More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
HuffPost Social Reading
EatingWell

GET UPDATES FROM EatingWell
 

7 of the Healthiest Foods You Should Be Eating But Aren't

Posted: 01/ 9/2012 8:35 am

By Matthew Thompson, Associate Food Editor for EatingWell Magazine

When it comes to choosing what to eat, I like to get a lot of nutritional bang for my buck, so to speak. The best deals? “Superfoods” that are far more plentiful in nutrients than they are in calories and that research has shown deliver health benefits. You’re probably already eating a lot of everyday superfoods -- like bananas, eggs and broccoli -- and maybe even some exotic ones. (Acai, anyone?)

But what about the power-packed foods filled with good-for-you vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytochemicals you aren’t eating? Rather than rattling off a laundry list of every fiber-rich, antioxidant-packed, vitamin-saturated food I can imagine, I’m going to focus on seven of the healthiest foods that I, and probably many of you, have mostly missed the boat on eating, especially on a regular basis.

Kale
1  of  9
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
On top of delivering a raft of cancer-fighting antioxidants, kale is one of the vegetable world's top sources of vitamin A, which promotes eye and skin health and may help strengthen the immune system. It's a good source of heart-healthy fiber and a one-cup serving has almost as much vitamin C as an orange. What's not to love?


More from EatingWell:
9 'Bad' Foods You Should Be Eating
Ditch These 4 Foods to Clean Up Your Diet
6 Of The Healthiest Fish To Eat And To Avoid


Flickr photo by Mallory Dash

What healthy foods do you want to eat more of?


By Matthew Thompson
Matt Thompson

Matthew Thompson is the associate food editor for EatingWell Magazine.

For more by EatingWell, click here.

For more on diet and nutrition, click here.

 

Follow EatingWell on Twitter: www.twitter.com/eatingwell

By Matthew Thompson, Associate Food Editor for EatingWell Magazine When it comes to choosing what to eat, I like to get a lot of nutritional bang for my buck, so to speak. The best deals? “Supe...
By Matthew Thompson, Associate Food Editor for EatingWell Magazine When it comes to choosing what to eat, I like to get a lot of nutritional bang for my buck, so to speak. The best deals? “Supe...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 108
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4  Next ›  Last »  (4 total)
04:09 AM on 03/07/2012
1. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, or even frozen fruits and veggies. Try to include fruits and (or) vegetables in every meal or even when snacking. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot fiber that is great for helping the body maintain a healthy level of cholesterol. There is great abundance of fruits and vegetables in many different colors and shapes to help make your selection better. Dark colored fruits and vegetables contain very powerful pigments that will help to protect your heart by increasing natural antioxidants.

http://www.raspberryketone.webs.com
03:41 PM on 03/01/2012
Thank you! this is an excellent list of healthy foods!

Good healthy foods like oats and lentils along with most fruits and veggies do help to unclog arteries which in turn lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.
http://www.healthy-blood-pressure-tps.com
10:58 PM on 02/24/2012
Thanks for sharing information. I believe most of us or not aware of these things.In order to keep our digestion proper and strong we need to take high fiber diet. Salt, Sugar and fried should be kept in check.Our daily diet should include fibrous fruits and salad like carrot, tomatoes, papaya.Sprouts in breakfast.One glass of milk and curd.Brown bread instead of white bread.
No or small qty of biscuits.No tea or coffee.Boiled potatoes
01:29 PM on 02/17/2012
I have osteoporosis and I am wondering what foods are good to help my bones?
I am already doing weight bearing workouts with a weighted vest by NYKNYC which my therapist recommended but I feel that if I can eat a better diet with foods that are good for your bones I will be able to Reverse my osteoporosis.
Some say drink milk some say don't drink milk so I am looking to find foods for healthy bones
seeking advice any ideas?
04:57 PM on 02/15/2012
Just watched a movie called "Forks over Knives" on netflix. An eye-opening analysis of the health impact of meat and dairy rich diets. I would watch that before adding Kefir, sardines, or other animal-based products to your diet.
12:06 PM on 02/15/2012
I've got to give lentils a try! I've been told to increase my fiber intake and this seems like a great addition to my diet. Thanks for the great suggestions! Pomegranates are delicious too, so anyone who hasn't tried them should, they are exotic and flavorful.
01:57 AM on 01/29/2012
i wonder if matthew thompson would also take a check from pizza hut to throw their slice of pie on a "top 7 healthy foods" list as well. sellout.
01:55 AM on 01/29/2012
i wonder how much matthew thompson got paid by kefir to thrown their product in a "top 7 healty foods list" - sellout. it's so obvious it's ridiculous
04:25 PM on 01/24/2012
Never heard of quinoa before! I'll have to try it. Eating healthy is important to maintain health, but also to keep your body well tuned. I discuss why eating healthy is important at http://agaponzie.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-are-what-you-eat.html
Try it!
08:23 PM on 01/19/2012
I'm pretty sure eating solidified baby cow food or mercury infused dead fish in a can is not very good for you, let alone "the healthiest".
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
FSMbaby
Life is good!
10:42 PM on 01/24/2012
Sardines have the lowest level of mercury since they are low on the food chain. They are probably the healthiest fish you can eat.
01:56 PM on 02/08/2012
Sardines are in fact the only source of O3 sure not to be mercury infused. The bigger fish that stay long in deep waters are the ones mercury infused. Just for the record. Cheers!
05:24 PM on 01/17/2012
"Kefir - think yogurt in a glass". More like think VOMIT!!!!! Seriously, yogurt is vile enough, liquid yogurt -- just the thought makes my stomach churn.
01:17 AM on 01/28/2012
Been drinking it since I was kid. It's actually really good. But we all have different tastes.
photo
CaroleK1970
I want my country forward
07:45 PM on 02/14/2012
Kefir is delicious, especially the plain unsweetened kind
11:59 AM on 01/15/2012
Looks like they're trying too hard to sell eating oatmeal...

