While the list of the healthiest foods may vary both in terms of their order of importance in nutrient density or healing potential, some foods are consistently regarded superfoods. These nutrition dense foods can add flavour, fiber and flexibility to your meals. Incorporate these in your diet for potent health benefits, anti-aging effects and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Turmeric
- a potent spice, containing curcumin, a substance with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- add it to eggs, tea, salads, pasta, curries, smoothies, stews, soups, dressings, dips, etc.
Ginger
- aromatic and pungent spice, with powerful medicinal properties used for nausea, muscle pain and soreness, inflammation, heart disease, blood sugar, digestion, skin issues, immunity, brain function and cancer.
- can be added to vegetable juices, soups, curries or sprinkle the powdered version to muffins, tea or simply mixed with honey.
Garlic
- incredibly popular and delicious herb used to treat a variety of medical conditions, from the common cold to blood pressure, heart disease and organ damage.
- garlic paste or in chopped, crushed or powdered form has great versatility to be added to food. Try chopped garlic with olive oil and herbs for a delicious bread dip.
Avocado
- this king of fruits is highly nutritious and rich in healthy fats, fibre, potassium, magnesium, promoting weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease.
- Avocados are a popular ingredient in guacamole, smoothies, salad dressing and sandwich spreads.
Leafy Green Vegetables
- Kale, spinach, swiss chard, lettuce, collards, mustard greens, watercress and other nutrient dense greens are packed with cancer fighting antioxidants, like vitamin C, beta-carotene. Folate improves short-term memory and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Greens are versatile in salads, soups and smoothies or simply sauté
Blueberries
- Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant capacity on the fruit list. They promote fat burning and lower abdominal fat and cholesterol. They also help prevent colon cancer, improve brain health, restore hormone balance, diminish acne and promote weight loss.
- Blueberries are a popular ingredient in shakes and smoothies, and a healthy addition to cereals, pancakes and fruit salads.
Flax Seeds
- Flax seeds offer tremendous health benefits, particularly omega 3-fatty acids. They can provide protection against radiation toxicity, inflammation, cancer and dilate your arteries.
- It is recommended that you grind them yourself to be sprinkled in cereals, yogurt, pasta, As a mucilaginous product, it can be soaked overnight and the liquid can be drank in the morning for constipation and other health benefits.
Oats
- Oats contain a powerful soluble finer which can lower cholesterol levels which can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. They also stabilize sugar and have anti-cancer potential.
- You can add fruits and nuts to a bowl of oatmeal cereal or porridge, add oats to bread and muffins, and they can also be used as stuffing.
Broccoli
- Broccoli has a high concentration of fiber, calcium, potassium, folate, vitamin C and beta-carotene, providing anti-cancer, anti-diabetes and anti-inflammation protection.
- Raw or cooked, broccoli should be eaten crunchy.
Apple
- The phytonutrients, fiber (pectin) and antioxidant protection in apples given them a long list of health benefits, including heart, skin, teeth, eyes, colon and liver protection. Red apples have quercetin which can strengthen the immune system.
- The variety of apples provides plenty of reasons to include them in your diet as stand alone snacks or added crunchiness to your salads.