Kickstart Your Diet With The 10 Healthiest Foods

By John Whelan in Health on April 1st, 2008

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by John Whelan

The benefits of healthy eating is known to help fight disease and obesity. This is a known fact but advertising has turned our society into a fast food world. Changing eating habits is the easiest step to take with the following 10 healthiest foods.

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. Not only is broccoli full of fiber but also has beta-carotene and vitamin C. Broccoli can be steamed on the stove top, but not too long since the nutritional value will decrease.

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. Omega-3 fatty acids must be attained from food namely fish, rated as one of the top 10 healthiest foods. Salmon, Tuna, Halibut and fresh water fish help with optimizing brain function including normal growth and development.

5. Lentils - Lentils contain a great combination of 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber in half a cup. Along with being good for digestion and the heart, they also reduce the risk of 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. Spinach, a leafy green full of fiber and cartenoids for protecting your eyesight is a welcome addition to any nutrition regimen. The possibility of spinach reversing the aging process in humans is being looked into by research scientists around the world.

9. Tomatoes - What kind of 10 healthiest foods list would this be without this essential staple and number one salad ingredient? Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of many cancers.

10. Almonds have been considered a fat filled snack, but research has shown that they actually lower blood cholesterol levels. Ninety percent of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, and the nuts are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Almonds regulate blood pressure and help prevent osteoporosis.

As you can see, these 10 healthiest foods cover a wide variety. Anyone ought to be able to find at least a few of them appetizing enough to include in their diets. Your body will thank you for it by giving you a boost in energy and overall wellness.

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Don’t get suckered by diet pills! Read what to eat to lose weight & a quick way to lose weight.