Though everyone would probably benefit from following a healthy meal plan, nutritional requirements do tend to vary by age and gender. Women have specific requirements, and most women are more stressed out than ever these days. In order to take proper care of her body, it is more imperative than ever for a woman to eat the right foods. Fortunately, the experts at eDiets have compiled a list of 10 of the foods most important to female nutrition.
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10. Bean There, Done That As the popular children's rhyme tells us, beans are good for the heart. They are also nutritious, low in fat and inexpensive. In fact, one half-cup serving of beans contains more than 5 grams of fiber, which is one quarter of the recommended daily allowance.
9. Kale to the Chief
In case you weren't aware, kale is actually a member of the cabbage family. Kale is also a great source of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually recommend that women consume 400 micrograms of folate every day. Suffering from a folate deficiency during pregnancy can cause neural-tube defects in babies.
8. Beta Sight
Though the name is derived from the Latin word for carrot, beta-carotenes are actually natural chemicals that belong to the carotenoid family. Aside from carrots, beta-carotene is found in orange squashes, pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Since the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, this nutrient helps repair your skin and may even reduce your risk for breast cancer.