Health Matters: Top Foods Edition

Top 10 High Fiber Foods
Dietary fiber fills you up (without weighing you down), keeps blood sugar levels in check, and helps prevent chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. But even though fiber is widely available in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole unprocessed grains, most Americans get very little of the stuff — a paltry 14 grams a day, compared with the recommended 25 to 35 grams.

APPLE
Apples and their skin pack twice as much fiber as other common fruits, like peaches, grapes, and grapefruit. "Plus, for someone who has high cholesterol, the soluble fiber in an apple helps regulate cholesterol," says Sari Greaves, R.D. a national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Just don't peel the skin. A whole medium apple has almost 3.5 grams of fiber, but if you peel the skin, the fiber content drops to 1.7 grams. Apple juice is even lower, with a negligible 0.2 gram. Another reason to keep the skin on: Research shows that apple skin contains significantly more disease-fighting polyphenols than does the flesh.

ARTICHOKE
A medium artichoke contains 10 grams of fiber but just 120 calories. "Artichokes are a good source of silymarin, which is one of the most liver-friendly nutrients in the world," says Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth (Fair Winds Press). "They also have more potassium than a banana." Try steaming them with a little olive oil, garlic, and rosemary; eat with a little bit of butter, or add hearts to salads and pizzas.

AVOCADO
The avocado was vilified during the fat-phobic 1980s. And while this delectable fruit is high in fat, it's time to banish the bad rap. "Most of the fat in avocados is monounsaturated fat, the same heart-healthy kind found in olive oil and macadamia nut oil," says Bowden. Even more important, the fat from an avocado isn't likely to stick to your hips, because the fruit is packed with fiber (between 11 and 17 grams per avocado). Eat avocados whole right out of the skin. With a couple of hundred calories, tons of heart-healthy fat, and half a day's fiber, you'll be full for at least a few hours.

BARLEY
"Unlike many grains, which contain fiber only in the outer bran layer, barley contains fiber throughout the entire kernel," says Greaves. "So even highly processed barley products that are missing the bran have significant amounts of fiber." A half-cup serving of cooked barley contains about 4 grams of total dietary fiber and 95 calories. Compare that with the 1.75 grams of dietary fiber in long-grain brown rice (white rice has even less fiber — under 1 gram). Plus, barley's soluble fiber binds to fatty substances and ferries them out of the body, regulates cholesterol, and helps keep blood sugar levels in check, staving off future snack attacks.

BEANS (NAVY, KIDNEY, GARBANZO)
Beans are one of the best sources of fiber on the planet. Just half a cup of navy beans has almost 10 grams of fiber. Baked beans, lentils, black beans, pinto beans, and garbanzos aren't far behind, all boasting between 7.5 and 9 grams of fiber for half a cup. "Beans are low in calories and high in fiber, and they're a great plant source of protein," says Greaves. "Whether you're throwing beans into a salad, adding them to soup, or making a base for salsa, they're a great addition to a meal." But they can also double as the main event — think lentil soup, bean burritos, and rice and beans.

BROCCOLI
You'd be hard pressed to find a nutritionist who wouldn't put broccoli at the top of his or her "healthiest foods" list. Beyond the 2-plus grams of fiber in a single cup, broccoli also contains 2 grams of protein, 288 mg of potassium, and 43 mg of calcium, to say nothing of the vegetable's powerful disease-fighting chemicals. "Broccoli contains plant compounds called indoles, which act as traffic cops for estrogen, shuttling estrogen down more benign metabolic pathways," says Bowden. The result: a reduced risk of hormone-related cancers like breast cancer and cervical cancer.

OATMEAL AND HIGH FIBER CEREALS
Start the day with oatmeal or a whole-grain cereal that contains at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. "Just make sure the first ingredient on the label is 'whole,' which means all three layers of the grain are intact," says Greaves. A lot of products look like whole grains (some brands of instant oatmeal, for example, and some bran cereals), but the first ingredient listed on their labels is enriched rather than whole flour. If the grain is whole, the product has more fiber. Want to boost the fiber content of your breakfast even higher? Top it with wheat germ, raisins, bananas, or berries, all of which are good sources of fiber.

PAPAYA
A cup of cubed papaya has only 55 calories and 2.5 grams of fiber, and it's chock-full of important nutrients, including potassium, calcium, and vitamins C and A. What's more, since papaya is loaded with digestive enzymes, it helps break down protein. Fish tacos with papaya salsa, anyone?

