Top 10 Super Foods

Top Ten Super Foods For a Healthier You

By Spencer Gabato

Is there a secret to a healthy and long life? It starts in the food we eat. As you well know, some foods are healthier than others. Choosing what food you eat can determine your life expectancy and so too is the quality of your life.

There are power packed foods which can give you vitality, energy and great health. Here are ten of them:

1. Oatmeal - This food can lower your blood cholesterol as well as keep your blood sugar constant. It is growing in popularity as such. It does not matter how you prepare it, it can provide you with fiber that your body needs and keep hunger at bay.

2. Beans - If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Soaking them first can help. Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high in protein. This is plant protein so it [carries|contains very little fat, calories, carbs. If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy serving of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy.

3. Allium foods - Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks belong to this class of foods. Allium veggies help can minimize cancer risk and other ailments. They can lower blood pressure and thin the blood preventing blood clots. As you may have already known, garlic can lower cholesterol levels. Eating these kind of food can increase your health levels.

4. Fruits - Fruits are filled with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and A. Antioxidants fight damage against free radicals in the body and reduce the risk of cancer. Berries such as blueberries, acai, and grapes have the highest amount of antioxidants. But choose an array of fruits in a wide variety of colors for maximum health. The antioxidants in fruit supercharges the immune system to fight the effects of aging in the body.

5. Flax seed - Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this seed. Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, ingested with cereal or added to pancake mix to name a few.

6. Salmon - One of the strong qualities of omega-3 fatty acids is that it can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and reduce heart disease risk. These fish have good fats which are proven to boost the health of adults and children as well. Proteins in salmon can help build muscle tissue.

7. Nuts and seeds - Fats found in these food are the good kind. Brazil nuts, peanuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts all provide good fat and protein. It can help lower cholesterol and it can be eaten raw untarnished by preservatives.

8. Peppers - Just like other fruits and vegetables, they contain antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene. Some peppers can be very hot so eat little bits rather than large chunks. One notable substance found in peppers is the capsaicin which has pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, lowering heart disease risk and lowering cancer risk properties. They can be combined with all sorts of dishes.

9. Yogurt - The fat free variety can give more health benefits to you. It is high in protein, vitamin B, and calcium. You can take yogurt as a calcium source if you do not drink milk. Your digestive system can also benefit from this food because it contains live friendly bacteria.

10. Acai - This is probably the berry which contain the highest amount of antioxidants. This food can also increase your energy. Acai berry juice, drinks and supplements can be purchased from health food supplies.