29 Healthiest Foods On The Planet

[JuzChris 1]

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The following is a "healthy food hot list" consisting of the 29 food that will give you the biggest nutritional bang for you caloric buck, as well as decrease your risk for deadly illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Along with each description is a suggestion as to how to incorporate these power-foods into your diet.

Yummy crab is in the list too! !!

01. Apricots

The Power: Beta-carotene, which helps prevent free-radical damage and

protect the eyes. The body also turns beta-carotene into vitamin A, which may

help ward off some cancers, especially of the skin. One apricot has 17 calories,

0 fat, 1 gram of fiber. Snacks on them dried, or if you prefer fresh, buy when still

firm; once they soften, they lose nutrients.

02. Avocados

The Power: Oleic acid, an unsaturated fat that helps lower overall cholesterol

and raise levels of HDL, plus a good dose of fiber. One slice has 81 calories, 8

grams of fat and 3 grams of fiber. Try a few slices instead of mayonnaise to

dress up your next burger.

03. Raspberries

The Power: Ellagic acid, which helps stall cancer-cell growth. These berries are

also packed with vitamin C and are high in fiber, which helps prevent high

cholesterol and heart disease. A cup has only 60 calories, 1 gram of fat and 8

grams of fiber. Top plain low-fat yogurt or oatmeal (another high fiber food)

with fresh berries.

04. Mango

The Power: A medium mango packs 57mg of vitamin C, almost your wholerecommended

daily dose. This antioxidant helps prevent arthritis and boosts

wound healing and your immune system. Mangoes also boast more than 8,000

IU of vitamin A (as beta-carotene). One mango has 135 calories, 1 gram of fat

and 4 grams of fiber. Cut on up and serve it over leafy greens. Bonus: Your

salad will taste like dessert!

05. Cantaloupe

The Power: Vitamin C (117mg in half a melon, almost twice the recommended

daily dose) and beta-carotene - both powerful antioxidants that help protect

cells from free-radical damage. Plus, half a melon has 853mg of potassium -

almost twice as much as a banana, which helps lower blood pressure. Half a

melon has 97 calories, 1 gram of fat and 2 grams of fiber. Cut into cubes and

freeze, then blend into an icy smoothie.

06. Cranberry Juice

The Power: Helps fight bladder infections by preventing harmful bacteria from

growing. A cup has 144 calories, 0 grams of fat and 0 fiber. Buy 100 percent

juice concentrate and use it to spice up your daily H20 without adding sugar.

07. Tomato

The Power: Lycopene, one of the strongest carotenoids, acts as an antioxidant.

Research shows that tomatoes may cut the risk of bladder, stomach and colon

cancers in half if eaten daily. A tomato has 26 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of

fiber. Drizzle fresh slices with olive oil, because lycopene is best absorbed when

eaten with a little fat.

08. Raisins

The Power: These little gems are a great source of iron, which helps the blood

transport oxygen and which many women are short on. A half-cup has 218

calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Sprinkle raisins on your morning oatmeal or

bran cereal - women, consider this especially during your period.

09. Figs

The Power: A good source of potassium and fiber, figs also contain vitamin B6,

which is responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin, lowering

cholesterol and preventing water retention. The Pill depletes B6, so if you use this

method of birth control, make sure to get extra B6 in your diet. One fig has 37 to

48 calories, 0 fat and 2 grams of fiber. (Cookie lovers - fig bars have around 56

calories, 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of fiber per cookie). Fresh figs are delicious

simmered alongside a pork tenderloin and the dried variety make a great portable gym snack.

10. Lemons/Limes

The Power: Limonene, furocoumarins and vitamin C, all of which help prevent

cancer. A wedge has 2 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. Buy a few of each and

squeeze over salads, fish, beans and vegetables for fat free flavor.

VEGETABLES

11. Onions

The Power: Quercetin is one of the most powerful flavonoids (natural plant

antioxidants). Studies show it helps protect against cancer. A cup (chopped)

has 61 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Chop onions for the maximum phytonutrient

boost, or if you hate to cry, roast them with a little olive oil and serve

with rice or other vegetables.

12. Artichokes

The Power: These odd-looking vegetables contain silymarin, an antioxidant that

helps prevent skin cancer, plus fiber to help control cholesterol. One medium

artichoke has 60 calories, 0 fat and 7 grams of fiber. Steam over boiling water

for 30 to 40 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice on top, then pluck the leaves off with

your fingers and use your teeth to scrape off the rich-tasting skin. When you get

to the heart, you have found the best part!

13. Ginger

The Power: Gingerols may help reduce queasiness; other compounds may help

ward off migraines and arthritis pain by blocking inflammation-causing

prostaglandins. A teaspoon of fresh gingerroot has only 1 calorie, 0 fat and 0

fiber. Peel the tough brown skin and slice or grate into a stir-fry.

14. Broccoli

The Power: Indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, which help protect against

breast cancer. Broccoli also has lots of vitamin C and beta-carotene. One cup

(chopped) has 25 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Don't overcook broccoli -

instead, microwave or steam lightly to preserve phytonutrients. Squeeze fresh

lemon on top for a zesty and taste, added nutrients and some vitamin C.

