Bite This, Not That

Combining Foods

Its peak growing season and locally grown produce is readily available. Farmer's Markets have been stocked with berries, cherries, melons, beans, greens and corn. The peppers and tomatoes are ready to be picked! It's the perfect time to maximize your body's ability to absorb all the nutrients in the fresh produce you are eating.

This can be achieved by combining foods. Eating some foods with other foods can result in many of the nutrients being more readily absorbed and used by the body. The easiest way to ensure you are maximizing the nutrient absorption of your food is to eat a variety of colorful food combined with a small amount of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (avocado, canola oil, nuts, or olive oil).

The next time you are planning your meals, why not try a few of these combinations:
  • Leafy green vegetables and citrus fruit or berries. The vitamin C in the fruit helps your body absorb the iron in the greens.

  • Broccoli and tomatoes. Their cancer-fighting abilities are greater when eaten together.

  • Tomatoes and olive oil. By combining the two your body can better absorb the carotenoids contained in tomatoes. Carotenoids are cancer-fighting compounds that are precursors to vitamin A. Tomatoes are also an excellent source of lycopene – a nutrient found to reduce risk of prostate and ovarian cancer.

  • Salad and monounsaturated fat. The heart healthy fats found in avocadoes, canola oil, nuts or olive oil will increase the absorption of the antioxidants found in your leafy greens.

Current Bite This, Not That
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Archived Bite This, Not That
Simply Red! Bite this for better heart health!
Foods High in Palmitic Acid
Holiday Salad
Sound Swaps
For Prostate Cancer Prevention
Packing Kid's Lunch
Combining Foods
Summer Salads
Bite this ... when cooking on the grill
Better Blood Pressure
Snacks
Salad Sense
Valentine's Day Chocolate
Football Party Snacks
Hot Cereals
In Your Face!
Beating Breast Cancer
Fiber-Fortified Foods
High Protein, Post Workout Snacks
Drink This, Not That
Summer Barbeque
What's better to buy and eat; berries or grapes?
What's Lunch Got to Do With It?
There's a new grain in town, and it ain't brown rice!
In a hurry? Grab a bagel and low fat cream cheese for breakfast... it's healthy, right?
Fresh vs. Canned or Frozen