Incredibly Healthy Foods #11-15
11. Olive Oil
Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), which lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and raise "good" HDL cholesterol. It's rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, like Alzheimer's.
Look for extra virgin oils for the most antioxidants and flavor. Drizzle small amounts on veggies before roasting; use it to saute or stir fry, in dressings and marinades and to flavor bread at dinner in lieu of a layer of butter or margarine.
12. Avocado
These smooth, buttery fruits are a great source of not only MUFAs but other key nutrients as well. One Ohio State University study found that when avocado was added to salads and salsa, it helped increase the absorption of specific carotenoids, plant compounds linked to lower risk of heart disease and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. "Avocados are packed with heart-protective compounds, such as soluble fiber, vitamin E, folate and potassium," says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet.
13. Broccoli
Pick any life-threatening disease - cancer, heart disease, you name it - and eating more broccoli and its cruciferous cousins may help you beat it, Johns Hopkins research suggests. Averaging just four weekly servings of veggies like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower slashed the risk of dying from any disease by 26% among 6,100 people studied for 28 years.
For maximum disease-fighting benefits, whip out your old veggie steamer. It turns out that steaming broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of sulforaphane.
14. Spinach
We'll spare you the Popeye jokes, but spinach has serious healthy muscles. For one thing, it contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in egg yolks. Aside from guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, lutein may prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol.
Spinach is also rich in iron, which helps deliver oxygen to your cells for energy, and folate, a B vitamin that prevents birth defects. Cook frozen spinach leaves (they provide more iron when cooked than raw) and serve as a side dish with dinner a few times a week.
15. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are our most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. The only problem with tomatoes is that we generally eat them in the form of sugar-loaded jarred spaghetti sauce or as a thin slice on a sandwich. For a healthier side dish idea, quarter plum tomatoes and coat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, and serve with grilled chicken breast.
Tomatoes are our most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. The only problem with tomatoes is that we generally eat them in the form of sugar-loaded jarred spaghetti sauce or as a thin slice on a sandwich. For a healthier side dish idea, quarter plum tomatoes and coat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, and serve with grilled chicken breast.
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