Perhaps antioxidants were the key to separating the illustrious from the forgettable. Adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet is a great way to mix up your dishes, feel Olympian-like strength from the array of nutrients your body is getting, and be excited about dinner again.
Hold the sauce—what are antioxidants anyway?
Antioxidants are unique molecules found in your body and on your plate that:
- are created in your body, or are micronutrient antioxidants from vitamins and minerals
- can take or give electrons to unbalanced, reactive molecules (aka: free radicals)
- neutralise free radicals and protect you from free-radical damage
Dust off your apron, press play on your favourite cooking playlist, and give these antioxidant-boosted foods a try to wake up your taste buds and nourish your body.
Kale and Pomegranate Salad
Kale and pomegranate (an ancient symbol of the Greek goddess Persephone) are antioxidant muses. With bright citrus, crunchy nuts, and chilli heat, the goddess would pare this kale and pomegranate salad with a pressed juice to savour the fruits of the earth before heading back to a winter in the Underworld.
- ½ cup quinoa, rinsed well
- ½ bunch kale, finely chopped
- Juice ½ lemon
- Splash of cold-pressed olive oil
- Pinch sea salt
- Handful raw almonds
- Handful pumpkin & sunflower seeds
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
- Handful fresh mint, roughly chopped
- Handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped
- Juice and zest 1 orange
- 1 pomegranate
- Wash quinoa to remove bitter coating. In a separate medium saucepan, add quinoa and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes, until quinoa is light and fluffy.
- Wash kale and remove stems. Cut the leaves into thin strips. Place kale in a bowl and dress with lemon juice, a splash of olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. Massage the kale for a few minutes until it softens.
- In a frying pan with a little olive oil, toss nuts and seeds with paprika and chilli flakes until they start to turn golden-brown. Put aside to cool.
- In a salad bowl, add kale, quinoa, mint, coriander, nuts, and seeds. Pour over orange juice and toss until well combined. Add pomegranate and gently toss. Top with more nuts, seeds, and orange zest.
Wild Salmon
Poseidon probably got plenty of antioxidant protection and omega 3s from this little fishy. Use your creativity to spice things up when cooking this wild salmon and you’ll never wish for other fish in the sea.
Cooking options:
- Bake
- Grill
- Pan Sear
- Broil
- Poach
Seasoning options:
- Lemon pepper
- Chilli lime reduction
- Garlic and thyme
- Paprika rub
- Blackened, Cajun style
- Plain and sashimi style
Berrylicious Spritzer
A good drink elevates any meal—especially when it has antioxidants. Just ask the God of drink and merriment, Dionysus. Adding antioxidant-rich berries and fruits to sparkling water makes your glass look expensive and taste divine.
Spritz the party with:
- Grapefruit
- Kiwifruit
- Blackcurrants
- Mangoes
- Raspberries
- Watermelon
- Citrus fruits
- Grapes
- Strawberries
Creating your own fruit salad is a great way to swap out a sugary treat, delight at dessert, and make any picnic fancy free. These berries are all bursting with antioxidant protection. Create your own medley, and don’t forget to spritz the berries with some citrus to keep them fresh.
Free-Radical Protection in the Palm of Your Hand
Living along the Mediterranean Sea, the Greeks had access to plenty of foods just bursting with antioxidants. Nowadays, our modern-day diets are lacking the powerful free-radical protectors. Some antioxidant-full foods might be hard to find, or just not sit right on your taste buds.USANA Health Sciences created Proflavonal C100: an antioxidant essential vitamin to ensure your body is supported from free radicals damage. Its unique formula gives your body advanced antioxidants to support a balanced immune system. Using innovative Nutritional Hybrid Technology, Proflavanol C100 combines grape-seed extract and vitamin C to give you the best of both worlds in a single, powerful tablet.
Like the Odyssey, the list of antioxidant-heavy foods is pretty long. There are plenty more new foods you can try any night of the week to keep your tummy satisfied and your molecules neutralised and balanced.
About the Writer:Living and writing in Utah, Shauntel Peterson finds stories in unexpected places, like antique stores, hiking trails, and secret gardens.
Resources:
https://askthescientists.com/qa/antioxidants/
https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/nutrition/antioxidant-foods-recipes.html