

12. Dark bread

13. quinoa - complete proteins and minerals

14. buckwheat

15. shrimp and crab - high protein and minerals

16. salmon - omega 3 fatty acid (means that the 3rd to last carbon bond is a trans double bond?)

17. sardines - omega 3

18. pizza - tomatoes with lycopene, olive oil, taste the natural rainbow with onions, mushrooms, olives, and various colors of peppers

19. tuna - omega 3, but beware mercury content

20. Bananas - regulate muscle metabolism, also thought to decrease muscle cramps

21. oranges - muscle soreness fighter

22. cantaloupe - vitamin A, C, and beta carotene - good for your eyes

23. beans - protein and iron - perfect if you want to donate blood

24. carrots - vit a and fiber

25. celery

26. broccoli - potassium and antioxidants, a good replacement for bananas

27. asparagus - vit a and c

28. dark lettuce - vit a and c

29. spinach - vit E, anti-inflammatory, vitamin B complex vitamin - used for red blood cells that carry oxygen

30. skim milk - calcium

31. lean roast beef - B vitamins, iron, zinc

32. chicken

33. natural peanut butter - fiber, folate, and vit E

34. cod liver oil - prevents cartilage damage

35. wine - not for you guys, but maybe your parents, older borhters and sisters - antioxidants that prevents inflamation of coronary arteries

36. pasta - another reason for spaghetti dinners - complex carbs for energy - don't forget the natural rainbow with peppers, brocoli, and peas

37. cherries - anti-inflammatory via nitric oxide and specific proteins

38. grape and pomegrante juice - antioxidants, cleanse your body and stay hydrated

39. apples - bone and joint health

40. smoothies - hydration and natural colors of the rainbow

Since there's so many, even choosing to choose one or two can be helpful in improving your life health. =D