BERRIES (ESPECIALLY RASPBERRIES)
All berries are disease-fighting superstars — and most are low in calories and high in fiber. Raspberries, for example, have a measly 64 calories per cup but 8 grams of fiber. Berries also contain polyphenols and anthocyanins, powerful plant chemicals that help fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and ease the symptoms of arthritis.

PUMPKIN
Don't restrict this nutritional powerhouse to fall holiday fare. With only 49 calories per cup and 2.5 grams of fiber, it's a great vegetable to enjoy all year long. What's more, pumpkins are loaded with potassium (565 mg per cup), a mineral that has been shown to build strong bones and dramatically reduce the risk of stroke. Need another reason to scoop out the orange stuff? Per cup, pumpkin has more than 2,400 mcg of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which help keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.

 
10 Scrumptious Food That Fight Cancer 
GARLIC
Several large studies have found that those who eat more garlic are less likely to develop various kinds of cancer, especially in digestive organs such as the esophagus, stomach, and colon. Ingredients in the pungent bulbs may keep cancer-causing substances in your body from working, or they may keep cancer cells from multiplying. Experts don’t know how much you need to eat to prevent cancer, but a clove a day may be helpful.

BERRIES
As a tasty treat, berries are hard to beat. But their juicy goodness also may make them one of the foods to fight cancer. Berries contain particularly powerful antioxidants, meaning they can halt a naturally occurring process in the body that creates free radicals that can damage your cells. Compounds in berries may also help keep cancers from growing or spreading. So, as part of your anti-cancer diet, pick up a handful of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or any other favorite berries today.

TOMATOES
Some research has found that eating tomatoes may help protect men from prostate cancer. The juicy red orbs can help guard the DNA in your cells from damage that can lead to cancer. Tomatoes contain a particularly high concentration of an effective antioxidant called lycopene. Your body may absorb lycopene better from processed tomato foods such as sauce, which means that whole-wheat pasta with marinara sauce could be a delicious way to help lower your risk of this disease.

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES
Cruciferous vegetables — the group containing broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower — may be particularly helpful in protecting you from cancer. Researchers have found that components in these veggies can protect you from the free radicals that can damage your cells' DNA. They may also shield you from cancer-causing chemicals, help slow the growth of tumors, and encourage cancer cells to die. They’re a tasty and healthy addition to your anti-cancer diet.

GREEN TEA
Tea contains antioxidants called catechins, which may help prevent cancer in a variety of ways, including keeping free radicals from damaging cells. Lab studies have found that catechins in tea can shrink tumors and reduce tumor cell growth. Some — but not all — studies in humans have also linked drinking tea to a lower risk of cancer. Both green and black teas contain catechins, but you’ll get more antioxidants from green tea, so you may want to consider a cup or more in your anti-cancer diet.

WHOLE GRAINS
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, whole grains contain many components that might lower your risk of cancer, including fiber and antioxidants. A large study including nearly half a million people found that eating more whole grains might lower the risk of colorectal cancer, making them a top item in the category of foods to fight cancer. Oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread and pasta are all examples of whole grains.

TURMERIC
This orange-colored spice, a staple in Indian curries, contains an ingredient called curcumin (not the same as cumin) that might be useful in reducing cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, curcumin can inhibit some kinds of cancer cells in laboratory studies and slow the spread of cancer or shrink tumors in some animals. Turmeric is easy to find in grocery stores, and you can use it in a variety of recipes.

LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and lettuce are good sources of the antioxidants beta-carotene and lutein. You’ll also find these nutrients in vegetables that are more traditionally eaten cooked, like collard greens, mustard greens, and kale. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, some lab studies have found that chemicals in these foods may limit the growth of some kinds of cancer cells.

GRAPES
The skin of red grapes is a particularly rich source of an antioxidant called resveratrol. Grape juice and red wine also contain this antioxidant. According to the National Cancer Institute, resveratrol may be useful in keeping cancer from beginning or spreading. Lab studies have found that it limits the growth of many kinds of cancer cells; in men, moderate amounts of red wine have been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

BEANS
Certain fruits and vegetables and other plant foods get plenty of recognition for being good sources of antioxidants, but beans often are unfairly left out of the picture. Some beans, particularly pinto and red kidney beans, are outstanding sources of antioxidants and should be included in your anti-cancer diet. Beans also contain fiber, and eating a high-fiber diet may also help reduce your risk of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.


