List Of Healthy Food
These super-foods are proven, expert-beloved disease fighters and energy boosters. Add them to your meals and get on the fast track to a super healthy body.
Lemons
Just one lemon has more than 100% of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.
Citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help stop the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Quick Tip:
Add a slice of lemon to your green tea. One study found that citrus increases your body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80%.
Broccoli
One medium stipe of broccoli contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C two essential bone-building nutrients.
The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.
Quick Tip:
Zap it! Preserve up to 90% of broccoli’s vitamin C by microwaving. Steaming or boiling holds on to just 66% of the nutrient.
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.
Quick Tip:
A dark chocolate bar contains about 53.5 milligrams of flavonoids; a milk chocolate bar has fewer than 14.
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 8 times the amount of cancer fighting and immune-boosting vitamin A you need daily.
Quick Tip:
Let your potato cool before eating. Research shows that doing so can help you burn close to 25% more fat after a meal, thanks to a fat-resistant starch.
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% of your daily dose of niacin, which may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
Quick Tip:
Opt for wild over farm-raised, which contains 16 times as much toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) as wild salmon.
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.
Quick Tip:
Eat a few for dessert The antioxidant melatonin, found in walnuts, helps to regulate sleep.
Avocados
Rich in healthy, satisfactory fats proven in one study to lower cholesterol by about 22%.
One has more than half the fiber and 40% of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Quick Tip:
Adding it to your salad can increase the absorption of key nutrients like beta-carotene by 3 to 5 times compared with salads without this superfood.
Garlic
Garlic is a powerful disease fighter that can stop the growth of bacteria, including E. coli.
Allicin, a compound found in garlic, works as a potent anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood-pressure levels.
Quick Tip:
Crushed fresh garlic releases the most allicin. Just don’t overcook, garlic exposed to high heat for more than 10 minutes loses important nutrients.
Spinach
Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, 2 immune-boosting antioxidants important for eye health.
Recent research found that among cancer-fighting fruits and veggies, spinach is one of the most effective.
Quick Tip:
Spinach is a healthy and flavorless addition to any smoothie. You won’t taste it, we promise! Try blending 1 cup spinach, 1 cup grated carrots, 1 banana, 1 cup apple juice, and ice.
Beans
Eating a serving of legumes beans, peas, and lentils 4 times a week can lower your risk of heart disease by 22%.
That same habit may also reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Quick Tip:
The darker the bean, the more antioxidants it contains. One study found that black bean hulls contain 40 times the amount of antioxidants found in white bean hulls.