Healthy eating is important to everyone, but certain foods are especially good for problems that affect women, such as brittle bones, pregnancy, and breast cancer, to name a few. These “superfoods” are rich in nutrients (often more than one!) That will help protect your body and keep it working well, even as you age.
Edamame
These tasty soy pods are packed with fiber, good fats, and estrogen-like compounds called isoflavones. Isoflavones can be your friend during menopause. For example, they can help ease hot flashes. (However, if you’ve had breast cancer, you may need to avoid it.)
Kale
These leafy greens contain a lot of vitamin K, which along with calcium and vitamin D help keep bones strong and healthy. One serving has more than 20% of the recommended daily amounts of vitamins A and C.
Asparagus
Do you want another way to get vitamin K to strengthen your bones? Asparagus is your best option. Take half a cup and voila: you have a third of what you need for the day. It’s also packed with folic acid, which helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida.
Beans
They are high in protein and low in fat. They are also rich in fiber. They can lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate, preventing heart disease.
Grapefruit
It contains “flavonoids” which help reduce the likelihood of certain types of strokes in women and can also help your heart. (Oranges work too, but grapefruit has less sugar.) Grapefruit may not be a good match with your medication, so check with your doctor before including it in your diet.
Berries and Cherries
They’re not just pretty in pink … and purple, red, and blue. These fruits have flavonoids and antioxidants, which can protect healthy cells from damage. Berries help keep your brain sharper as you age. Plus, you need its vitamin C to make collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm and smooth.
Papaya
Its orange-red color comes from beta-carotene (the content of carrots) and lycopene (also in tomatoes and watermelon). Lycopene reduces the chance of getting breast and cervical cancer. It is also an antioxidant and keeps cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels to help prevent heart disease.
Low-fat plain yogurt
As we age, our body’s requirements for calcium are higher. Yogurt has a lot of calcium; just 8 ounces will provide more than a third of your daily requirement. Look for the kind enriched with vitamin D, to help your body make better use of the mineral.
Source: WebMD
