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October 11, 2021Foods that Keep You Healthy While at Sea
Ever heard the saying you are what you eat? While it may sound a bit cliché, the challenges that seafarers face on board ships, rigs and other maritime vessels makes one realize the importance of good health while working in a rough environment on ships. Therefore, a major element of crew welfare is ensuring that this environment encourages a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative that whilst on board, all crew members have access to healthy food choices that will enable them to optimise their performance in their role while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating right helps maintain the body’s everyday functions, promotes optimal body weight and can assist in disease prevention. It can also help with stress and fatigue. Food is a massively important part of any healthy lifestyle.
The next time you’re shopping for Chandlery items for your vessel, make sure it contains these foods.
Fruits
When it comes to nutritional bang for your buck, fruits are hard to beat. Fruits act as cleansers for your body, give you energy and supply a vast array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that promote good health. When consumed in high amounts, vitamin C may decrease the severity and duration of the common cold. Fruits are also high in phenolic compounds and terpenes, which exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Adding fruit to your diet is as simple as eating an apple with your lunch or having a banana with your breakfast. Aim to add at least two or three servings to your daily diet to get the numerous benefits fruits have to offer.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. This popular fatty fish is loaded with nutrients and may reduce risk factors for several diseases. It’s the kind of food that’s tasty at all hours of the day. The combo of omega-3’s, selenium, and vitamins A and D are key for improving immunity, both in the short and long term. Studies have suggested that increasing the consumption of fatty fish such as salmon decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It provides ample protein but far less saturated fat content, making salmon an ideal protein source for maintaining weight loss or a normal-range body mass index (BMI).
Nuts
Nuts are a very popular food. They’re tasty, convenient, and can be enjoyed on all kinds of diets. They are a good source of healthful fats, fibre, and other beneficial nutrients. Nuts are among the best sources of plant-based proteins. According to a 2017 study, a diet rich in nuts may help prevent risk factors, such as inflammation, for some chronic diseases. Nuts are among the best sources of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant involved in immune function. Vitamin E has immunomodulatory effects which include stimulating the activity of the white blood cells involved in the innate immune response. The vitamin contained within may reduce the risk of certain infections, including respiratory illnesses.
Broccoli
Known as a cruciferous vegetable, Broccoli has a reputation as a superfood. It’s probably one of the top foods that come to mind when you think about healthy eating. But you may not be aware of just how beneficial this cruciferous vegetable is for your health. It is low in calories but contains a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants that support many aspects of human health. One cup of broccoli provides as much vitamin C as an orange. The veggie is also high in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Broccoli supplies an array of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, and B6). Together, these vitamins and minerals help the immune system to run in top form.
Ginger
Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. A spice for both savory and sweet dishes, ginger boasts strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, the cornerstones of a healthy immune system. Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional/alternative medicine. It’s believed that ginger helps to break down the accumulation of toxins in our organs due to its warming effects. It’s also known to cleanse the lymphatic system, our network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials.
