THE HEALTHIEST FOOD ON EARTH!

I haven’t completely eliminated pork and beef in my meals, but, I’m trying.  White rice, nah! Not for me anymore.  I still enjoy rice though, but now it’s brown or red.  Soda? I’ve completely eliminated that in my diet and I don’t miss it! Really proud about that!

I tell you, there’s a lot of other delicious healthy food to eat.  Who says eating healthy food is boring and tasteless?  Look at the list of some of the healthiest food health experts agree on.  They’re actually not bad and most are even yummy!  And you don’t have to starve to look fit and beautiful. 

Happy eating, and oh, don’t forget that eating 3 to 4 small meals a day is better than eating 1 or 2 huge meals!  Oh, alright, alright! You can eat about 5x a day, but , don’t forget to choose healthy foods!

Salmon
A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, heart disease, and cancer. A 3-ounce serving contains almost 50 percent of your daily dose of niacin, which may protect against Alzheimer's disease and memory loss.

Soy Soy products such as tofu soy drinks are great substitutes for animal products. Soy beans contain high amounts of protein which comprise of all essential amino acids.  They are also a rich source of calcium and iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. Numerous scientific studies demonstrated that a diet containing significant soy protein may benefit heart health. In addition, other health benefits of soy such are the prevention of prostate & breast cancer as well as osteoporosis.

Berries Loaded with Vitamin C, folate, fiber and phytonutrients. Fresh berries are some of the most powerful disease fighting food.

WholeGrains Whole grains have some valuable antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables. They also contain B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber. To include more servings of whole grains in your diet, use whole-wheat flour in your recipes instead of white flour. Look for the word "whole" when purchasing packaged foods such as cereals, biscuits, pasta and breads. In addition, try adding wild rice, brown rice, quinoa or barley in your soup to increase whole grain intake.

          Lemons

Just one lemon has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.  Citrus flavanoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.

         Broccoli

One medium stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C, two essential bone-building nutrients.  The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.

         Dark Chocolate

Just one-fourth of an ounce daily can reduce blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.  Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants shown to reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase "good" HDL levels.

        Potatoes

One red potato contains 66 micrograms of cell-building folate, about the same amount found in one cup of spinach or broccoli.  One sweet potato has almost eight times the amount of cancer-fighting and immune-boosting vitamin A you need daily.

        

Walnuts

Contain the most omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce cholesterol, of all nuts.  Omega-3s have been shown to improve mood and fight cancer; they may protect against sun damage, too.

Avocados

Rich in healthy, satisfying fats proven in studies to lower cholesterol by about 22 percent.  One has more than half the fiber and 40 percent of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.

        

Garlic

Garlic is a powerful disease fighter that can inhibit the growth of bacteria.  Allicin, a compound found in garlic, works as a potent anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood-pressure levels.

        

Spinach

Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two immune-boosting antioxidants important for eye health.  Recent research found that among cancer-fighting fruits and veggies, spinach is one of the most effective.

Beans

Eating a serving of legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) four times a week can lower your risk of heart disease by 22 percent.  That same habit may also reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Mangoes

Just one cup of mango supplies three-quarters of a day’s vitamin C, one quarter of a day’s vitamin A, a decent dose of blood-pressure-lowering potassium, and 3 grams of fiber. Bonus: mango is one of the fruits least likely to have harmful pesticide residue.

Unsweetened Yogurt

Plain yogurt has a pleasant tartness that’s a perfect foil for the natural sweetness of berries, bananas, or for your favorite breakfast cereal. It has more protein, potassium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins B-6 and B-12 than sweetened yogurt. That’s because it doesn’t have to share the container with the sugary preserves or the sugar that’s in many flavored yogurts.

Garbanzo Beans

All beans are good beans. They’re rich in protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. But garbanzos stand out because they’re so versatile. Just drain, rinse, and toss a handful on your green salad; throw them into vegetable stews, curries, and soups; mix them with brown rice, whole wheat couscous, bulgur, or other whole grains.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a heavyweight in the nutrient department. A standard serving (about 2 cups) has one-third of a day’s vitamins A and C and a nice shot of potassium for only 85 fat-free, salt-free calories. And when they’re in season, watermelons are often locally grown, which means they may have a smaller carbon footprint than some other fruits.

Butternut Squash

Steam a sliced squash or buy peeled, diced butternut squash at the supermarket that’s ready to go into the oven, a stir-fry, or a soup. It’s an easy way to get payloads of vitamins A and C and fiber.

Sources http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/

    http://www.healthcastle.com/

    http://www.cspinet.org/

Image by: jackberetta at deviant art