Foods that Are Natural Diuretics

Natural diuretics help to flush your body of toxins so that your body can more efficiently break down fat. Whether you're looking to cleanse your body, or just trying to lose weight, they can be a good addition to your diet as long as they're used in moderation. Here are a few foods that are natural diuretics that you can try.

Ginger
Ginger, which has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds and hundreds of years, helps to relieve your body of water retention, making it a great natural diuretic. It also is an excellent choice if you're looking for a way to relieve nausea, cramps, morning sickness or even migranes.

Carrots
The beta-carotene in carrots is what gives them their diuretic properties. It helps to clear out waste and fatty deposits by speeding up your body's metabolic rate. Carrots are also a great source of folic acid. To help your body digest carrots more easily, try dipping them in olive oil.

Fennel
Seasoning your food with fennel can help you to take advantage of its diuretic properties. Fennel also contains vitamin A, calcium, phosphorous and potassium. Some other ways to serve fennel are to put it in a salad or to try steaming it with vegetables like zucchini.

Asparagus
Asparagus contains something called asparigine, which helps to remove waste from your body by improving the performance of your kidneys. Asparagus is also high in vitamin K and Folate.

Cucumber
Cucumber is high in a mineral called silica, which is a natural diuretic. Silica also can naturally improve the quality of your skin and hair, making it a perfect choice for a healthier-looking you.

Cranberry Juice
Cranberry Juice is already known as a healing food for its ability to help with Urinary Tract Infections. The reason it is able to cleanse the body in this way is because it works as a natural diuretic. Be sure to buy actual cranberry juice and not just a cranberry juice cocktail.

Broccoli
The incredibly high vitamin C levels in broccoli help to flush waste out of your body by releasing water from your kidneys, as well as speed up your metabolism. Broccoli also contains beta-carotene which means that it offers all of its benefits.

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Energy Foods

Are you interested in cutting caffeine or energy drinks from your diet, but are unsure of how to get through the day without that extra boost of energy? Here's a list of energy foods- foods that will perk you up and help you get through the day, even when you're trying to break bad habits.

Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent source of magnesium, which is critical to energy release. Magnesium activates enzymes that metabolize things like proteins or carbs, and helps your body to make adenosine triphosphate, which will give you a serious boost of energy. A low fat yogurt is your best pick.

Seaweed
Seaweed is an excellent source of all kinds of minerals. Two of these minerals in particular- pantothenic acid and riboflavin- are vitamins that the body uses to produce energy. Having a tasty seaweed salad with lunch can easily keep your body fueled until dinnertime.

Artichoke
The high fiber content of artichokes will stabilize your body's energy levels, keeping you from having energy drop-offs later in the day. An artichoke is also a good source of magnesium, allowing you to reap those benefits.

Oats
Oats harness the power of the B-vitamin family to transform the carbs that you consume into usable energy. They also have plenty of fiber. Try starting your day off with a bowl of oatmeal to take full advantage of the power of oats.

Bananas
Bananas contain the amino acid tyrosine, which naturally boosts your body's levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which help to keep you awake and alert. Bananas also are full of potassium and easily digested sugars, making it an ideal energy food.

Acerola
This lesser known fruit is a vitamin C powerhouse- it contains an astounding 80mg per slice, butting more famous foods like oranges and grapefruit to shape. Studies have shown that receiving vitamin c daily boosts energy levels, making this fruit an excellent energy food. Acerola is also known as the Barabados cherry.

Cabbage
Cabbage contains something called superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that fights free radicals and keeps energy flowing throughout your body. Superoxide dismutase is so powerful that doctors have even used it to treat patients. Cabbage is also another good source of vitamin C.

Lentils
All the fiber in lentils will help to regulate your body's glucose levels, keeping it running smoothly and crash free. They also are high in protein, which keeps your body feeling full and will provide you with plenty of energy.

Water
Water may not have the caffeine burst that coffee does, but it's essential to keeping your body fueled and hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day will keep your body ready to take in all the wonderful nutrients on this list so that your body can produce all of the energy that it needs.

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List of High Protein Foods

Getting all the protein you need isn't easy, especially if you want to limit the amount of meat you eat. It goes without saying that beef, poultry, and fish are all great sources of protein, but here is a list of high protein foods you may not have known about.

Cottage Cheese
If you're looking for a high protein snack in the dairy department, cottage cheese is your best bet. Just one half cup contains an incredible 15 grams of protein. Cottage cheese is also a great source of both calcium and Vitamin D.

Corn
Next on our list of high protein foods is a high protein vegetable- corn. Corn isn't a protein powerhouse like some of the other foods on our list, but it provides a respectable dosage along with the added benefits of corn's high fiber content. It's a great addition to any soup or high protein meal.

Tofu
Tofu is the staple of many a vegetarian and vegan's diet for a reason- it's an amazing source of protein. One half cup of tofu has 20 grams of protein. It may be hard to get used to cooking tofu at first, but with a little practice, you'll be good to go. A tofu scramble makes for a delicious and high protein breakfast.

