Maximize Your Health With The 10 Healthiest Foods

By: John Whelan

Published: April 3, 2008

Maximize Your Health With The 10 Healthiest Foods

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 - Full of beta-carotene and vitamin C, broccoli also includes three grams of fiber per cup. To preserve the nutritional value, be careful not to overcook the vegetable.

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. With 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber in half a cup, lentils are packed full of nutrients. Lentils help with digestion and guards against heart attacks and breast cancer.

6. Skim milk is low in fat and has many healthy nutrients including vitamin A, B2, D and calcium. Soya milk is a healthy replacement if you are lactose intolerant but get the organic version without sweeteners.

7. Naturally oats are on the top ten list because of it's cholesterol reducing quality. Oats also have lots of fiber, protein and selenium to add to a healthy diet to boost your immune system.

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. The tomato is by far the most popular vegetable and most abundant natural source of lycopene in the world. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is intrumental in reducing the risk of various 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.

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