| A list of the top 10 healthiest foods may | | | | being overly sticky and decreases LDL |
| seem like a come-on. Magic food? We all know | | | | cholesterol (the "bad" one) while increasing |
| there are no real magic foods. The road to | | | | the good HDL cholesterol.5. Nuts |
| optimum health is not in a pill or one magic | | | | |
| food. But there are foods that pack such a | | | | Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 |
| nutritional wallop and possess such powerful | | | | fatty acids, a special type of fat that is |
| health benefits, that they are referred to as | | | | essential for our bodies, but that the body |
| "super foods".This healthy food list consists | | | | cannot produce. Omega-3 essential fatty acids |
| of foods that are nutrient dense. That is, | | | | protect us against heart disease.Almonds are |
| they have more nutrients per calorie than | | | | also known for their ability to help lower |
| most other foods. They have also been proven | | | | LDL cholesterol levels.6. Oats |
| to contain vitamins, minerals and other | | | | |
| nutrients that prevent disease: from cancer | | | | Oats also help reduce cholesterol. Research |
| to heart disease to arthritis, and many | | | | shows that one bowl of oatmeal per day can |
| more.These super foods are perfect for heart | | | | reduce cholesterol by up to 23%. Oats are |
| healthy, low fat cooking and most fit | | | | also considered an excellent grain for |
| perfectly into a low carb lifestyle as | | | | diabetics as they have less impact on blood |
| well.The 10 healthiest foods are foods that | | | | sugar levels than some other grains.7. Salmon |
| are so exceptionally good for us that we | | | | |
| should include them in our healthy diet on a | | | | |
| regular basis. Our list of super foods is | | | | The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other |
| arranged alphabetically, not in order of | | | | fatty fish may help prevent heart disease and |
| importance. Each is an amazing food, jam | | | | stroke by lowering the body's rate of blood |
| packed with health giving benefits.The 10 | | | | clotting.8. Spinach |
| Healthiest Foods to Eat1. Berries | | | | |
| | | | Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it |
| Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants | | | | one of the best foods in the world to prevent |
| which help protect the cells in our bodies | | | | cataracts, as well as age related macular |
| from damage and therefore from diseases like | | | | degeneration, the leading cause of |
| cancer. Among other things they are also an | | | | preventable blindness in the elderly.9. |
| excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble | | | | Tomatoes |
| fiber. Blueberries might help reverse the | | | | |
| short term memory loss that often comes with | | | | Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene. |
| aging.2. Broccoli | | | | Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and as |
| | | | such helps to protect the cells in our bodies |
| Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables | | | | from damage.10. Turkey |
| like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight | | | | |
| cancer, especially breast, colon and lung. It | | | | Turkey is one of the leanest protein foods |
| boosts the immune system. Broccoli also | | | | and is low in calories, making it an |
| contains antioxidants and a substance called | | | | excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also |
| sulforaphane, which research is showing to be | | | | contains selenium which has been shown to |
| a powerful cancer fighter and preventer.3. | | | | inhibit cancer development, improve the |
| Citrus Fruits | | | | immune system, and aid in the metabolism of |
| | | | our thyroid hormone.You can see that the top |
| The citrus bioflavanoids in oranges, lemons, | | | | 10 healthiest foods, or "super foods", are |
| limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer and | | | | also some of our favorites. By including |
| antioxidant properties. | | | | these super foods in a healthy diet on a |
| | | | regular basis you can easily gain many health |
| Many of these citrus bioflavanoids have also | | | | benefits.Making healthy food choices just got |
| been shown to have anti-inflammatory and | | | | easier.Karen Ciancio is a cook and a fan of |
| blood clot inhibiting abilities.4. Garlic | | | | all things cooking related. Her website |
| | | | contains recipes that feature each of these |
| Numerous studies have shown that regular | | | | super foods plus lots of other recipes, |
| consumption of garlic can lower our blood | | | | cooking tips and kitchen ideas. |
| pressure. It also prevents the blood from | | | | |