Sneaky High-Sodium Foods
If you’ve been in a grocery store lately, you’ve probably noticed more and more low-sodium foods on shelves, from cheese to crackers. There’s good reason for the change: Consuming salty foods can increase your risk for serious health conditions, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The obvious fix is to cut some of the salt from your diet, but sodium is sneaky — it can lurk in many seemingly healthy foods. Here are some of the worst offenders.

BEWARE OF CERTAIN BREADS
You probably don’t think of bread as salty food, but some types can contain fairly high amounts of sodium. A six-and-a-half-inch pita, for example, contains more than 300 milligrams of salt. That doesn’t sound like much, but it can add up when you consider that most adults are advised to keep their salt intake below 2,000 mg of sodium per day, says Kelly O’Connor, RD, a nutritionist and certified diabetes educator at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. The next time you’re craving a sandwich, reach for low-sodium rye bread — the reduced-calorie version contains only 93 mg per slice, significantly less than the 170 mg in the average slice of white bread. Another good choice is whole-grain bread, which has about 127 mg per slice.

FORGET FROZEN MEALS
Packaged low-calorie frozen meals may seem like the easy way to control portions and watch your weight, but most of them contain way too much salt. “Although many brands now offer low-sodium alternatives, the meals still contain significant amounts,” O’Connor says. “Some of them contain more than 500 mg per meal, which is one-third of your recommended daily intake if you are following a low-sodium diet.” A leftover meal made from last night’s healthier homemade dinner can serve as a low-sodium, quick-lunch alternative to lower your salt intake, O’Connor adds.

DITCH THE SALAD DRESSING
You may feel virtuous opting for a salad over a hamburger, but pay attention to the condiments that you add to your greens. One tablespoon of commercially prepared French dressing, for example, has 214 mg of sodium. “This is not a red-flag amount of sodium per serving, but think of how many people pour the salad dressing on their salads directly from the bottle, serving themselves several tablespoons and maybe 800 to 1,000 mg of sodium,” O’Connor says. The next time you reach for a salad, try using oil and vinegar, which won’t add to your salt intake.

CURB CEREALS
You probably don’t think of breakfast cereal as a salty food, but many of the “healthier” cereals on the market, like corn flakes and toasted-oat cereals, have almost 300 mg of sodium per cup. Again, the problem isn’t the sodium per serving, but the small amount that counts as a serving size. “A typical cereal bowl can hold one and a half to two cups of cereal, if not more,” O’Connor says. To control your salt intake at breakfast time, watch your portion size, and try shredded-wheat-type cereals, which are low-sodium foods. A one-cup serving of frosted miniature-wheat cereal, for example, has only 3 mg of salt.

BE CAUTIOUS OF CANNED BEANS
Some people opt for beans as a way to get protein while controlling their fat and cholesterol intakes, but the canned versions often have too much salt. One cup of plain baked beans has a whopping 1,008 mg of sodium, which is half of an adult’s recommended daily salt intake. “A roasted chicken breast [without the skin] would be an all-around better choice, with less than 100 mg of sodium and minimal fat and cholesterol content,” O’Connor says. If you’re a vegetarian, try cooking dried beans — one cup of boiled navy beans has only 2 mg of sodium.

JUNK THE JARRED SPAGHETTI SAUCE
Be prudent the next time you serve pasta: On average, one cup of ready-to-serve marinara or spaghetti sauce weighs in at over 1,000 mg of sodium. If you still want the convenience of jarred sauce, look for lower-sodium versions, some of which contain just 100 mg of salt per serving. Better yet, curb your salt intake by making your own sauce with fresh tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers; these vegetables have very low amounts of sodium, and the finished sauce can easily be frozen for convenience.

DROP THE DIET COLA
While diet colas don’t have the sugar and calories of regular cola, they actually have more sodium — 28 mg for a 12-ounce can compared to 15 mg for regular. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but again, O’Connor says, the key is frequency of consumption — several cans of diet cola over the course of a day can add up to too much salt. The next time you’re feeling thirsty, skip the soda in favor of decaf herbal tea or fruit juice, both of which are very low in sodium. “But of course, the best choice would be water,” O’Connor says. The average cup of municipal tap water comes in at about 5 mg of sodium.

