Foods that keep us healthy

By Staff
Suzanne Langcuster
For those of you who didn't read the American Profile section of the Franklin County Times this last Sunday, we wanted to call your attention to a great story on what America eats.
Writing a food column makes me look closely at magazines, columns, articles; even the packaging on food items.
In last Sunday's edition of American Profile the magazine had an article by Nina Planck on "super foods."
These foods function as health boosting agents.
The foods listed are immune boosters, they fight obesity, help diabetes, help prevent heart disease, inhibit cancer cells, protect skin from damaging agents, prevent nerve damage and are rich in iron.
They are also easy to find.
The foods listed are
Coconut milk
Grass-fed beef
Cinnamon
Raw Honey and Molasses
Olive Oil
Several of these foods are commonly used in our area. Fresh coconut milk is usually easy to find during the holiday season.
I remember when we were children; we would puncture a fresh coconut to drink the milk before we grated it for mother's wonderful coconut cake.
The coconut milk was very tasty. It's also good for heart health.
Cinnamon in your favorite pies and cookies is an anti-inflammatory and it inhibits cancer cells.
Raw honey and molasses aid digestion.
Put two tablespoons of honey in a cup with juice of half a lemon.
Add water until the cup is full and heat for about a minute in the microwave. It is wonderful for a cough.
Olive oil lowers the risk of heart disease and nuts are rich in antioxidants.
Walnuts fight obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Grass-fed beef makes beef much like wild fed game that our ancestors ate. It also contains less fat.
Thanks to Nina Planck for giving us vital information that could extend our lives.
Suzanne Langcuster is a food writer for the Franklin County Times.