Sometimes one and one equals three, as scientists have discovered when studying different pairings of food in our daily diet. Although that may sound counterintuitive, there’s sound science behind this recommendation. But before you get too excited and double-up on ice cream and cookies, realize this trick does have some caveats. If you want to trim your waist or get healthy and maintain it, in record time, you’ll need to pair the right foods together on one plate. Here are the great (and easy) food pairings to boost your wellbeing:
OATMEAL+BERRIES
Oatmeal topped with berries is a delicious fat-frying breakfast option you might want to consider. What makes the duo so powerful? They each contain insoluble fibre which boosts levels of ghrelin- a hormone that controls hunger. Plus, berries are packed with chemicals called polyphenols that aid weight loss and can actually stop fat from forming.
ONIONS+GRAPES
Quercetin is a powerful plant-derived antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables, but it’s especially concentrated in onions. It’s been shown to help relieve allergy symptoms and offer significant cardiovascular protection by improving circulation- which, by extension, also supports erectile function. Meanwhile, the polyphenol antioxidant catechin, found in high doses in black grapes, can help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders, and may even help you lose weight.
APPLES+RASBERRIES
Apples and raspberries are both good for your health, but combined, they are food superheroes, enhancing the antioxidant properties of both. Combine them in different delicious desserts and lower your cancer risk!
GREEN TEA+LEMON JUICE
Green tea and lemon juice is another great combination if you want more heart-healthy antioxidants flowing through your bloodstream. Combine the two in a hot, healing brew daily to kick-start of end your day, and you have a healthy habit for life.
SALMON+SESAME SEEDS
Salmon and sesame seeds are fantastic, according to researchers, for reducing PMS symptoms are salmon provides Vitamin D and sesame seeds provide calcium. Together, studies show they lower risk of PMS by 30 to 40 per cent.
PISTACHIOS+ALMONDS
While a snack mix comprised of cereal and pretzels may taste good, it’s not going to give you that tight stomach you crave. Ditch the starchy carbs and replace them with a combination of pistachios and almonds. The amino acid L-arginine, found in almonds and pistachios, helps the body burn more fat and carbs during workouts, too. So while you’re doubling down on the workouts before spring break, make sure your diet is doing double duty, too!
GARLIC+FISH
Fish and seafood are the major sources of long-chain omega-3 fats. They’re also rich in other nutrients (such as vitamin D and selenium), high in protein, and low in saturated fat. Fish and garlic combination help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and triglycerides; improve blood-vessel function; and reduce inflammation. Cook your fish with garlic to make a bigger impact on your blood chemistry!
TOMATOES+BROCOLLI
These vegetables are each loaded with cancer-fighting compounds: tomatoes, with antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A; and broccoli, with the phytochemicals beta-carotene, indoles, and isothiocyanates. Eating them together is like a one-two punch against prostate cancer!