A list of the top 10 healthiest foods may seem unbelievable. But there are foods that possess such strong health benefits, that they are referred to as "super foods".
This healthy food list consists of foods that have more nutrients per calorie than most other foods. They have also been shown to contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that prevent disease: from cancer to heart disease to arthritis, and many more.
These super foods are ideal for heart healthy, low fat cooking. We should include the 10 healthiest as part of a healthy eating program on a regular basis. Our list of super foods is arranged alphabetically, not in order of importance.
The 10 Healthiest Foods
1 Berries
Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants which help protect the cells in our bodies from diseases like cancer. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble fiber.
2 Broccoli
Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight cancer, especially affecting the breast, colon and lung. It boosts the immune system.
3 Citrus Fruits
The citrus bioflavanoids in oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer
4 Garlic
Numerous studies have shown that garlic can lower blood pressure and decrease LDL cholesterol (the "bad" one) while increasing the good HDL cholesterol.
5 Nuts
Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that protect us against heart disease. Almonds can also help lower LDL cholesterol levels.
6 Oats
Oats help reduce cholesterol. Oats are also an excellent grain for diabetics as they have less impact on blood sugar levels than some other grains.
7 Salmon
The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish may help prevent heart disease and stroke.
8 Spinach
Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the primary cause of preventable blindness in the elderly.
9 Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect against cancer, particular cancer of the prostate.
10 Turkey
Turkey is especially lean and low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium which has been shown to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of our thyroid hormone. Next time you cook a turkey, be sure to make the most of the turkey leftovers.
The top 10 healthiest foods, or "super foods", are easy to fit into a healthy diet. By consuming these super foods on a regular basis you can easily gain many health benefits.
This article was contributed by Karen Ciancio. Karen is a cook and a fan of all things cooking related. Her website Cooking Nook contains recipes that feature each of these super foods plus lots of other recipes, cooking tips and kitchen ideas.