CAN THE CANNED SOUP
Those cans of minestrone and tomato soup may make for a comforting meal, but they’re veritable salt-fests. One cup of canned chicken noodle soup contains 1,106 milligrams of sodium. If you don’t have time to make soup from scratch, limit your salt intake by choosing canned soups labeled “healthy” or “low-sodium.” While not free of salt, they usually contain much less than regular versions. (Check the nutrition labels to be sure.) Or try the ready-made soup selections in your grocery store’s deli department, which tend to be lower in sodium than shelf-stable products.


10 Foods That Make You Beautiful
You eat a healthy diet, regularly choosing natural foods, so why not follow suit with your beauty routine? Many foods that are healthy to eat also offer powerful benefits for your skin and hair — and they've found their way into a wide variety of beauty products. “A lot of chemicals can cause irritation, while natural ingredients tend to be absorbed well and contain actual antioxidants and enzymes in their purest, most potent form,” says Deborah Longwill, MD, a dermatologist at the Miami Center for Dermatology. Check out these natural ingredients that can aid your beauty regimen.

OLIVE OIL
Olive oil has been revered for centuries as a natural moisturizer, and with good reason. “Olive oil is ultrahydrating,” says Dr. Longwill. It creates a barrier that protects dry skin and is particularly helpful for people who have psoriasis or eczema. Use it straight from the bottle — yes, the same olive oil you use to make healthy salad dressings — to slather on after a shower. Or try it as a homemade hair treatment for split ends. “Hair follicles absorb olive oil nicely,” says Longwill. You can find olive oil in numerous skin and hair care products, including soaps, facial washes, moisturizers, shampoos, and conditioners.

OATMEAL
The buzz about this popular breakfast food usually focuses on its cholesterol-lowering effects, though if you stop there, you’re selling this “superfood” short. Oatmeal can also soothe rashes and irritations caused by poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and oak, as well as pain and itching caused by chicken pox and sunburn. Simply sprinkle some dry oatmeal into a lukewarm bath and soak for 10 minutes. Because of its grainy texture, oatmeal is also ideal for gentle skin exfoliation: Mix with warm water, apply to your face with circular motions, let dry for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off.

TURMERIC
This fragrant herb, most commonly used in Indian curries, is also prized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has long been used to treat eczema and is known to speed wound healing. Recent research suggests that turmeric may also help firm aging skin, and it's the star ingredient in some natural skin creams. A rich golden yellow, turmeric is also used as a fabric dye, but don’t worry — the hue won’t transfer to your skin.

HONEY
Known as nature’s sweetener, honey is also Mother Nature’s antiseptic — it has been proven to help speed the healing of wounds and superficial burns. Because it kills bacteria, Longwill recommends products that contain honey to her patients with acne. In addition, honey is an effective skin moisturizer. Look for honey in lip balms, soaps, and moisturizers, among other skin care products.

PUMPKIN
“As we progress into our forties, fifties, and beyond, our skin cells turn over less frequently, causing a duller appearance,” says Longwill. That’s where pumpkin can help. It contains an enzyme that gently peels away dead skin, speeding the production of new cells. In addition, pumpkin is rich in essential fatty acids, which hydrate the skin, and the antioxidant vitamins A and C, which fight free radicals that can age skin. Look for pumpkin products in facial and body peels and in treatments for the hair and scalp.

SALMON
While you would never apply salmon directly to your face or body, cold-water fish like salmon contain DMAE, short for dimethylaminoethanol, a compound that helps rejuvenate skin. You can get the benefits of DMAE by eating cold-water fish or by applying it to your skin by means of creams and moisturizers, says Longwill. Products that contain DMAE are thought to help firm skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

SEAWEED
Seaweed is a popular skin care ingredient across the globe, especially in Japan and France. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids and is thought to have a host of cosmetic benefits, including reducing inflammation and irritation, cleansing, firming, and softening. Because seaweed is also thought to help improve circulation, it’s a key ingredient in many cellulite-reducing creams and is used in detoxifying body wraps at spas. Several varieties of seaweed are used in skin care products.

GREEN TEA
The many health benefits of drinking green tea are widely known — it can help reduce cholesterol and may protect against certain cancers and glaucoma. When applied to your skin, green tea is a potent antioxidant that helps skin retain moisture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, says Longwill. Look for green tea in facial and body washes, masks, and moisturizers. For a refreshing treat, apply green tea bags dampened with cold water to your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.

