Blueberries
These amazing berries are on anyone's
list of super foods. Recent research shows
that they're brain food -- feeding
blueberries to rats actually slows their
age-related mental decline. Blueberries
contain pterostilbene, a plant compound
recently shown to have
cholesterol-lowering properties. Their
ORAC value (antioxidant rating) is the
highest
of any fruit. And blueberries are rich in
fiber. Tip: Try them frozen. They taste
like sherbet!
Guava
Among the super foods of the world,
guava is a sleeper. With a taste that's
been described as "part strawberry and
part pear," one low-calorie cup of this
vitamin-rich fruit contains a whopping
eight grams of fiber. And in one widely
used test of antioxidant power, guava
scored second only to blueberries, right
behind kale. Guava also contains
cancer-fighting lycopene.
Kale
Kale is a member of the brassica
family -- vegetable royalty that boasts
cabbage and broccoli among its relatives.
It's rich in potent cancer-fighting
substances called indoles, and loaded with
bone-building vitamin K. Kale has the
highest antioxidant rating of any
vegetable and is ridiculously low in
calories. Try it tossed with olive oil, a
few dried cranberries and some pine nuts.
Sardines
These little fish are the best kept
secret in the world when it comes to
health foods and the secret weapon of
travelers looking for a cheap, portable,
easily available source of protein.
Sardines are rich in omega-3 fats, and one
of the least contaminated of any seafood
since they rank so low on the food chain.
Eat them out of the can or throw them on
some salad.
Apples
The juicy red or green apple's
reputation for keeping you out of the
doctor's office is well deserved. Loaded
with pectin (an important fiber), apples
are one of the best sources of boron, a
little-known nutrient that helps support
strong and healthy bones. An apple with a
glass of water is a great natural appetite
suppressant. Highest antioxidant value:
Red Delicious
Coconut Oil
This superb oil has been long
neglected as a healthy oil because it
contains saturated fat. But not to worry:
The saturated fat in coconut is a very
healthy kind called MCT (medium chain
triglyecerides) which is easily burned by
the body for energy. Coconut oil also
contains lauric acid, a natural anti-viral
and anti-microbal. And today's excellent
virgin coconut oil -- unlike the inferior
products of a few decades ago -- doesn't
contain trans fats.
Green Tea
A superstar beverage if there ever was
one, green tea helps with weight loss and
helps fight against cancer. It contains
EGCG, a catechin (plant compound) which
stimulates metabolism and has anti-cancer
properties to boot. Green tea also
contains theanine, a natural relaxant
which helps explain why the caffeine in
green tea doesn't make you nearly as
jittery as coffee.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed oil is one of the only plant
sources of omega-3 fats, but the flaxseeds
themselves provide the added benefit of
fiber along with omega-3. Flaxseeds can be
thrown on salads, tossed into smoothies,
or sprinkled on vegetables. They also
contain lignans, a group of plant
nutrients that have been studied by the
National Cancer Institute for their cancer
preventive properties.
