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7 Cheap Superfoods That Are Good for Your Heart
Although you might think that "heart health" is only something for your grandparents need to worry about, it’s time to show your ticker a little love... starting now. Heart disease affects one in four Americans and is the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it’s never too early to start thinking about prevention.
Let's start by focusing on eating the right foods... superfoods. But don't worry, we aren't going to bore you with the same acai/chia seeds/goji berry story because while we love those foods, they can put a serious dent in your wallet before you've even finished at checkout. The good news is that there are plenty of inexpensive superfoods that don't require a visit to the local organic market and won’t leave your broke.
*All prices on Amazon Fresh
1. Beets: $1.98 for 2 pounds
We can't think of anything better than when we sit down at a restaurant and there's a beet and goat cheese salad on the menu. Then we say, "we can totally make this at home," but then we forget. Well here's your reminder because eating antioxidant-rich beets is a great way to beet (pun intended) inflammation. Beets are full of inflammation-fighting compounds, like anthocyanins, betaine, and lutein, and some research even suggests that betaine can lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
And if you like your beets in juice form, studies have shown that the nitrates in beet juice may lower blood pressure. Stock up on these royal root veggies now while they are cheap, and DIY your favorite restaurant salad.
2. Citrus: $1.29 for a medium orange
You can’t step into a supermarket without being surrounded by the many varieties of winter citrus (even in the summer months you can find this seasonal winter fruit in the produce section). These beauties are juicy, vibrant, and good for your heart in more ways than one.
A recent review found that overweight and obese people who regularly ate grapefruits experienced a significant decrease in their blood pressure. Other research indicates that women who eat citrus daily may significantly decrease their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you’ve got a juicer at home, throw the entire orange into that thing to reap the benefits of the antioxidant hesperidin, which is only found in the peel. Consumption of this antioxidant may decrease blood pressure.
3. Frozen Berries: $3.79 for a 16-ounce bag
Don’t be fooled by the $8 price tag on a carton of strawberries in the middle of winter. You can actually get berries on the cheap, but you need to venture past the produce section. Take a walk to the frozen food aisle and pick up a bag of frozen berries. One study found that women who eat more than three servings of blueberries or strawberries a week may have up to 34 percent lower risk of developing heart disease than those who don’t.
4. Kale: $2.50 for 1 bunch
You can still rock your Beyonce-inspired Kale sweatshirt, but the once trendy veg is now a superfood staple. With significant levels of vitamin A, B6, K, C, manganese, calcium, copper, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, kale is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies in the produce section for only about 35 calories per cup (that's before you cook it in oil, duh). Research has also linked the consumption of kale with a decrease in cholesterol.
Although your favorite salad place may charge $15 for a kale salad, there’s no need to spend that much. Kale can withstand cold temperatures, so it’s abundant in the winter and shouldn’t break your piggy bank when you buy it at the store. You got this; you can make your own kale salads.
5. Pulses: $0.79 for 16-ounce can of garbanzo beans
Otherwise known as chickpeas, beans, legumes and dried peas, pulses are the secret superfood that you're probably already eating (like when you come home after work and devour the entire tub of hummus). These plant-based stars are full of protein, fiber, and other heart-healthy nutrients, like folate, iron, and potassium.
Research has shown that eating pulses can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and help with body-weight management. Not to mention that all varieties of pulses are extremely affordable, especially if you opt for dried beans or shop in the bulk section. Dried beans take one extra step to soak them, but you're an adult, you can handle it.
6. Oats: $2.99 for an 18-ounce container
The term "that's so oatmeal" is usually used to describe something painfully boring. But IMHO, the humble oat doesn’t get the love it deserves. Here’s why—it’s a super-versatile grain, fitting nicely into everything from your standard oatmeal and overnight oats to veggie burgers and meatloaf. Plus, those little flakes pack in 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein in just a half cup. But here’s the real kicker: Oats contain a fiber called beta-glucan, which may lower cholesterol. Research suggests that eating 3 grams of beta-glucan fiber per day can reduce “bad cholesterol” (LDL) by five to 10 percent in healthy people. #bringbackoatmeal
7. Bananas: $1.58 per bunch
We know what you're thinking... Bananas, really? You can't get more basic than that. But this sweet tropical fruit is one of the best deals in the produce section. Nanners are super cheap and deliver big on one heart-healthy nutrient—potassium. Not eating enough potassium can raise your blood pressure, but increasing your intake of potassium by 1.6 grams per day can reduce your risk of stroke by 21 percent. To put that into perspective, one large banana has almost 500 milligrams of potassium. Add it to your awesome oatmeal, smear it with almond butter, or just take it as a snack on the go because bananas aren't as basic as you think.
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7 Reasons You *Need* to Be Doing Deadlifts
Deadlifts legit changed my workout routine. I'd spent years developing my skills as a cardio bunny, but after watching a YouTube video about how Chris Evans got ripped for his role as Captain America, I decided to turn to a professional. Until then, I'd tried everything: yoga, pilates, barre—I'd even dipped my toe into lifting weights at my local gym, but my knowledge was a combination of Google searches and a college gym class that produced few results. The first exercise my trainer added to my workout routine? Deadlifts.
