Broccoli
Rich in fiber and several detoxifying phytonutrients, broccoli may help you lower your cholesterol and risk of cancer. Pregnant women should also take notice – broccoli is a good source of folic acid, an important prenatal nutrient.
Tomatoes
Their deep red color gives away their most important nutrient: lycopene. This nutrient may have cancer-fighting properties that cut one's risk of prostate, lung and stomach cancers. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects your heart.
Carrots
Just one cup of chopped carrots contains nearly 10 percent of your muscle-building potassium intake and more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin A. New research shows that getting adequate amounts of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A, may drastically reduce your risk of diabetes.
Walnuts
A perfect way to get omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts are one heart-healthy nut. Study after study proves their vascular benefits, from decreasing "bad" cholesterol to reducing inflammation. They're also a flat belly food, preventing metabolic syndrome and the belly fat that goes with it!
Almonds
A quarter cup is right at 200 calories, but you also get 7 grams of protein, nearly 4 grams of fiber and more than half of your daily vitamin E. Those with high cholesterol should take note: Swapping almonds for a similar serving of a carb-heavy snack reduced heart disease risk by 30 percent.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
The Mediterranean diet (packed with lots of veggies and healthy fats) is considered to be one of the healthiest in the world. That's thanks largely to olive oil, which is full of monounsaturated fatty acids proven to boost heart health and decrease bad cholesterol.
Sweet Potatoes
Rich in fiber, studies show sweet potatoes may actually help type 2 diabetes patients improve their blood sugar regulation. They're also the best sources of vision-boosting beta carotene. Just make sure to add a bit of olive oil, because the fat helps your body better absorb the beta carotene.
Nonfat Yogurt
One container of nonfat yogurt contains right around 130 calories and 14 grams of protein, not to mention nearly 50 percent of you daily calcium needs. It makes a filling snack, especially if you add berries or nuts to it. But, most importantly, yogurt may be a dieter's best friend. A 2011 Harvard study found that people who ate more yogurt lost about .8 pounds every four years.
Bananas
These 100-calorie fruits are full of health benefits. Best known for their healthy amounts of blood pressure-lowering potassium, bananas also contain filling fiber and have compounds that help you absorb more healthy nutrients from your favorite foods.
Eggs
Though people with cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol may want to steer clear of these nutrient-packed foods, most people can dig in. A recent study including more than 200,000 people found that eating up to an egg a day did not increase risk of heart disease. With just 72 calories and 6 grams of protein per large egg, this popular breakfast food is an easy way to fill up. It's also packed with choline, an inflammation-fighting nutrient that's essential to our health but our bodies can't produce enough of it by themselves.
See also:
Foods That are Bad for You
Eggs
Though people with cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol may want to steer clear of these nutrient-packed foods, most people can dig in. A recent study including more than 200,000 people found that eating up to an egg a day did not increase risk of heart disease. With just 72 calories and 6 grams of protein per large egg, this popular breakfast food is an easy way to fill up. It's also packed with choline, an inflammation-fighting nutrient that's essential to our health but our bodies can't produce enough of it by themselves.
See also:
Foods That are Bad for You
