If you have always wanted the “ultimate shopping list” of the healthiest foods available, search no longer. You’ve found it. Let this list comprise the majority of your overall diet and you’ll regain or improve your health by leaps and bounds!
APPLES
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.
Find out why.
APRICOTS
These orangey little fruits are a health inducing powerhouse!
Read more here.
ARTICHOKES
While it can be tough to eat these without drenching them in butter or mayo, these fabulous green globes may actually lower your cholesterol.
Find out more here.
AVOCADOS
Avocados are pretty tough not to love. Read on to find out why.
Read more about avocado’s benefits here.
BANANAS
Bananas may be one of the most pleasant ways to enhance your health.
Find out how by reading more here.
BEANS
Beans provide a ton of fiber to your healthy eating plan. They also provide a host of other health benefits as well. Read about them here.
BEETS
You either love em’ or hate em’. There’s very little in between. But if you love em’, you’ll have a great leg up on those that don’t. Find out why here.
BLUEBERRIES
These lovely little berries are a true nutritional powerhouse!
Find out what they can do for you here.
BROCCOLI
When Mom told you to eat your broccoli, she knew what she was talking about!
Find out about Broccoli’s main health benefit here.
CABBAGE
For those of you who love your cabbage, you can brag about the extra health benefits you may be getting. Find out what to tell your friends here.
CANTALOUPE
Cut into one of these lovely melons and you may just improve your health
in the following ways…
CARROTS
Every kid knows you have to eat your carrots to have healthy eyes. Well guess what? The same applies to adults! But that’s not all you get out of eating your carrots.
Click here to read about the health benefits carrots have to offer.
CAULIFLOWER
This good for you veggie is tops in Vitamin C and Manganese.
Find out what else cauliflower can contribute to your overall health.
CHERRIES
Cherries are one of those nutritional super foods that you should devour while you have the chance. When cherry season arrives, you can feel good about what you’re doing to preserve your brain and heart health. Cherries may be credited with slowing down the aging process and even with ending insomnia!
CHESTNUTS
Often overlooked, these nuts may be great for weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol. They may fight cancer too!
CHILI PEPPERS
Heat up your meals every chance you get by adding chili peppers to your plate. They promise better digestion, an improved immune system, better blood circulation and digestion. There is even a rumor that chili peppers aid in weight loss by increasing your metabolism!
DARK CHOCOLATE
If you need a good excuse to eat your chocolate, look no further. Dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) may be great for cardiovascular health, premature aging and cancer. And guess what!? Dark chocolate is low on the glycemic index!
FIGS
I had a fig tree in my yard growing up and I never ate a single fig. Of course now, I could kick myself for it. Why? Because figs may aid in weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and may even fight cancer. Not bad for this old world fruit!
FISH
While we have to be increasingly careful about the fish we eat, it’s incredibly healthy for you if you can find the good stuff. It may protect your heart, fight cancer and strengthen your immune system.
FLAX
This little seed is a nutritional powerhouse. It may help your digestion, strengthen your immune system and help with diabetes. The only thing better than flax is Chia seeds. But that doesn’t mean you should forgo flax. It’s far more readily available than Chia seeds and often more cost-effective for those on a budget.
GARLIC
Most folks these days know the benefits of eating garlic. But just in case you don’t, here’s the low-down. Garlic may lower cholesterol, help with high blood pressure, fights cancer and even kill certain bacteria. And don’t forget the REAL benefit of garlic. It scares away the vampires! (Or anyone else who gets to close to you after you’ve eaten a lot of it! lol)
GRAPEFRUIT
These under-appreciated fruits may help with weight loss, strengthening your heart and lowering cholesterol.
GRAPES
This fruit is fabulously portable so there’s no excuse not to include them in your healthy eating plan. They may strengthen your eyes, help with circulation and may even fight cancer and kidney stones.
GREEN TEA
1 cup a day is the general rule of thumb with green tea. It may help you fight cancer cells, lose weight and battle against strokes.
HONEY
This ancient medicinal remedy has been used for millenia for various ailments. Among those are the ability to heal wounds, increase digestion and even fight allergies. Try to find local honey if you are using it for allergies.
LEMON/LIME
These sour fruits are amazing at so many things. They may fight everything from cancer to the common cold. Never miss a chance to include these in your eating plan.