I'd never done them before (OK, I'd never so much as touched a barbell), and I was skeptical. Surely a single exercise couldn't revolutionize my workout in a way years of trial and error had failed? But fortunately, I was (dead, heh) wrong. Deadlifts changed my shape—whittling my waist and giving my butt a much-needed boost—while improving my posture, increasing my overall strength, and making me feel like a confident badass.
So why should you be doing deadlifts?
1. Deadlifts work your entire body.
"The deadlift targets multiple muscle groups in a single lift, offering more bang for your buck than an isolation exercise," says Zach Mayer, a master trainer at Burn 60 Studios (studio of choice for Reese Witherspoon, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Naomi Watts). "Incorporating deadlifts one or two days a week into a weight training session will develop strength in the hamstrings, glutes, low back, and upper back."
They also rely on core strength to stabilize your body throughout the lift, which means you'll be working your abs on top of everything else. As if you needed more convincing, deadlifts often work your glutes more than squats do. According to Mayer, this means you can get faster results on your backside than relying on squats alone.
Building muscle helps increase your metabolism too, which in turn helps you lose more fat long-term.
2. Deadlifts build killer strength.
One study showed that deadlift training generated huge improvements in strength and stability—especially in women who were relatively new to lifting. Because you're using muscles on both the front and back of your body, deadlifts protect your joints from unnecessary stress and future injury, which is an awesome added benefit.
Even if strength isn't your main goal (or if you're afraid lifting weights will make you bulky… which, no, it won't), this is still a fantastic benefit—especially since it makes you feel like a badass.
3. Deadlifts help improve your posture.
A strong back can absolutely help with your posture, but another way deadlifts help fix bad posture is by helping correct it. To perform deadlifts properly, you need to make sure your form is right—and good form during deadlifts often translates to good posture.
"You can expect a noticeable change in walking upright and sitting without rounded shoulders after regularly performing this lift," Mayer says, which is especially important for those of us who spend a lot of time hunched in front of a computer screen.
4. Deadlifts can actually make you stronger in real life.
Instead of working on purely cosmetic gains, deadlifts involve movements and muscle routines that are a huge part of our daily lives. This means deadlifts will make it easier for you to perform basic tasks, which directly contradicts the assumption that gym training doesn't actually prepare you for the real world.
"Deadlifts are highly functional," Mayer says. "Increasing strength by deadlifting will prepare you for situations like carrying groceries, picking up someone who fell, or helping a friend on moving day."
5. Deadlifts help to prevent injury.
Some might avoid deadlifts out of fear of back injury, but studies have shown that deadlifts can be beneficial for reducing low-back pain in some cases.
"The deadlift requires total control of the deep abdominals, the hips, and the pelvis, which is paramount in the treatment and prevention of low back pain," says Nicholas Licameli, a physical therapist at Professional Physical Therapy.
Because the deadlift trains the posterior chain—which includes the spinal erectors, lats, rhomboids, glutes, and hamstrings—Licameli says it helps to prevent injury in muscle groups that are typically ignored.
"In fact, two predictors of tearing the ACL are actually an imbalance of strength in the quads and hamstrings, and gluteal weakness/instability," Licameli adds. "The deadlift will have you covered."
Remember that building strength takes time, so don't jump into too heavy weights or complicated lifts before you're ready. Be sure to watch your posture and technique to build muscle and ward against injury.
6. Deadlifts will save you precious, precious time.
Compound exercises like deadlifts work more than one muscle group at a time. Instead of working on three different machines, you can work the same muscle groups in less time by performing the deadlift—making it the ultimate time saver.
7. Deadlifts are easy to incorporate into your workout.
You don't need access to a barbell to use deadlifts, but it definitely doesn't hurt. Dumbbells or kettlebells can be used to do the exercise, especially variations like the straight leg or Romanian deadlift variation.
"Ask a trainer or coach for his or her guidance," Mayer recommends. "Your friend who is an 'avid lifter' may be well-intentioned, but chances are they don't know the best way to coach a beginner through the deadlift. While instructional videos may also seem helpful, for novice lifters who are developing body awareness, it is best to work with an experienced professional."
Basically, deadlifts are the unicorn of the fitness world. They're a great way to get a whole host of results without spending a lot of time in the gym, and even fitness newbies can utilize them. Still not sure? Watch this badass grandma deadlift 225 pounds like a boss. Let her be your deadlift inspiration and enjoy reaping all of the benefits deadlifts have to offer.
Jandra Sutton is an author, historian, and public speaker. After graduating from Huntington University with a B.A. in history, she went on to receive a master’s degree in modern British history from the University of East Anglia. In her spare time, Sutton enjoys fangirling, running, and anything related to ice cream. Pluto is still a planet in her heart. She lives in Nashville with her husband and their two dogs. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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