Power Food Combos

Apr 17th, 2012

I am a big believer in listening to your body. It will always tell you what you need it’s only a matter of paying attention. It turns out that these power food combos are deeply rooted in are instincts. You are probably already eating these foods together and there is a reason why. It’s called ‘food synergy’. Two particular foods eaten together can actually deliver more health benefits than either one could alone. Researchers believe we inherently crave certain food combinations to protect and nourish our bodies. Here is a list of the food combos from the Hungry Beast…

Tomatoes & Olive Oil

Simple and delicious. Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. But lycopene is also fat-soluble, which means combining it with a healthy, monounsaturated fat like olive oil helps boost absorption even more. Technique: Sautéed tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper make a great fresh pasta sauce; but you can also whip up a quick Caprese salad by adding some mozzarella and basil to sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.

Green Tea & Lemon

Confession: I just started drinking green tea. I have known about its health benefits for some time but avoided it because I just never thought of myself as a tea drinker. It’s a fantastic mid-afternoon pick me up. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, revs up metabolism, and keeps you hydrated. When drunk with lemon, its benefits become turbocharged—your body absorbs 13 times as many more antioxidants than when consumed on its own. Are you sold?

Orange Juice & Oatmeal

A breakfast classic and the kids love it too! The combination of these morning basics hasactually been shown to prevent heart attacks and clean arteries twice as effectively as ingesting either one on its own. The organic compounds known as phenols (found in both) stabilize cholesterol levels when consumed together. Tip: Instant oatmeal is often processed with added sugars, salt, and colorings, so go for old-fashioned rolled oats.

Apples & Red Wine

This combination puzzled me at first but then I read one way to combine the two foods is with booze. Sounds good to me. Apples contain an anti-inflammatory flavonoid called quercetin, while red wine contains the flavonoid catechin. Together, they work to prevent blood clots and improve cardiovascular functioning. Try 5-Star Sangria for a healthy bit of boozing.

Beef & Carrots

Did you automatically think of stew? Try this amazing curry recipe instead. When you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, this mix that will boost your immune function. The Vitamin A in the carrots is best absorbed when bound to a protein. Plus, the beef delivers an extra dose of zinc, which protects against weakening of the immune system.

Garlic & Fish

These two flavors were made for each other, and when combined, the cholesterol-reducing fish oils and heart-healthy garlic can act as an anti-inflammatory agent. My family prefers our calamari without breading. Try this grilled calamari recipe to combine the garlic and fish.