The Healthiest Foods On Earth

You don't have to take a trip around the world to find the healthiest foods on earth. Chances are good that they're available right at your favorite neighborhood grocery store. Skip empty-calorie foods high in saturated fats and sugar. Instead, fill up your cart with these nutrient-dense and delicious foods, and reap the benefits of super nutrition and better health.

Nuts

Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachio and macadamia nuts are chock-full of beneficial nutrients. They're filled with heart-healthy vitamin E, fiber, unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids and plant sterols, which decrease harmful LDL cholesterol and prevent blood clots that could lead to a heart attack, according to MayoClinic.com. Ditch the chips, cookies and candy, and eat nuts -- one of the healthiest foods on earth -- instead.

Fatty Fish

Eat salmon, sardines, anchovies and herring -- or take a fish oil supplement -- to gain the stellar health benefits of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fats reduce the risk of deadly abnormal heart rhythms, decrease inflammation, lower blood pressure, decrease harmful fats in the blood, and are a vital component of brain cell membranes. The benefits of eating two servings of fish per week outweigh the risk from possible toxins, according to Helpguide.org.

Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

Eat colorful fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants to reduce your risks of cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Choose those highest in antioxidants -- asparagus, avocados, any type of berry, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, grapes, raw figs, kiwi fruit, dark leafy green lettuce and spinach, cantaloupe and honeydew melons, red and green bell peppers, plums, prunes, raisins, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and watermelon. Don't pass up frozen fruits and veggies -- which are picked and frozen at the peak of ripeness -- if the fresh choices look like they've seen better days.

Whole Grains

One of the healthiest foods on earth is whole grain. Processed grains -- such as white bread, breakfast cereals, donuts and white rice -- are stripped of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and cause spikes and dips in your blood sugar that can lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Instead, choose oatmeal, barley, brown rice, bulgar, and make your bread, crackers and pasta choices from among whole grain offerings.