OK… just kidding. I wanted to see if you were paying attention. The foods shown here are delicious, but probably not the best for a healthy heart. Our motto is “Everything in Moderation!”
It’s a New Year, so what better time to start eating healthier. Check out the “11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating.” For those of you who ARE eating them all now, good for you!
Bon Appetit!
11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating
- Beets
Think of beets as red spinach because they are a rich source of folate, as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer-fighters.
How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power. - Cabbage
Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches. - Swiss Chard
A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
How to eat: Chop and saute in olive oil. - Cinnamon
May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
How to eat: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal - Pomegranate Juice
Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.
How to eat: Just drink it. - Dried Plums
OK, so they are really prunes, but there are packed with antioxidants.
How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked - Pumpkin Seeds
The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.
How to eat: Roasted as a snack or sprinkled on a salad. - Sardines
Dr. Howden calls them “health food in a can.” They are high in omega 3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese – as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
How to eat: Choose sardines in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with Dijon mustard and onions as a spread. - Turmeric
The “superstar of spices,” it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish. - Frozen Blueberries
Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
How to eat: Plain or blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds. Also good in oatmeal. - Canned Pumpkin
A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fibre and immune-stimulating Vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.
How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Source: New York Tikes on Nutritionist Jonny Bowden, author of “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.”