ALOE
Aloe, which is instantly cooling and soothing, has been used medicinally for years to heal light burns, including those caused by the sun and certain chemicals. Its gel provides a barrier that protects against irritants and bacteria, and it hydrates and reduces inflammation, says Longwill. For the most potent burn relief, break a piece straight from a plant and squeeze the gel directly onto the burn. Moisturizers and other products that contain aloe are generally nonirritating, so they are a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

ACAI
The benefits of this trendy berry are not just hype. Acai berries, found in the Amazon jungle, contain a high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. When this super-food is added to moisturizers, it may help neutralize oxidative stress and protect skin against signs of sun damage. In addition, acai is known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to even out skin tone.


8 Yummy Tension-Taming Foods
When you're feeling tense, there are many ways to manage and, in fact, reduce stress levels. Your diet and nutrition choices can make your stress levels go up or down. Certain foods provide comfort and actually increase levels of hormones in the body that naturally fight stress. Other types of foods and beverages can reduce stress by lowering the levels of hormones that trigger it.

HAVE A CUP OF SOOTHING COMFORT
Sometimes, it's the effect of a food or drink that can help reduce stress, not necessarily its nutrients. A warm cup of tea can actually calm many people, says Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD, online nutrition coach and owner of Nutrition Works in Louisville, Ky. There's the soothing effect of sipping a warm drink, regardless of the flavor — but certain herbs, like lavender and chamomile, have been shown to have a relaxing effect on their own, Meyerowitz says.

INDULGE IN DARK CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate in the diet can reduce stress in two ways — its chemical impact and its emotional impact. Chocolate feels like such an indulgence that it can be a real treat to simply savor a piece of it, and that feeling alone can help to reduce stress, says Meyerowitz. Dark chocolate, which is also rich in antioxidants, can also help to reduce stress by lowering levels of stress hormones in the body, according to a Swiss study in which participants ate about 1.5 ounces per day for two weeks. Just avoid excess calories in your diet by not overindulging in chocolate, advises Meyerowitz.

CHOOSE CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates have been found to increase levels of serotonin, a chemical in the body that can boost mood and reduce stress. Once serotonin levels are increased, people under stress experience improved cognitive function, meaning they can concentrate and work better. Meyerowitz notes the comforting effect of carbohydrates in the diet that can reduce stress — savoring a bowl of pasta or macaroni and cheese feels soothing and can help you to relax. Just make sure to choose healthy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and whole-grains for better nutrition, and limit fat-laden, calorie-dense toppings.

ENJOY AVOCADOS
Avocados are not only delicious mashed into guacamole or sliced onto a salad — they're also packed with omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy essential acids are known to reduce stress and anxiety, boost concentration, and improve mood. Meyerowitz emphasizes the importance of getting the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet for overall health, in addition to the benefit of helping to reduce stress.

EAT FATTY FISH
Fatty fish are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent way to use diet and nutrition to reduce stress because they also offer a major benefit to cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids and fatty fish have also been found to ease depression, because the chemicals improve communication between nerve cells. Fatty fish include tuna, halibut, salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, and lake trout.

MAKE A MUG OF WARM MILK
A centuries-old home remedy for getting a better night’s sleep, warm milk helps because it has a relaxing effect on the body. Calcium-rich foods are an essential part of a healthy diet for bone health, but they also help with stress reduction. Milk and other dairy foods with calcium and added vitamin D can help muscles relax and stabilize mood — one study even found that they can also ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

GRAB A HANDFUL OF NUTS
(Beau says: I reaallllly want to make a comment here...)
Nuts are full of vitamins, including B vitamins, and healthy fatty acids as well. According to Meyerowitz, B vitamins are an important part of a healthy diet and can help to reduce stress. Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts can even help lower blood pressure levels. According to one study, pistachios in particular were found to have a role in reducing stress levels. Just remember to limit servings to just a handful a day to avoid excess calories.

GET MORE VITAMIN C
Some studies have found that high levels of vitamin C help ease stress levels. One double-blind study reported on the value of taking 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C in a slow-release formula to reduce stress and levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol. Another study looked at the stress reduction effects of taking a supplement containing 1,000 mg of C, plus B vitamins, calcium, and magnesium. Eating citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits, and strawberries is a good start, but you would need a supplement to reach such high levels of these nutrients.


**All articles found at http://www.everydayhealth.com/