Health Care | Healthy Snacks

Healthy Snacks for Good Health Building a Good Health Care Regime

Working in air-conditioned office makes me :

- Thirsty (i’m sitting next to the aircon, sometimes i feel i’m like a wet sponge whose water is slowly being sap up by the dry environment, so daily head to toe moisturizing is a must-do for me, it is very important to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.. heed my advice and u will not regret when u grow older)

- Sleepy (due to boredom at never ending problem at work.. finally my bad luck year is almost over, Good Riddance!)

- Hungry (could be related to sleepy, or in a nicer way, i have speedy metabolism rate)..

Due to the above 3 factors, it is easy for us to munch and drink (1st cup of coffee) and munch and drink (2nd cup of coffee) while typing away at work..

I always like to munch on a pack of cookies when i’m hungry or when my mouth is feeling siap siap (tasteless) at work, and soon enough it start from occasional to a daily routine.. sometimes i wonder how nice it will be if exercise routine can also be so easily adopted.. hehehe..

Today i wake up feeling Berries in the Air, thus i made up my mind to at least munch on something healthier if really need to munch, so just now during lunch, i bought a pack of dried cranberry and apricot from the pushcart shop.

The cranberry was sweet and addictive, the taste of the apricot appears to be bland in comparison.. For Berries Lovers, you really got to try this!!
So, the next time before you reach for your favorite not-so-nutritious comfort food, remember that choosing snacks wisely can be good for your heart, digestive system, and energy level.

Below are a list of recommendation for some healthy snack to munch on when your mouth is feeling siap siap.. Snacks In the Office (SIO):

1) Apricots - Fresh, ripe apricots are high in fibre and low in calories. They are a good source of beta carotene, the plant form of vitamin A.

2) Apple - is the ideal healthy snack. They are also relatively low in calories and contain a high proportion of fructose, a simple sugar that is sweeter than table sugar (sucrose) and metabolized more slowly, helping to control blood sugar levels. Bioflavonoids in apples may protect against lung disease and be helpful to smokers.

3) Blue Berries - Good source of anthocyanosides and anti-oxidants. Have antibacterial properties

4) Cranberry & strawberries – Excellent source of anti-oxidant,

5) Nuts in general - Excellent source of vitamin E, Walnuts may help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

In my research, i’ve also came an interesting article on 10 Super Fruits that was publish in straits time on 14 Jul 2008 as follows:

1 Pomegranate aka Granada
What it is: Has around 600 seeds that can range from white to deep red.
Where it grows: Native to the Mediterranean Middle East
Supposed benefits: Some studies suggest that the juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidants in green tea and red wine.

2 Kiwi aka Chinese gooseberry
What it is: Flesh can be bright green or golden.
Where it grows: Can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat
Supposed benefits: A single kiwi is said to supply more than the normal daily adult requirement of vitamin C.

3 Mangosteen aka Manggis
What it is: Has sweet-sour white flesh
Where it grows: Primarily in countries with a hot, humid climate such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia
Supposed benefits: Its rind contains xanthones, which are said to neutralise free radicals.

4 Goji (pronounced goh-gee) aka Wolfberry
What it is: Red berries that are usually found dried
Where it grows: China, Mongolia and the Himalayas in Tibet
Supposed benefits: It contains carotenoids that act as antioxidants to protect the retina of the eye.

5 Cranberry aka Mossberry, fenberry
What it is: Berries, 6 to 18mm in size, turn deep red when ripe.
Where it grows: A major commercial crop in the United States and Canada
Supposed benefits: It is used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections.

6 Noni aka Cheese fruit, ach, mengkudu
What it is: Oval-shaped and prickly
Where it grows: Native to South-east Asia but now grows in India and the Pacific islands
Supposed benefits: The juice is said to be able to help reduce high blood pressure and relieve arthritic pain as it contains a high level of antioxidants.

7 Avocado aka Palta, abacate
What it is: Egg shaped, green-brown on the outside and green-yellow on the inside
Where it grows: Long history of being cultivated in Central and South America
Supposed benefits: It contains healthy monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

8 Seabuckthorn aka Sandthorn, seaberry
What it is: Soft and juicy orange berries, 6 to 9mm in diameter
Where is grows: Native to Europe and Asia
Supposed benefits: It is said to boost the immune system as it is rich in vitamin C.

9 Blueberry aka Bleuet
What it is: Indigo berries, 5 to 16mm in diameter
Where it grows: Native to North America but also grown in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries
Supposed benefits: It is said to be an anti-ageing superstar that is loaded with antioxidants to improve vision and brain function.

10 Acai (pronounced as-sa-E) aka Cabbage palm berry
What it is: A dark-blue berry that is similar in size to a grape
Where it grows: South American rainforests
Supposed benefits: Claims to have twice the antioxidants found in blueberries, as well as omega fatty acids, protein and fibre.

Health Care Healthy Snacks