" Also, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition, eating a
breakfast made with "slow-release" carbohydrates, such as oatmeal,
three hours before you exercise may help you burn more fat. Here's
why: In the study, eating "slow-release" carbohydrates didn't spike
blood sugar as high as eating refined carbohydrates, such as white
toast. In turn, insulin levels didn't spike as high, and because
insulin plays a role in signaling your body to store fat, having lower
levels may help you burn fat. "

So they are saying that oats are good compared to toast? Um, what about no carb's compared to toast? Or just eating less of them. A small amount of hash browns fried in lots of butter will prob spike your insulin less and keep you satiated longer... and give you more energy for your workout due to the extra fat calories. Not to mention all the good vitamins and minerals in butter. And please... don't regurgitate the old saturated-fat/cholesterol is bad argument. If you still think that, you're not paying attention.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
FSMbaby
Life is good!
10:48 PM on 01/24/2012
I agree. I keep hearing people blame Paula Deen's diabetes on the butter she uses in her cooking. The public is woefully misinformed about the benefits of eating real butter. It's more likely the tons of sugar, white flour & processed meat that's the culprit. As for the oatmeal, not many people eat it without putting maple syrup (not even real maple syrup mind you) and brown sugar on it so it would spike blood sugar anyway.
01:47 PM on 01/14/2012
Love kale! I'm so happy it's gaining popularity - more amazing recipes are coming out every day!

Take care!

~ Tiffany

Transfer of Health
Healthy Living and Recipes
04:13 PM on 01/12/2012
Blueberries!
12:58 PM on 01/12/2012
http://naturalsociety.com/vatican-condemns-monsanto-genetically-modified-crops-as-new-form-of-slavery/

In an interview with the magazine L’Osservatore Romano on January 5, a prominent member of the Vatican spoke out against genetically modified crops. Cardinal Peter Turkson said that genetically modified crops are a “new form of slavery,” and went on to discuss the impact that they have on both the environment and the economy. Regardless of religious association, anyone speaking out against genetically modified should be listened to. As a prominent leader of the Catholic people, Cardinal Turkson has the ability to inform millions worldwide regarding the negative effects of genetically modified food.

Even farmers have risen up against Monsanto and genetically modified seeds, with Monsanto forcing thousands of farmers into debt worldwide. In India, Monsanto has ruined the lives of so many farmers that the prevalence of their suicide has led to a large farming area to be titled the ‘suicide belt of India’. Some have even blamed Monsanto for the recent bird and fish deaths, claiming that the poison coming from their factories may have poisoned animals worldwide. Monsanto’s destruction isn’t limited to the environment, however.

Genetically modified foods been proven not only to be a threat to nature, but extremely harmful to humans. The process of bioengineering GM ingredients itself is quite ridiculous. Billions are spent each year to genetically modify the food supply, tainting it with genetically modified frankenfood.