Having a rich diet is important. Some food
combinations complement each other not only in taste but also in how
efficiently your body absorbs the nutrients from them. This applies to
what you would consider snack foods too. As small as those in-between
meals may seem, they are far from being insignificant, and you want to
make them as nutritious as possible.
While foods like berries and walnuts are
great on their own, they could be even healthier with a little teamwork.
In the list below, we rounded up 7 unexpected food pairings recommended
by nutritionists. These creative combinations can come in handy when
planning your main meals, as well as your pick-me-up snacks!
1. Strawberries and peanut butter
Strawberries are a known source of vitamin
C, a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from damage caused by
free radicals. Peanut butter, on the other hand, is rich in Vitamin E,
which helps keep your skin and eyes healthy. It also strengthens the
immune system and may help prevent macular degeneration.
Vitamin C boosts the power of Vitamin E, keeping it in a form that helps
your body absorb it better. Pairing foods that contain both of these
vitamins, like strawberries and peanuts or peanut butter, is highly
recommended by nutrition experts. You could mix them in a smoothie or
try making strawberries dipped in peanut butter.
2. Broccoli and mustard 
Broccoli is a great addition to any meal.
It’s rich in vitamin K and calcium - two vital nutrients for maintaining
strong and healthy bones. Another beneficial compound found in broccoli
is sulforaphane, which was shown to have cancer-fighting properties.
Unfortunately, cooking the greens destroys myrosinase, the enzyme that
makes sulforaphane available to your body.
To replace myrosinase, combine broccoli with mustard or another raw
cruciferous vegetable, like kale or arugula. The extra myrosinase helps
your body absorb more sulforaphane, according to a study published in
the British Journal of Nutrition.
3. Coffee with sugar
We have good news for those who take their
coffee with sugar: it’s not such a bad habit. On the contrary, according
to a study published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical
and Experimental, taking your coffee with sugar actually makes you more
productive.
When participants consumed coffee and sugar together, the areas of the
brain associated with attention functioned more efficiently compared to
sugarless coffee. If you prefer tea, pair it with a little bit of honey.
4. Apples and green tea
A cup of tea and sliced fruit make for the
perfect afternoon snack. One very healthy pairing you could make is
green tea and apples. Apples contain the phytochemical quercetin, while
green tea is rich in catechin - two powerful anti-oxidants.
When paired together, these compounds were found to efficiently prevent
blood platelets from clumping together. When platelets clump, it can
contribute to the formation of blood clots, which could potentially lead
to a heart attack.
5. Avocado and carrots
You have probably heard about the vital
health benefits of carrots, namely that they support eye-health. What
gives carrots this power is beta-carotene, a nutrient that the body
readily converts into vitamin A. What you may not know is that your body
needs fat to absorb beta-carotene.
Pairing carrots with avocados or even olive oil will help your body make
the most of the nutrients in carrots. An example of a simple snack is
carrots dipped in guacamole or hummus.
6. Cottage cheese and blueberries
If you’re looking for a snack that will
keep you satiated until your next meal and prevent more unnecessary
snacking, try mixing a handful of blueberries with some cottage cheese.
The latter is rich in casein, a slow-digesting protein that contains all
the essential amino acids your body needs, whereas the fruit is high in
fiber. This combination is both nutritious and filling.
7. Walnuts and spinach
Spinach can do great things on its own
thanks to its vitamin K content, which contributes to cell growth, blood
circulation, and bone strength. When walnuts enter the scene, however,
their omega-3 fatty acids boost the vitamin’s absorption, which, in
turn, boosts all the aforementioned benefits. If you don’t do so
already, consider adding spinach to your salad and sprinkle some walnuts
on top for optimal results.