Written by: Jan Carla M. Santos 10/07/2011 9:50 AM
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make on a camping trip is to pack a whole stash of unhealthy food. Just because you're away from home doesn't mean your family's health should be on vacation, too. Some of the most popular camping food that Americans eat are hot dogs, canned chili and pre-packed foods that are loaded with salt, sugar, fat and preservatives. Some even choose to just grab something on the road and buy fast food - really not a good idea! What most campers and RVers don't realize is that it is easy to pack in loads of nutrients into their camping meals, especially when super foods are involved. Super foods? No idea what super foods are? You may not have heard about super foods, but you do see them all the time.
Super foods aren't called super for nothing. Aside from containing the healthy vitamins and minerals, they also contain high levels of antioxidants, fiber and essential fatty acids. These properties translate to health-boosting benefits like :
And you know yet another great thing about super foods? They can be found in your local supermarket! So take note of these delicious Fall super foods and load them in your grocery cart the next time you go food shopping:
Pumpkin
Here's a bit of a trivia about pumpkin: it is a fruit and not a vegetable, belonging to the gourd family along with melon and cantaloupe. Pumpkin pie is popular around Thanksgiving, and even more so as an ornamental piece during Halloween. But, here's a reason why you should include this in your diet instead of just holiday staples: it reduces the risk of heart disease and a great number of cancers like bladder, breast, cervical, colon, lung and skin. These illnesses can be avoided, thanks to the abundance of carotenoids in a pumpkin. This fall-season fruit is also rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E. Click here for yummy pumpkin recipes.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts
Fall is the season when these cruciferous vegetables come out crisp and fresh. Kids are known to run away in horror from these vegetables, so you might want to try out this delicious broccoli recipe. It may also help to tell your children about these veggies' amazing health benefits like strengthening the immune system, lowers risk of heart disease, builds bone and teeth and reduces risk of cataracts. Cruciferous vegetables are abundant in fiber, calcium, vitamin C and polyphenol.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are sweetest during the fall season and are loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B6, polyphenols and potassium. Pomegranates have been shown to reduce blood pressure because of its phytochemical properties. They are great as snack, marinade or as a refreshing drink.
Sweet potatoes
If you're a big fan of potatoes, you may think of replacing them with sweet potatoes in your dishes. Most people find sweet potatoes even more delicious than regular potatoes and with its added health benefits, there is no reason to snob these root crops. Sweet potatoes are low in calories but high in fiber content, making it a great choice for satisfying hunger. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and potassium. Try this delectable mashed sweet potatoes recipe on your next camping trip.
Chestnuts
Instead of bringing bags of potato chips and whatever junk food, stock up on chestnuts for snacking. These nuts are known for bringing a youthful appearance to the skin, strengthening the immune system and are even suspected to help fight lung cancer. Rich in vitamin B6 and fiber, snacking on chestnuts helps keep you full for an extended period of time.
It is important to keep your family nourished when you go camping or RVing, especially when you have plenty of activities planned. Stock up on these Fall super foods to keep your family healthy, energized and satisfied.
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