MANGOS
This tropical delight may help strengthen your memory as well as your digestion. It also may fight cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
MUSHROOMS
The lowly mushroom deserves a pedestal for its medicinal uses. It may help control blood pressure and lower your cholesterol. And yes, like many other foods on this list, mushrooms may fight cancer too!
OATS
Oats are well-known for their possible cholesterol lowering abilities. But did you know they may also improve the condition of your skin and help fight diabetes?
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil should be a part of many dishes you cook. It may strengthen the heart, fight diabetes and cancer and help with weight loss. For those with dry skin, it may be an excellent way to cleanse your skin as well! Just put a little on a cotton ball and wipe clean. You’ll never use cleansers and water again!
ONIONS
Onions add a flavorful punch to any dish. But they also may improve your cholesterol and strengthen your heart.
ORANGES
We all know that a nice glass of OJ goes well with just about any breakfast. But did you know that oranges may strengthen your immune system, fight cancer and strengthen your heart?
PEACHES
These summer time treats may be great for digestion and constipation.
PEANUTS
While many have allergies to these little guys, but those that don’t, may enjoy a lower risk of heart disease, cholesterol and prostate cancer. Plus, they may help with weight loss!
PINEAPPLE
Never miss a chance to eat pineapple! Not only is it absolutely delicious on a hot summer day, it may also strengthen your digestion and your bones and aid with weight loss.
PRUNES
So, I think most of us know that one particular benefit that prunes provide. They will definitely “get things moving” when you are constipated. But they may also help your memory and lower your cholesterol.
PUMPKIN
Some folks see pumpkins as something to carve once a year. But the truth is, your friendly Jack-O-Lantern also provides tons of fiber and may control blood pressure and normalize heart function. So this year, carve your pumpkin a few hours before dark, and then bring it in for cooking when the festivities are finished.
POMEGRANATES
These amazing fruits may have up to 7 times the amount of antioxidants of green tea! Impressed? They may also fight cancer, and reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
RICE (BROWN)
Brown rice should be a staple in every one’s diet. Not only is it a very low allergen food, it may also protect your heart and fight diabetes, kidney stones and cancer.
SALMON
Wild salmon provides oodles of omega-3 essential fatty acids, a crucial bit of nutrition for us humans. But that’s not all. Salmon also provides many other vitamins like vitamin B3 and B12 which contribute to a healthy metabolism.
SPINACH
Popeye had the right idea. You have to eat your spinach to grow strong! Why? Spinach may help fight cancer, improve your cardiovascular health and improve brain function!
STRAWBERRIES
These little berries are easy to include in your eating plan. I mean, who doesn’t like strawberries? (Unless you’re allergic). Strawberries may fight cancer, strengthen your heart, helps you stay calm and increase your memory.
SWEET POTATOES
Healthy eaters know, sweet potatoes are a fantastic carb to include in your healthy eating plan! But why? Because they may protect your vision, encourage a good mood, fight cancer and keep your bones strong. That’s why!
TOMATOES
These fabulous orbs may be big time cancer fighters! They also help battle high cholesterol.
WALNUTS
These nuts may be great for lowering cholesterol, fighting cancer and improving your memory. (I need LOTS of walnuts!)
WATER
We all know we have to get our 8 glasses of water every day (although, we also now know that it can very according to your size and weight). But why is water so vital? Put aside the fact that your body is mostly water to begin with, and you’re left with the fact that water may help you lose weight, fight cancer, keep your skin in great condition and help you battle kidney stones.
WATERMELON
This wonderful summer time treat may be a fabulous aid for weight loss, lowering cholesterol, avoiding strokes and controlling your blood pressure. So eat up!
WHEAT GERM
The healthiest “germ” you’ll ever include in your diet! It may help fight colon cancer, keep things “moving smoothly” and help your digestion in a big way.
WHEAT BRAN
Bran is just as important as the germ. It may help fight colon cancer and keep constipation at bay. But it may also lower cholesterol while it keeps your digestion moving smoothly.
YOGURT
Choose non-fat Greek yogurt to get more protein on top of the following benefits: it may help with increased bone strength, lower cholesterol, a better immune system and better digestion. May also be great for ulcers.
I did not compile this list. Once again I just copied it here so I would have it handy for myself. Please visit Skinny Ms.
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