Top 10 Healthiest Foods

I've been doing some research (i.e. googling) of the healthiest foods. The results are varied and of differing legitimacy. After narrowing down my search to the more reliable sources, I've put together my own list of the top 10 healthiest foods. For your convenience, I present you with a top ten list (do note, however, that there is no one "healthiest" food, but rather a group of foods that should be included in a well-balanced, varied diet):

1.) Broccoli


A good sources of vitamins A and C, broccoli has more potassium than bananas, (as do many other foods. Why is there this misconception that bananas hold some sort of potassium championship title? Kinda pisses me off.) and broccoli is chock full of fiber and calcium. These little edible trees have also been linked to helping prevent cancer and heart disease. Not bad.


2.) Berries



Holy Antioxidants, Batman! Aside from curbing sugar cravings, berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants and phytonutrients (good-for-you-plant-compounds). Berries also provide a good amount of fiber and vitamin C.


3.) Sweet Potatoes


That lovely orange color means one thing: this potato is packed with vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also good sources of fiber, vitamins B-6, C and E, folate and potassium. And assuming you don't load down your sweet potato with butter and brown sugar (or whatever else), they are fairly low in calories; one small sweet potato is only 54 calories.

4.) Spinach


Spinach, or any other dark leafy green, is high in vitamin C and iron. Many people forget about iron and how important it is to our health. Iron plays a pivotal role in blood, transporting oxygen to cells, and also serves as a building block for muscle protein. Aside from iron, spinach, like broccoli, is also a good source of vitamin A and calcium.

5.) Nuts


Though some people are deterred by the high fat content of nuts, do not be mistaken-- nuts are good for you. Much like another member on this list (sweet potatoes), nuts are often smothered in bad-for-you substances, but raw, unsalted nuts are hands-down one of the healthiest foods. Nuts contain "good fats," and can actually help lower cholesterol levels. Nuts are high in riboflavin, magnesium, iron, calcium, and are pretty decent source of protein as well. As if all of this wasn't enough, nuts also contain vitamin E, an immunity enhancer that is not found naturally in many foods. Don't be afraid to put some nuts in your mouth.


6.) Salmon


Naturally contains omega-3 fatty acid, something crucial for heart health. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish like salmon twice weekly. Salmon is low in saturated fat (bad-for-you-fat) and an excellence source of protein. As far as meats go, salmon is arguably the healthiest.


7.) Beans


Ah yes, the musical fruit. Not only do these legumes inspire hilarious rhymed sayings, but they give your body the fiber it needs. Those of you who follow my blog know that I'm a huge proponent of fiber. Beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and allows things to "keep moving" downstairs. Beans also provide your body with protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamin. And besides, farts are universally funny anyway.


8.) Oats

Like beans, oatmeal is a good source of fiber and will help you poop and also lower cholesterol. Oatmeal is low in fat and even has some iron and protein. A bowl of oatmeal with milk, dried fruit, nuts is, in this blogger's opinion, one of the most nutritious ways to start the day. Pretty tasty, too.

9.) Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits rule the Vitamin C Kingdom. Aside from the great C, which builds collagen, aids the immune system, protects the body from free radicals, and helps keep your gums healthy, citrus fruits (oranges in particular) also contain potassium and folic acid. These fruits are also a pretty decent source of fiber, assuming you eat a little bit of the white pith and the membranes that separate the sections of the fruit. Some studies show that many citrus flavonoids and phytochemicals help protect our bodies from disease. However, be cautioned, the cute and delicious clementine contains some sort of extremely addictive substance-- you can't eat just one!

10.) Plain Yogurt

Perhaps not as tempting as its sugar-laden counterparts, plain yogurt offers several health benefits as well as a culinary "blank canvass" of sorts. Plain yogurt is especially high in calcium, and also offers some protein and potassium. Yogurt serves as a vehicle for probiotics, which helps a great deal in digestion and other general "plumbing" issues. Yogurt can be used in both sweet and savory dishes and, like oatmeal, makes an excellent breakfast when jazzed up with some dried fruit and nuts.


So there you have it: the top 10 healthiest foods. There are, of course, lots of other healthy foods. Some of my runner-ups were: cabbage, eggs, apples, brown rice, tomatoes, and soy. I'm sure many of you have strong averse feelings towards some of these foods, I know broccoli is not always a crowd pleaser, but try your best to incorporate as many of these healthy foods as possible into your diet. Remember, what you put in your body is just as important, if not more important, than what you do with your body.

And now I conclude with a touch of irony: I ate two chocolate chip cookies while writing this post. Whoops. Happy Holidays!