Eating a diet that consists of foods that are fresh and unprocessed is vital to your overall health. While there are numerous foods to choose from that both taste good and are healthy, some choices carry a larger nutritional value than others. While it is hard to speculate as to which foods are officially the best, it is hard to go wrong when making your choices from a selection of healthy choices.
Figs
Figs provide an excellent source of fiber, potassium and vitamin B-6, which produces serotonin, prevents water retention and aids in lowering your cholesterol, according to "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth." Figs are especially healthy for women who take birth control pills, as these pills cause the depletion of vitamin B-6. A single fig contains approximately 40 calories, 2 g of fiber and absolutely no fat. If you enjoy cookies, a fig cookie is also healthy having a calorie count of 56 with 1 g of fiber and 1 g of fat.
Peanuts
Peanuts consist primarily of good, unsaturated fat, which can lower your risk of developing heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. A one ounce serving of peanuts contains 166 calories, 2 g of fiber and 14 g of fat. Peanuts can be eaten plain as a snack or can be chopped up into a salad or various recipes such as peanut chicken or an oriental stir fry. When eaten as a snack, not only can peanuts provide you the energy needed to keep going when you start to drag, they are also filling and will keep you feeling fill until it is time for dinner.
Beets
Beets are a sweet and juicy vegetable that contain several health benefits. Beets contain folate and betaines, both of which help to control homocysteine levels in your blood, reducing your potential of heart disease, according to "Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet." Beets are also rich in Vitamins B-1, B-2, C, bioflavonoids and iodine. Beets can be eaten raw or can be used to make broths and sauces. It is important to note that beets lose some of their antioxidants when heated, so it is best to eat them raw. A 1/2 cup serving of sliced beets contain 37 calories.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which aid your body in fighting off cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and asthma. Flaxseed is also packed with most of the B-complex vitamins, manganese, magnesium and lignans, which protect you from type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. It is also high in fiber. MayoClinic.com states that when using flaxseed, it is essential to grind it yourself or purchase the ground variety. If flaxseed is not ground before you consume it, the nutrients have difficulty absorbing into your body.
References
- "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth"; Jonny Bowden; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Nuts and Your Heart: Eating Nuts for Heart Health
- "Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet"; Tonia Reinhard; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Does Ground Flaxseed Have More Health Benefits that Whole Flaxseed?



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