After years of yo-yo dieting and focusing on ELIMINATING foods, I am finally at a place where I am excited to keep ADDING foods.
As part of my goal to incorporate healthy, whole foods to my diet, I am on a quest to try – and research! – ONE new healthy food per day. Every day I pick a whole food, research it, and journal about it! I thought I would throw my daily random food up here for you all to see.
Why do this? Because learning about food is fun. And understanding the beneficial qualities of foods as you prepare them and consume them makes for a much more grateful and energetically uplifting meal.
Never underestimate the energetic quality of the foods you eat, and the state of mind you are in while preparing and eating your meal! It’s not ALL about calories and carbs… though those do warrant consideration and have their place in a healthy diet, I’ve finally come to realize that it all starts in the head and the heart, yo.
So enough gabbing, let’s learn about artichokes! (Will be having an Artichoke Tossed Salad with Grilled Chicken for lunch today!)
8 Health Benefits of Artichokes
- Artichokes are full of nutrients! Artichokes are chock-full of important nutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron, as well as potassium and antioxidants and a TON of protein, coming in at 3.5 grams per serving!.
- Artichokes are high in fiber. Fiber helps move your digestion along and keeps you feeling full, and it also offers more long-term benefits like a lower risk of heart disease.
- Artichokes work hard to strengthen your gut. Artichokes are full of inulin which is a unique form of fiber known to help prevent gastrointestinal issues and enhance the absorption of minerals like calcium. Inulin also works as a prebiotic, which helps your body maintain a healthy gut.
- Artichokes boost your immune system. The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry ranked artichokes high up on the list of immune-boosting, antioxidant-rich foods!
- Artichokes are naturally high in polyphenols, which can repair damaged cells that impair your immune function and help protect against disease.
- Artichokes have the potential to help treat allergies and asthma and suppress inflammation. Artichokes are an excellent source of folate, which is a B vitamin that researchers have found to be potentially beneficial in reducing inflammation that causes allergies and asthma.
- Artichokes can help you to lose weight and lower body fat, due to its low calories and high fiber / protein. This makes you feel full and stay feeling full, so you are nourished and satisfied after eating.
- Artichokes help reduce the risk of cancer. Their flavonoid content helps kill cancer cells, according to a study from Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. Artichokes are among the highest sources of the flavonoid apigenin (a type of plant nutrient) according to the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition.
MY CURRENT WELLNESS JOURNEY STATS
Start Weight (January 1, 2021): 217.8 pounds
Current Weight (June 7, 2021): 174.2 pounds
Total Pounds Lost: 43.6 pounds
Pounds Left to Lose to Reach Goal Weight of 130 pounds: 44.2 pounds
Current Challenge: 21 Day Elevate Your Shower Time Challenge
Current Area of Focus: Loving and cultivating my mind.
