Laurel on Health Food

Women’s Health Magazine reports that some food and drinks will boost your immune system and help you avoid getting sick.

Chamomile tea - polyphenols in the tea increase antibacterial blood activity
Steel-cut oats - packed with beta-glucans (fiber) that activate white blood cell activity
Salad dressing w/healthy fats (ex. olive oil & balsamic vinegar) - fat is essential [...]

Cooking Light Magazine writes that 26 of the 30 grams of fat in an avocado are heart-healthy, unsaturated fats that can increase your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. These healthy fats help the body absorb vital fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, E and beta-carotene.

Ref: Cooking Light Magazine, May 2007, p. 30

Mark’s Daily Apple reports that olives are one of the healthiest foods to eat.  Although they are high in calories for a fruit, olives are concentrated in monounsaturated fats (good fats) and have lots of vitamin E, fiber, and minerals such as copper.  Mark’s Daily Apple recommends tossing olives into salads, scrambled eggs, and baked [...]

Whfoods.org reported on the health benefits of walnuts. A quarter cup of walnuts has 90.8% of the daily value of omega 3 fatty acids. Some of the nutriontal benefits of eating walnuts are:

cardiovascular protection from the large amount of omega 3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats
improved cognitive function
anti-inflammatory benefits that can help relieve [...]

WHFoods.org reports that almonds are great for your heart because they have high levels of monounsaturated fats (the good fats that reduce the level of bad fats) and the antioxidant, vitamin E. Research from the Nurses Health Study estimates that replacing an equal amount of carbohydrates with nuts in an average diet reduces the [...]