The new year is here, but the binging never stops! Us, Filipinos, sure have a lot of leftover Christmas handa in the fridge that we ought to finish in the coming days (even weeks)! Most of it the unhealthy ones like processed ham, creamy macaroni salad jammed with all kinds of fattening ingredients, syrupy sweet pastries, and of course, unopened bottles of carbs aka beer. But where are the fruits? Well, little to no show.

If you’re the type to list down your life-changing body-focused healthy new year’s resolutions then totally forget about it after a week or two, you’re not alone. We get it, it’s hard to change your eating habits, but let’s face it, it’s harder to undo an unhealthy body.

So, what can you do to somehow help yourself in your quest to fulfill some of your resolutions? Simple—eat fruits.

Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. This means you can lie low on taking supplements as fruits have plenty of natural nutrients & health benefits that can help repair and take care of your inside. Don’t believe it? We’ll prove it!

•  Fruits have no cholesterol. This means you’re safe from the risk of having a heart attack if you just eat right with fruits on the side.

•  Most fruits are low in fat, sodium, and calories. Forget munching junk food, try enjoying a slice of sweet & fleshy fruit instead and you’ll lose the handles in no time.

•  Fruits that are high in Vitamin C like kiwis and oranges are important for growth and repair of body tissues. Need your internal or external wound to heal faster? Fruit is the answer!

•  Eating fruits rich in potassium may help lower blood pressure, and may also help in reducing the risk of developing kidney complications.

•  Fibrous fruits may help reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

There are a lot more health benefits that you can get from eating fruits, but keep in mind that it’s still important to have a balanced diet coupled with an active lifestyle for the benefits to come into fruition… (see what we did there?)

If one of your resolutions is to have a fruit-based diet or any other diet fad, then you might want to consult your doctor first as some diet may work out for your friend, but not for you. And lastly, always remember that you can count on Southstar Drug for any of your health-related needs!

In this age and time, girls face eating disorder triggered by psychological conditions is a commonplace. Our culture have become image-dominated. About 34% of girls see themselves as “fat” and so use unhealthy dieting to lose weight. Examples are extreme and faulty dieting and binge eating. These things affect most of the girls rather than boys.

Girls especially need to learn healthy eating. Healthy eating is a way of balancing (not ditching and bingeing) the food you eat to keep your body strong, energized, and well nourished.

Now let’s put your health consciousness a notch higher! It’s always good to know the basics:

Healthy eating is a great way to:

• Have energy all day long

• Get the vitamins and minerals your body needs

• Stay strong for sports or other activities

• Reach your maximum height (if you are still growing)

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Prevent unhealthy eating habits, like skipping meals and feeling overly hungry at the next meal

For girls, science shows that there are foods that could offer the extra edge. Here are some of them.

Tomatoes

Ripe and juicy, heirloom and cherry tomatoes are an easy food to love. Boston researchers conclude lycopene or other phytochemicals eaten as oil-based tomato products may protect against cardiovascular disease.

Cooking tomatoes, and adding oil, makes lycopene and other antioxidants more readily available.

Flaxseed

Flax has a plant based omega 3 fats, fiber, and disease-fighting compounds called lignans. A Mayo Clinic study finds 40 grams of crushed flaxseed can cut down on hot flashes, and several reports suggest flax can lower "bad" or LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed per day since whole seeds aren't readily digested.

Kale

Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eye are present in Kale. It’s also rich in Vitamin K which lowers the risk of hip fracture. It also provides your daily dose of vitamin C and small amounts of calcium.

Salmon

Tagged us one of the healthiest food in the world, salmon is an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin D and selenium. It is a good source of niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B6. It is also a good source of choline, pantothenic acid, biotin and potassium. It also provides important amounts of the antioxidant amino acid taurine.

Two servings (about 4 ounces) of salmon, or other fatty fish, per week.

Cranberry Juice

Women's urinary tract infections can helped be treated by cranberry juice because of the antioxidants called proanthocyanidins. These tannins prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder where they can multiply and cause, or intensify, an infection.

Drink unsweetened 100% cranberry juice (60 calories per cup) to avoid excess sugar.

For more healthy eating and lifestyle pointers, do not forget to read our articles in this section!