Peanut Butter
A PB & J sandwich may have more protein than you think. It only takes two tablespoons of peanut butter to get you 8 grams of protein. Raw peanut butter boasts even more nutritional benefits. Look for it at your local health food store.

Lentils
Lentil beans are a healthy way to add a little more protein to your diet. Lentils also can help to lower your cholesterol and boost your heart health. One of the best ways to serve lentils is in a soup. Try adding lentils and a few other foods on our list of high protein foods for a nutritious meal.

Parmesan
When you sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese onto your food, you're also imbuing it with a little extra protein into your meal. Every ounce of Parmesan adds an addition 10 grams, making it a perfect way to balance your meal.


Flax Seeds
Whether you're cooking with flax seed oil, eating them in a muffin, or sprinkling some ground flax seeds into your food, they're a wonderful way to get some protein. Flax Seeds also contain omega-3 essential fatty acids. 


Soy Beans
There's a reason why so many meat substitutes contain soy- soy beans are loaded with protein. From milk to burgers, there's a way to work soy and its 14 grams protein per half cup into just about any meal. 


Split Peas
Split pea soup is a cold weather staple, making the winter a great time to add some protein to your diet.  They also can be eaten in a puree or just plain during the warmer months of the year. 

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Potassium Rich Foods

The electrolyte potassium has many incredible benefits. Eating lots of potassium can help lower your blood pressure, improve heart function, and even reduce the chances of stroke. It's no wonder that many people are now looking to eat more potassium rich foods. But what foods contain potassium? Everyone knows about bananas, but here are a few potassium rich foods you may not have heard about.

Lima Beans
Fiber rich lima beans are also a great source of potassium. This amazing food is even high in iron, making it a terrific energy boosting snack.

Avocado
Not only are avocados chock full of potassium, but they may improve your eyesight! Studies have shown that carotenoid lutein, a substance contained in avocados, can be linked to maintaining healthy eyes. Avocados are also a good source of Vitamin A, E, and B6.

Kiwi
Tasty kiwi (formerly known as the Chinese Gooseberry) is a sweet way to get your daily dose of potassium. Just one kiwi has an incredible of 252 mg of potassium! Kiwi is especially delicious in a fruit salad. 

Milk
Everyone knows that drinking milk helps to give you strong bones, but did you know when you drink milk you're also loading up on potassium? A cup of 2% milk can give you 10% of the Daily Recommended Value for potassium.

Winter Squash
Different kins of squash offer different nutritional benefits, and if you're looking for a potassium rich food, winter squash is your pick! To cook it, try adding some cubes of winter squash into any soups you make. It's also good steamed.

Tomatoes
Not only are tomatoes a good source vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K- they're also a great source of potassium! Just add a few slices of tomato to your salad or sandwich to make your meal potassium rich.

Fresh Apricots
Apricot season is from May to August, so you may not be able to reap the benefits of this fruit year round, but it's good while it lasts! One apricot contains over 100mg of potassium- that's 3% of your DRV!


Spinach
Sometimes it seems like ultra nutritious spinach is a good source of everything. It has magnesium, iron, vitamin C, and more. Frozen, canned, or fresh, it's a wonderful way to get your potassium.  

Potatoes
There are countless ways to prepare potatoes, and they have almost as many nutritional benefits. If you'd like a helping of vitamin B6, copper, vitamin C, or manganese to go with your potassium, potatoes are the food for you.

Orange Juice
Your daily dose of Vitamin C and your daily dose of potassium can go hand in hand. A half-cup of OJ contains 236mg of it. Regular oranges are also a potassium rich food.   

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Anti Depression Foods

Depression cripples many people, especially during the upcoming winter months. These anti depression foods will help to keep your body feeling happy and healthy, no matter what the weather is like.

Wheat Germ
Wheat Germ is loaded with Vitamin B6, which naturally helps your body regulate its serotonin levels. This makes it the perfect anti depression food. Try mixing some wheat germ into a cup of calcium rich yogurt for a healthy snack.

Canola Oil
Studies have found that people who are depressed tend to have low levels of Vitamin E. What could be better than canola oil for getting the Vitamin E your body needs? Try substituting canola oil for vegetable oil while cooking to turn your recipes into anti depression foods.

Salmon
Salmon is a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids, and is also full of the antioxidant selenium, making it a great anti depression food. Make sure to get wild salmon, as it has a much higher dosage of omega-3s.

Spinach
Spinach is chock full of folate, another substance that helps your body to produce serotonin. These leafy greens are also a good source of antioxidants. Spinach is essential to an anti depression food diet.

Brazil Nuts
Selenium filled brazil nuts can boost brain function and keep you feeling happy and calm. Try adding this tasty treat into your anti depression meal plans.

Chickpeas
Not only are chickpeas full of iron and fiber, but they're another great source of Vitamin E. The best way to add chickpeas into your diet is to eat hummus, a tasty spread made from chickpeas.

