Kickstart Your Diet With The 10 Healthiest Foods
April 1st, 2008 Posted by: John Whelan
Everyone knows the benefits of eating healthy, they range from reducing your risks for diseases to helping you extend and improve your quality of life. Every day it seems like a new study comes out that contradicts an old study. Here’s a look at the 10 healthiest foods that have stood the test of time.
1. Avocados - 8 grams of fat in a slice of avocado may sound like a lot, but it’s an unsaturated fat that helps increase your good cholesterol while lowering the bad.
2. Broccoli has 3 grams of fiber per cup and is full of beta-carotene. Vitamin C is abundant in broccoli which should not be overcooked to keep it’s nutritional value.
3. Cranberries prevent bladder infections by fighting off harmful bacteria. A popular condiment of choice on Thanksgiving, cranberry juice and cranberry sauce are full of sugar but can be found at any health food store in supplement form.
4. Fish - There’s nothing fishy about why it’s one of the 10 healthiest foods. Fish like salmon and tuna, full of omega-3 fatty acids, cut down on the risk of heart disease.
5. Lentils - Lentils contain a great combination of 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber in half a cup. Along with being good for digestion and the heart, they also reduce the risk of breast cancer.
6. Milk particularly skim milk is recommended because of the many nutrients such as vitamin A, B2, D and calcium. If you are lactose intolerant try soya milk with organic ingredients and without sweeteners added.
7. Any food that comes from the ground is good for you, that’s why oats are one of the top ten foods because of it’s ability to reduce cholesterol. Oats will add fiber, protein and selenium to your diet as well.
8. Adding spinach to your nutrition list will add fiber and it also has cartenoids to protect your eyesight. Spinach is also under research by scientists for reducing the aging process. In any case it makes a great salad with sliced boiled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and almonds topped with balsamic vinegar & extra virgin olive oil.
9. Tomatoes - What kind of 10 healthiest foods list would this be without this essential staple and number one salad ingredient? Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of many cancers.
10. Almonds are high in fat but the good unsaturated kind. Through intensive research they have been proven to lower cholesterol levels. The almond is high in protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, fiber and other antioxidants. They are also known to balance blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Although there are more than 10 healthiest foods in the world, the ones discussed in this article are right up there in benefits and popularity. Once you try them it’s hard to give them up and your body will thank you for it.
