Let’s see. There are the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, the Grammy Awards, the Country Music Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, even the Film Independent Spirit Awards. There are so many shows that have come to make up what constitute popular entertainment’s “awards season.” Folks love these shows. We all love that moment of, “And the award goes to …”
A 2019 Well+Good report explained that, according to clinical psychologist Jennifer Guttman, award shows fulfill “a basic human need.”
“The Oscars are exciting and entertaining because they reinforce our belief that people thrive on external reinforcement,” Dr. Guttman says. “Even people who have already achieved celebrity-status seem captivated by what others think about them.”
I must admit, I’m kind of sorry to see this year’s version of these shows now behind us. And it got me thinking, what if we filled the void until next year’s awards season with an award show recognizing the best fruits and vegetables to help sustain or enhance public health? Let’s face it, healthy eating in general could use a little reinforcement.
So welcome to the Golden Nutrition Awards (not real, just something I’ve made up). Our first category comes to us from U.S. News & World Report and is for “Best Food to Eat When Fighting the Cold or the Flu, in a supporting role.
— Chicken soup, for its protein and array of vitamins and hydrating broth.
— Citrus fruits, for their vitamin C that “helps the body create antibodies, which fight off infections.”
— Honey, for its role “as a natural cough suppressant” that “can help soothe an irritated throat.”
— Pomegranates and pomegranate juice, for being “a good source of vitamin C and fiber.”
— Sweet potatoes, for their immunity-supporting nutrients and “antioxidants like beta-carotene and phytochemicals that help fight disease.”
— Bananas, for being a “source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium, which support the immune system.”
And the award goes to … chicken soup! Congratulations to this “sick-day staple” with a well-earned reputation and illustrious history in fighting illnesses like colds or the flu.
This year, in a special category, we present the inaugural “Who Knew?” award to … fermented pickles! This is a special award for a special pickle. “Most of what you find at the grocery store — in both the refrigerated and room-temperature sections — are ‘quick pickles,’” reports Matt Fuchs in Time magazine. “(They) are acidified in a vinegar-based broth for no more than a few days. Some of these quick pickles are also heat-processed to make them last longer on store shelves. … To find these healthier pickles, look for refrigerated jars with labels that say ‘fermented.’ In addition, the ingredients list on the back generally should not include vinegar, a sign of quick pickling.”
Fermented vegetables in general “may have health promoting properties,” says Robert Hutkins, a microbiologist at the University of Nebraska. Time reports that they are “linked to significantly better glucose metabolism, lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, a more robust immune system, decreased triglyceride levels, and higher HDL cholesterol (the good kind).” Just be sure to look for pickles low in sodium.
Now the award we have all been waiting for, a food so good for you that it qualifies as a “super food.” This year’s nominees are:
— Cranberries, which Good Housekeeping says are “low in sugar and full of a variety of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and vitamin A” and is also “a good source of antioxidants and other plant compounds.”
— Microgreens, the “super young and tender leafy greens that most vegetables, grains, and herbs produce” and are “shown to have higher concentrations of phytochemicals and other antioxidants like beta-carotene than leaves harvested from mature plants.”
— Beans, which are small but mighty and packed with nutrition, “a rich source of fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and plant-based protein,” says U.S. News & World Report. U.S. dietary guidelines recommend eating at least a half cup every day.
And the award goes to … beans! Congratulations to this nutritious giant packed with fiber and containing “dollar-for-dollar more protein than meat. … Beans have been called the top longevity food.” According to an analysis of national food consumption surveys, “Consuming beans at least four times a week was associated with a 22% lower risk of heart disease.”
We hope we have reinforced your appreciation of healthy eating. Good day, and be well!
Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook’s “Official Chuck Norris Page.” He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
Photo credit: Shelley Pauls at Unsplash