" 14 Foods That Can Change Your Life......"

14 Foods That Can Change Your Life :

We try to eat healthier in order to improve our health... and because we want to look like a million bucks! But lost in all this diet chatter is that certain foods have a huge impact on your daily well-being.

In fact, their benefits can be so powerful that they help you even if you're doing other things you shouldn't (such as smoking). To help you live longer and healthier, Steven Pratt, M.D., and Kathy Matthews, authors of SuperFoods Rx, have put together the following list of 14 superfoods that can change your life.

1. Blueberries: These little gems have been neglected for many years in favor of other more "popular" fruit.

But now that we know more about antioxidants and how they reverse degenerative diseases, this flavonoid-rich food will have you aging gracefully.

2. Tomatoes: If you don't have a major aversion to them, tomatoes are yet another superfood. Even though tomato season is short, you can get some of the same benefits from ketchup and tomato sauce.

Aside from all the vitamins, tomatoes are disease fighters. They help fight cancer and heart ailments.

3. Salmon: Fish of all kinds are fantastic, and you should try to get some on your plate two to four times a week. Although fish has fat, we now know that not all fats are created equal -- fish has a healthy kind of fat.

For example, salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can protect against a multitude of diseases including heart disease.

4. Beans: Beans, beans, they're good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you'll... LIVE! It's not just talk. Beans are good for the heart... and a bunch of other things, too.

There's evidence that they prevent cancer, level your blood sugar and give you a sense of being full, which keeps you from overeating.

5. Soy: Soy is the total package, rich with vitamins, minerals, plant-based omega-3s and disease-fighting phytonutrients. Is tofu just not for you?

Well, there are many other ways to incorporate soy into your diet.

-- Soy milk is a great alternative to dairy.
-- Try a soy protein shake.
-- Eat soy nuts as snacks
-- Some cereals have soy-enriched ingredients.


6. Spinach: We learned as children that this leafy green wonder gave Popeye his "mus-cools." But spinach carries much more than iron.

Just a few of the many added benefits include beta carotene, vitamins B, C and E, calcium and magnesium.

7. Tea: It's relaxing, has no calories and comes with health benefits. Tea is an anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory superfood that has been linked to heart health, cancer and stroke prevention, and lowered blood pressure.


8. Yogurt: This is a great snack for work. It has calcium and other nutrients. But what makes yogurt a superfood is the presence of prebiotics and probiotics -- living organisms that promote gastrointestinal health.

Oh, and yogurt tastes good, too!


9. Walnuts: Although nuts can be high in calories, don't let that discourage you from one of the most nutritious snacks around. Walnuts are one of the few rich sources of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids.

Besides the fiber and protein, the plant sterols contained in walnuts help with cholesterol levels.


10. Broccoli: Mom told you to eat your broccoli. This time, her advice was right.
Several studies have linked calcium intake with weight loss. Broccoli is not only high in calcium, but it's also packed with vitamin C that helps you better absorb calcium.

Plus, this vegetable has vitamin A, folate and fiber to meet your nutrient needs. And did we mention the powerful phytochemicals that protect against disease?


11. Oranges: They may not be very exciting or exotic, but this old standby sure lives up to its reputation as a healthy favorite.
Yet, even with its supposed popularity, Americans still are lacking in vitamin C. Because it is rapidly excreted from your body, constant replenishment is a must.

There's nothing wrong with a glass of OJ. But eating the orange is even better because its pulp has 10 times the vitamin C dosage found in the juice.


12. Turkey Breast: Stick to the skinless breast and you have a winner of a meal. It's one of the best low-fat protein sources you can eat.


13. Pumpkin: It's not just for the holidays anymore. High in fiber and low in calories, pumpkin has some of the highest levels of carotenoids, which function as antioxidants and help beat the effects of aging.

That's not all, though. This seasonal favorite is loaded with vitamins C and E, as well as iron, potassium and other minerals.


14. Oats: Since 1997, the FDA has allowed the labeling of oatmeal, oat bran and oat flour products as being connected to a reduced risk for coronary heart disease.

Among its other benefits is the ability to help control your blood sugar levels with fiber. Not only is the fiber in oats good for your heart, but it will keep you feeling fuller longer -- an easy way to avoid overeating!