Top 5 Healthy Foods

Published Jan 04 2010

In this article, we are going to have a good look at some of the most healthy staples you can add to you diet. Now with the vast range of wonderful foods God brings forth from the Earth, it would be difficult to say that any five could truly be the "Top Five". Not to mention ant list that attempts to rank a list of items would always be subject to the various opinions of the reader. Therefore, here we will not attempt a ranking but rather choose five very healthy items and discuss the healthy delights of each.

In no particular order, we'll start with the gloriously tasty tomato. The world can't quite decide if the this juicy red ball is a fruit or a vegetable. Science says fruit; cooks say vegetable. No matter, this plump little sphere is definitely good and good for you. For starters, it's completely packed with vitamin C, and has a good amount of other vitamins including vitamin A, K, E, and B, as well as an assortment of minerals. Tomatoes also contain the antioxidant, Lycopene, known for its cancer fighting properties. Lycopene has been shown to protect against prostate, and other cancers.

Our second one is a fruit for sure. As far as antioxidants go, she is a powerhouse. The sweet and beautiful blueberry is packed with antioxidant phytonutrients, that neutralize free radicals that can cause glaucoma, cataracts, heart disease and cancer. Also the pigments found in blueberries (Anthocyanins), improve the integrity of the entire vascular system, as well as a variety of other cellular benefits.

Third, we come to another fruit vegetable confusion. A "wonderful fruit" (as the song goes), the mighty bean! There are so many delicious beans but for time sake lets take the Pinto Bean, which by the way are as old as time for a reason! They are high in fiber, protein, magnesium, and many other nutrients. Diets high in fiber have a range of health benefits including strong defenses against tooth decay. I think you could literally live off of beans. Also, beans are probably one of the better arguments for vegetarianism from my view.

However, a meat that is frequently in my view is a nice steamed Salmon filet with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Salmon is low in calories and saturated fat but high in protein and omega 3. It has been shown that a diet that consists of salmon once a week is highly beneficial to your health and your taste buds!

Last but not least, though most kids would argue the point, I bring you, Brussels Sprouts. Right now I imagine many are ready to stop reading and throw their computer out the window, but give me a chance to defend the little guys. I hated them for years, but cooked right you would be surprised how delicious they are. Brussels Sprouts are very high in vitamin K and vitamin C, which is also good for your teeth as well as your immune system. They are also packed with vitamins A, B, & E, and potassium, fiber, iron, omega 3, and nearly every other mineral you can think of. You might give Brussels a chance!

Therefore in conclusion, five great healthy eats to frequent your plate might be tomatoes, blueberries, pinto beans, salmon, and brussuls sprouts. I highly encourage your exploration of the endless ways to prepare and enjoy these good eats!

I hope you've enjoyed this quick look at these healthy miracles. Bon Appetit!