Are you filling your grocery cart (and your stomach) with healthy, disease-fighting superfoods? Here are eight you should add to your list.
Fruits and veggies:
- Black beans — packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants! Black beans can help protect your memory, encourage muscle growth, and protect your heart. Also try: other legumes like pinto beans and lentils for the same health benefits.
- Blueberries — have you heard enough about blueberries yet? Chock full of antioxidants that help boost immunity, protect your heart, reduce your cancer risk, and stimulate your memory. In addition to antioxidants, you’ll also find healthy fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Also try: purple grapes, raisins, and acai berries.
- Carrots — red, yellow, and orange foods are full of carotenoids. These compounds can lower your risk of several forms of cancer and ease inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis. Also try: sweet potato, pumpkin, mango, and butternut squash.
- Spinach — just like Popeye always said, spinach builds muscles. It is also a great source of the B vitamin folate and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. All that can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Spinach also contains lutein, a compound that can help fight macular degeneration. Also try: kale, bok choy, cabbage, and romaine lettuce for many of the same health benefits.
- Tomatoes — red fruits and vegetables are full of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene can help reduce your risk of several forms of cancer AND coronary artery disease. Also try: watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, and guava for many of the same health benefits.
Other superfoods:
- Oats — chock full of soluble fiber that can lower your risk of heart disease. Also try: quinoa and flaxseed.
- Walnuts — a great source of heart protecting omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Plus you’ll find muscle building protein, too.
- Yogurt — chock full of bone building calcium and good bacteria that aid digestion. The probiotics in yogurt can also help boost your immune system.