I hear the phrase super food being passed around a lot these days. And, for many of us, this term implies that certain foods have a magical touch to them. However, what we need to realize is that there are no real magic foods. There are however many super healthy foods out there to choose from. The road to optimal health is not in one so called (super food). But there are foods that pack such a nutritional punch that they are worth taking note of.

My healthy foods list consists of foods that are super nutrient dense. That is, they have more nutrients (per calorie) than most other foods. They have also been proven to contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that will help prevent an array of chronic diseases. These so called “super foods” are perfect for heart healthy cooking and most fit perfectly into a lower carb lifestyle as well.

1. Berries

Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants which help protect the cells in our bodies from free radical damage and therefore from many chronic diseases including cancer. Among other things they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble fiber.

 

2. Broccoli

Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight cancer, especially breast, colon and lung. It boosts the immune system. Broccoli also contains antioxidants and a substance called sulforaphane, which research has shown to be a powerful cancer fighter.

3. Citrus Fruits

The citrus bioflavonoid in oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Many of these citrus bioflavonoid have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and blood clot inhibiting abilities.

4. Nuts

Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, a special type of fat that is essential for our bodies, but is not produced by the body. Omega-3 essential fatty acids protect us against heart disease as well as the ability to help lower bad cholesterol.

5. Salmon

The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish help prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the body’s rate of blood clotting. These fatty acids also smooth out the blood helping stabilize blood sugar levels thus protecting us against type 2 diabetes.

 

6. Spinach

Spinach’s secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly.

7. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and as such helps to protect the cells in our bodies from oxidative stress leading to free radical damage.

8. Turkey

Turkey is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium which has been shown to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and aid in the stimulation of our thyroid hormone.

My list of 8 Super Nutrient Dense Foods are also some of our favorites. Including these super healthy foods into your diet on a regular basis is a sure way to gain the many health promoting benefits they provide. Making healthy food choices just got easier.