Healing Foods
So you say you want to get healthy. Good for you!! What you eat is important to your overall health. (Did you just call me Captain Obvious?) Perhaps you simply don't know which foods to choose. This list is simple and comprehensive.
On your path to being healthy, remember that the trip always starts with just one step. Pick one food to incorporate into your day. You can build from there.
apples Protects your heart, prevents constipation, blocks diarrhea, improves lung capacity, cushions joints (Wow!! No wonder we should have an apple a day.)
apricots Combats cancer, controls blood pressure, saves your eyesight, shields against Alzheimer's, slows aging process
artichokes Aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, protects your heart, stabilizes blood sugar, guards against liver disease (I like artichokes with a horseradish sauce.)
avocadoes Battles diabetes, lowers cholesterol, helps stops strokes, controls blood pressure, smooths skin
bananas Protects your heart, quiets a cough, strengthens bones, controls blood pressure, blocks diarrhea
beans Prevents constipation, helps hemorroids, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, stabilizes blood sugar
beets Controls blood pressure, combats cancer, strengthens bones, protects your heart, aids weight loss
blueberries Combats cancer, protects your heart, stabilizes blood sugar, boosts memory, prevents constipation
broccoli Strengthens bones, saves eyesight, combats cancer, protects your heart, controls blood pressure
cabbage Combats cancer, prevents constipation, promotes weight loss, protects your heart, helps hemorroids
canteloupe Saves eyesight, controls blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, supports immune system
carrots Saves eyesight, protects your heart, prevents constipation, combats cancer, promotes weight loss
cauliflower Protects against prostate cancer, combats breast cancer, strengthens bones, banishes bruises, guards against heart disease
cherries Protects your heart, combats cancer, ends insomnia, slows aging process, shields against Alzheimer's
chestnuts Promotes weight loss, protects your heart, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, controls blood pressure
chili peppers Aids digestion, soothes sore throat, clears sinuses, combats cancer, boosts immune system (There's probably a delicate balance of enough & too much with this one.)
figs Promotes weight loss, helps stops strokes, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, controls blood pressure
fish Protects your heart, boosts memory, protects your heart, combats cancer, supports immune system (Try baked Parmesan Crusted Talpia. Yummy!)
flax Aids digestion, battles diabetes, protects your heart, improves mental health, boosts immune system
garlic Lowers cholesterol, controls blood pressure, combats cancer, kills bacteria, fights fungus
ginger Relieve migraine headaches, aid for arthritis, reduce blood clothing, prevent motion sickness
grapefruit Protects against heart attacks, promotes weight loss, helps stops strokes, combats prostate cancer, lowers cholesterol
grapes Saves eyesight, conquers kidney stones, combats cancer, enhances blood flow, protects your heart
green tea Combats cancer, protects your heart, helps stops strokes, promotes, weight loss, kills bacteria
guava Blocks growth of cancer cells, prevent heart disease
honey Heals wounds, aids digestion, guards against ulcers, increases enegry, fights allergies
lemons Combats cancer, protects your heart, controls blood pressure, smooths skin
limes Combats cancer, protects your heart, controls blood pressure, smooths skin
mangoes Combats cancer, boosts memory, regulates thyroid, aids digestion, shields against Alzheimer's
mushrooms Controls blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, kills bacteria, combats cancer, strengthens bones, inhibits tumor growth
oats Lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, battles diabetes, prevents constipation smooths skin
olive oil Protects your heart, promotes weight loss, combats cancer, battles diabetes smooths skin
onions Reduce risk of heart attack, combats cancer, kills bacteria, lowers cholesterol fights fungus
oranges Supports immune systems, combats cancer, protects your heart, strengthens respiration
papaya Aids in digestion, prevents heart disease and cancer
peaches Prevents constipation, combats cancer, helps stop strokes, aids digestion, helps hemorroids
pears Lower cholesterol, improve memory, keep bones strong
pineapple Strengthens bones, relieves colds, aids digestion, dissolves warts, blocks diarrhea
prunes Slows aging process, prevents constipation, boosts memory, lowers cholesterol, protects against heart disease
rice Protects your heart, battles diabetes, conquers kidney stones, combats cancer,
helps stops strokes
strawberries Combats cancer, protects your heart, boosts memory, calms stress
sweet potatoes Saves your eyesight, lifts mood, combats cancer, strengthens bones
tomatoes Protects prostate, combats cancer, lowers cholesterol, protects your heart
(Tomatoes have relatively low levels of the antioxidant lycopene until they're cooked. This is the only fruit/vegetable that I know of that is healthier for you cooked.)
walnuts Lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, boosts memory, lifts mood, protects against heart disease (In general, nuts are better for you raw.)
water Promotes weight loss, combats cancer, conquers kidney stones, smooths skin
watermelon Protects prostate, promotes weight loss, lowers cholesterol, helps stops strokes, controls blood pressure
wheat germ Combats colon cancer, prevents constipation, lowers cholesterol, helps stop strokes, improves digestion
wheat bran Combats colon cancer, prevents constipation, lowers cholesterol, helps stop strokes, improves digestion
yogurt Guards against ulcers, strengthens bones, lowers cholesterol, supports immune system, aids digestion
And now some great info from Dr. Oz...
Beyond Fruits and Veggies
Q. Okay, so nothing beats a fresh salad with olive oil dressing for a nutritional punch. But do I have to get all my antioxidants from fruits and veggies?
A. Nope. Dark chocolate, red wine, and nuts also offer antioxidant-like substances. They just aren't as low-cal or as good for you as produce. So consider them nice little once-in-a-while treats.
Tea and spices are other sources of antioxidants that you can load up on to your heart's content.
Quick tip: If you're looking to get the antioxidant health benefits from dark chocolate (yes, it contains heart-healthy flavanols), don't mix it with milk. Recent studies suggest that milk may interfere with the body's ability to absorb flavanols.
Any way you slice it, if you eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you're dealing yourself a pretty good hand in the vitamins and minerals game. But by employing a few of these nutrition-boosting tricks of the trade, you can turn your nutritional full house into a royal flush.