10 Foods You Should Add to Your Dietby Lisa P | More from this Blogger 16 Nov 2007 07:45 AM
Almonds These have heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Recent studies have found that one ounce of almonds every day can reduce LDL cholesterol and reduce risk of heart attack. Almonds are also rich in calcium, protein, copper, zinc, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin E. Bell Peppers Bell peppers (red, orange, yellow or green) are loaded with vitamins A and C, vitamin B6 and folate. Red peppers also have lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of several different types of cancers. Blueberries Blueberries contain resveratrol, the same heart-protecting flavonoid found in wine. Broccoli One half-cup of broccoli contains as much vitamin C as an orange and only about half the calories. The same sized serving will also give you 40 milligrams of calcium and none of the fat that a cup of milk would have. Grapes Grapes protect your heart from free radical damage and also contain flavonoids, including resveratrol. Olive Oil Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat and helps to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It also helps reduce high blood pressure. Olive oil contains vitamin E, carotenoids like beta-carotene, and extra-virgin varieties are high in antioxidant phytonutrients. Spinach Spinach is good for more than just Popeye. This is a great source of iron for those who prefer to forego red meat. It is also high in calcium and vitamin K, both of which are great for bone health. Spinach is also high in folate and recent research suggests that spinach helps prevent arthritis. Strawberries One half cup contains only 25 to 30 calories but also has plenty of heart-healthy nutrients that minimize the damage caused by LDL cholesterol, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and help protect against cancer. Tomatoes Tomatoes contain phytochemicals that protect your cardiovascular system as well as lycopene, in particular, which reduces the risk of breast, cervix, prostate, pancreas, and lung cancers. Whole Grains White flour, used in processed foods, is grain that has had the bran, germ, and endosperm stripped from the kernel. If we use whole grain flour or products produced with whole grain flour, we get the benefit of whole grain's natural fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients. All of these help boost metabolism (it takes more calories to digest it) and control blood sugar (it is slower to convert to sugar than processed flour). Whole grains also help to lower our risk of diabetes, cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Try to incorporate as many of these items as possible into your daily diet. While none of them is a sure cure for being overweight, they'll add variety to your menu and help to keep your body healthy. Related Blogs: Keep Your Salads Healthy and Tasty Learn more about Lisa P  Lisa used to be a freelance writer and Community Manager for Families.com, but she has finally made the jump to novelist. Relevantweight loss tags Food | Scrapbooking | weight loss | holidays | children | pregnancy | baby | Kids | christmas | Coupons User Comments  HotHarmony (5) 20 Nov 2007 09:57 AMI love this article, I have added almost all these food to my diet on a regular basis and it's helped me even out my blood sugar so I don't hardly ever get cravings. Good article! Community Tags Almond, broccoli, diet, strawberry, weight loss Discuss this article
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The following foods are high in nutritional value and low in calories. If you can incorporate them into your diet you should. 