Brown Rice
Brown rice is a low glycemic food, meaning that eating it can help keep you from having mood swings and sugar lows. It's also a good source of vitamins B1 and B3, and folic acid. Make sure you get brown rice, as white rice doesn't have the same benefits.

Cabbage
Vitamin C rich cabbage is a great weapon your body can use against all sorts of ailments, from stress to heart disease. Cabbage can be cooked in a multitude of ways, and it's a fantastic anti depression food.

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Chronic Back Pain Relief

Many people suffer from back problems. Whether you suffer from lower pack pain or muscle pain, backpain can be extremely debilitating, and it is often not easy to treat. Here are some foods you can add to your diet that can help with pain management.

Kale

Kale is capable of cooling your body's natural inflammatory response, making it a great pain killer. It can also work as an analgesic on your body's pain nerves. Eating leafy greens like kale on a regular basis can even help reduce your body's sensitivity to pain.

Water

Water is a great way to reduce pain anywhere in your body. Dehydration significantly increases your sensitivity to pain, and regular water drinking will flush out toxins as well as lubricate and cushion your joints.

Salmon

Salmon contains a healthy does of omega-3 fatty acids, which can suppress the production of cytokines and enzymes, decreasing inflammation and relieving your back. Eating wild salmon is an especially good way to get an omega-3 rich diet.


Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or EVOO, as it's commonly called, is an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats.  The antioxidant rich fats can protect the body against pain and inflammation thanks to polyphenols. Try substituting EVOO for butter in future recipes.

Pineapple

Vitamin C rich pineapple can slow the progression of pain and help to relieve it, thanks to the powerful dose of antioxidants that it contains. It also helps to protect your body from the effects of free radicals.

Curry

Curry contains tumeric, a spice that has been shown to suppress inflammatory chemicals. Studies suggest that tumeric may work in the same way as many pain medications. Try cooking it up with some healthy vegetables or lean protein.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are rich in selenium, an extremely powerful antioxidant. Selenium can help to fight off cell-damaging molecules that lead to back pain and is also a strong anti-inflammatory agent. Another great source of selenium is wheat germ.

Peppers

Brightly colored peppers are a wonderful way to add more vitamins and minerals into your diet that your body can use to heal and recover from whatever is causing your back pain. Vegetables like peppers also contain natural antioxidants.

Grapes

Grapes are a source of a plant-based compound called Resveratrol, which blocks cell inflammation. It's been shown to work in the same way as many pain relieving drugs, but has the added nutritional benefit.

Soy

A recent study tested the pain response of rats who were fed a diet rich and soy and found that their pain tolerance increased significantly. Soy works especially well for women who suffer from back pain.

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Foods that Boost your Metabolism

Beating your metabolism can be one of the trickiest parts when it comes to losing weight. It's incredibly frustrating to put in the hard work to diet and exercise and not see results because of your sluggish metabolism. Here are 10 foods that will kick-start your metabolism and help you to lose weight.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is full of fiber, which means that your body has to burn extra calories to break it down. It also helps to lower the insulin levels in your body, which means that your body will be less inclined to store fat. Just try to have it without sugar when you eat it.

Turkey

A high protein, low calorie food like turkey is perfect for weight loss. It's also a great way to speed up your metabolism- the lean muscle you'll build when eating it will boost it naturally.

Spinach

Spinach is so packed full of vitamins that it's practically a miracle food- it contains antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, iron and vitamin C. Loading up on this low calorie food will help you get a faster metabolism and will leave you feeling great.

Water

If you're dieting now, you may already be drinking plenty of water. If not, it's time to start- not only is water great for your body, but it can improve your metabolism. Studies have shown that drinking water can improve your metabolic rate by as much as 30%. For a better effect, make sure to drink water throughout the day.

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers contain Capsaicin, a chemical that releases stress hormones, which will help you burn calories by speeding up your metabolism. Try a little cayenne pepper, or maybe some jalapenos! 

Green Tea

Green tea is a natural diuretic, which means it can help boost your metabolism and your energy levels. While green tea has almost no calories, the substances commonly added to it aren't always conducive to weight loss, so try and drink it plain if you can.

Yogurt

Yogurt is chock full of protein, which means that your body will burn lots of calories while digesting it. Try picking a low calorie flavor so that you'll burn more calories than you consume while having your snack.

Apples

Apples are another food that's full of fiber. They're also very filling, which means that you can just snack on an apple when you're tempted to have a high-calorie snack. 

Beans

Yet another fiber-rich food earns a spot on this list. Beans are also a great source of protein, so they'll be doing double duty when it comes to improving your metabolism. Try eating them over brown rice for a great diet-friendly meal.

Brocolli

Broccoli combines the natural metabolism helping power of calcium with the powers of Vitamin C, making it another super food. The calcium will act as a metabolic trigger, while the vitamin C will  help your body to absorb more calcium. There's nothing you can't do with a little broccoli in your diet!   

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