Decompression Session: 5 Beneficial Foods by Body Part

Our List of Truly Good Eats to Nourish You Piece by Piece

Our latest food-themed Decompression Session takes a look at some foods that can benefit your body, part by part. Attention to nutrition is essential to your overall health – that’s not breaking news – and it’s easy to neglect good eating when you get busy with your studies or long work shifts. We find it fascinating that certain foods have benefits that target specific body parts and organs. Some foods even look like the body part they benefit.

Some of these foods have already gotten their share of publicity (carrots are good for your eyes; milk is good for your bones), but what about some other options when you’re not in the mood for crudité or breakfast cereal?

To help you show your body some focused love, we at West Coast University picked out a few lesser-known foods that can help your body maintain its health and even help prevent disease or the effects of environment and aging. These sustenances have substance!

Eyes: Egg Yolks

Want to keep your peepers in good health? An omelet or a benedict can help! That’s because egg yolks (and some other yellow foods like corn) contain lutein, which is a carotenoid that is thought to combat macular degeneration – the thinning of the part of your retina responsible for clear vision.

Ideas to Make a Meal Out of It:

• Western omelet
• Cobb salad
• Egg-salad sandwich
• Migas
• Quiche

Ears: Artichokes

For a food to maintain your hearing, consider the delicious artichoke, which is rich in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can constrict the blood vessels in your ear, depriving them of oxygen, while research has shown adequate magnesium intake can provide protection from high decibels that can damage your hearing function. Sound good?

Ideas to Make a Meal Out of It:

• Grilled artichoke
• Spinach-artichoke dip
• Add to a salad
• Artichoke bruschetta
• Cream pasta with artichoke

Bones: Sweet Potatoes

The fact that dairy promotes good bone health is common knowledge, but it’s not the only edible that’s good for skeletal wellness. Sweet potatoes are potassium packed, so a little orange mash goes a long way. Loading up on potassium is great for your bones, and it’s found in many foods including tomato products, in case you’re more in the mood for spaghetti.

Ideas to Make a Meal Out of It:

• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Sweet potato pie
• Baked (sweet) potato
• Sweet potato soup
• Sweet potato toast

Skin: Brazil Nuts

Supplement your lotions, exfoliants, and creams with an actual supplement: selenium. This mineral isn’t just good for a healthy glow – it’s an antioxidant that may help guard against skin cancer and sun damage. Brazil nuts have lots of it and are a tasty companion to your favorite salad.

Ideas to Make a Meal Out of It:

• Brazil nut butter (or milk, or cheese)
• Add to a salad
• Toasted Brazil Nuts
• Dark chocolate-covered Brazil nuts
• Brazil nut banana bread

Breasts: Kimchi

Treasure your chest! Breast cancer affects every gender, not just women, and fermented foods contain probiotics, which are believed to be a healthy preventative supplement. We chose kimchi because it’s a foodie favorite that adds some unexpected tang to your meal, but you can also find some helpful fermentation in foods like yogurt and sauerkraut.

Ideas to Make a Meal Out of It:

• Solo snack
• Kimchi and eggs
• Add to rice
• Add to a stew

We could go on… and we have! Check out some more Decompression Sessions about eating for wellness, balance, and focus. We have articles on comfort foods that reduce stress, foods that soothe, and more!

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