15. Spinach

The Power: Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that help fend off macular

degeneration, a major cause of blindness in older people. Plus, studies show this

green fountain of youth may help reverse some signs of aging. One cup has 7

calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber. Add raw leaves to a salad or sauté with a

little olive oil and garlic.

16. Bok Choy (Chinese cabbage)

The Power: Brassinin, which some research suggests may help prevent breast

tumors, plus indoles and isothiocyanates, which lower levels of estrogen, make

this vegetable a double-barreled weapon against breast cancer. A cup will

also give you 158mg of calcium (16 percent of your daily recommended

requirement) to help beat osteoporosis. A cup (cooked) has 20 calories, 0 fat

and 3 grams of fiber. Find it in your grocer's produce section or an Asian market.

Slice the greens and juicy white stalks, then sauté like spinach or toss into a stirfry

just before serving.

17. Squash (Butternut, Pumpkin, Acorn)

The Power: Winter squash has huge amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene,

which may help protect against endometrial cancer. One cup (cooked) has 80

calories, 1 gram of fat and 6 grams of fiber. Cut on in half, scoop out the seeds

and bake or microwave until soft, then dust with cinnamon.

18. Watercress and Arugula

The Power: Phenethyl isothiocyanate, which, along with betacarotene

and vitamins C and E, may help keep cancer cells at

bay. One cup has around 4 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber.

Do not cook these leafy greens; instead, use them to garnish a

sandwich or add a pungent, peppery taste to salad.

19. Garlic

The Power: The sulfur compounds that give garlic its pungent flavor can also

lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, lower blood pressure and even reduce your risk of

stomach and colon cancer. A clove has 4 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. Bake a

whole head for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft and sweet and spread on bread

instead of butter.

GRAINS/BEANS/NUTS

20. QuinoaThe Power: A half cup of cooked quinoa has 5

grams of protein, more than any other grain, plus

iron, riboflavin and magnesium. A half-cup has

318 calories, 5 grams of fat and 5 grams of fiber.

Add to soup for a protein boost. Rinse first, or it will

taste bitter.

21. Wheat Germ

The Power: A tablespoon gives you about 7 percent of your daily magnesium,

which helps prevent muscle cramps; it is also a good source of vitamin E. One

tablespoon has 27 calories, 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of fiber. Sprinkle some

over yogurt, fruit or cereal.

22. Lentils

The Power: Isoflavones, which may inhibit estrogen-promoted breast cancers,

plus fiber for heart health and an impressive 9 grams of protein per half cup. A

half-cup (cooked) has 115 calories, 0 fat and 8 grams of fiber. Isoflavones hold

up through processing, so buy lentils canned, dried or already in soup. Take

them to work, and you will have a protein packed lunch.

23. Peanuts

The Power: Studies show that peanuts or other nuts (which contain mostly

unsaturated "good" fat) can lower your heart-disease risk by over 20 percent.

One ounce has 166 calories, 14 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber. Keep a

packet in your briefcase, gym bag or purse for a protein-packed post-workout

nosh or an afternoon pick me up that will satisfy you until supper, or chop a few

into a stir-fry for a Thai accent.

24. Pinto Beans

The Power: A half cup has more than 25 percent of your daily requirement of

folate, which helps protect against heart disease and reduces the risk of birth

defects. A half-cup (canned) has 103 calories, 1 gram of fat and 6 grams of

fiber. Drain a can, rinse and toss into a pot of vegetarian chili.

25. Low fat Yogurt

The Power: Bacteria in active-culture yogurt helps prevent yeast infections;

calcium strengthens bones. A cup has 155 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of

fiber. Get the plain kind and mix in your own fruit to keep calories and sugar

down. If you are lactose intolerant, never fear - yogurt should not bother your

tummy.

26. Skim Milk

The Power: Riboflavin (a.k.a. vitamin B2) is important for good vision and along

with vitamin A might help improve eczema and allergies. Plus, you get calcium

and vitamin D, too. One cup has 86 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. If you are used to

high fat milk, don't go cold turkey; instead, mix the two together at first. Trust this

fact: In a week or two you won't miss it!

SEAFOOD

27. Shellfish (Clams, Mussels)

The Power: Vitamin B12 to support nerve and brain function, plus iron and hardto-

get minerals like magnesium and potassium. Three ounces has 126 to 146

calories, 2 to 4 grams of fat and 0 fiber. Try a bowl of tomato-based (and low

fat) Manhattan clam chowder.

28. Salmon

The Power: Cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna are the best sources

of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of cardiac disease. A 3-

ounce portion (cooked) has 127 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 fiber. Brush fillets with

ginger-soy marinade and grill or broil until fish flakes easily with a fork.

29. Crab

The Power: A great source of vitamin B12 and immunity-boosting zinc. A 3-

ounce portion has 84 calories, 1 gram of fat, 0 fiber. The "crab" in sushi is usually

made from fish; buy it canned instead and make your own crab cakes.

Edited March 1, 2007 by JuzChris