| We eat to nourish our bodies and stay healthy and | | | | vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, |
| strong. But which food is best? That is, if you could | | | | iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. |
| survive on eating only one thing for the rest of your | | | | Soybeans - found in foods like soy milk, soy sauce, |
| life, what would that perfect food be? | | | | miso (soybean paste), tempeh (which is kind of like a |
| Here are the top contenders (in no particular order): | | | | soy cake), and tofu, soy products provide a good |
| Blueberries - packed with antioxidants and | | | | source of protein (and healthy meat alternative), as |
| phytochemicals, they are delicious. Widely available | | | | well as iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B vitamins, |
| year-round fresh or frozen, they may help protect | | | | omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber. |
| against Alzheimer's disease and colon cancer, plus | | | | Whole grains - contain valuable antioxidants not found |
| they improve nighttime visual acuity and help fight | | | | in fruits and vegetables. They also contain B vitamins, |
| aging by reducing wrinkles. | | | | vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and fiber. Their main |
| Avocadoes - provide more than 25 essential | | | | benefits include heart disease and stroke risk |
| nutrients, including potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, | | | | reduction, and type 2 diabetes risk reduction. |
| and folic acid. One serving (about one-fifth of a | | | | Broccoli - packed with vitamins A and C, iron, calcium |
| medium avocado) contains 55 calories, most of which | | | | and phytonutrients, it is filling, high in fiber, and low in |
| come from monounsaturated fat, thought to help | | | | calories. It also contains many cancer-fighting |
| maintain heart health. They are also a great source of | | | | antioxidants and can help prevent cataracts, heart |
| fiber. | | | | disease, and arthritis. |
| Sweet potato - naturally sweet, low in calories, high | | | | Bananas - a sweet source of potassium (an |
| in fiber, and packed with vitamins and minerals | | | | electrolyte necessary for maintaining many functions |
| (including beta-carotene, vitamin C, manganese, | | | | in the body), vitamin C, and several amino acids, |
| copper, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron), the sweet | | | | bananas make a wonderful addition to any meal of |
| potato is king. Note that the moist, orange-fleshed | | | | the day for all age groups. |
| sweet potatoes are NOT to be confused with yams, | | | | Chocolate - perhaps most delicious of all, chocolate |
| which are not related to sweet potatoes, and not | | | | contains heart-healthy antioxidants called flavonoids, |
| usually found in local grocery stores. | | | | which may reduce damage to arteries by preventing |
| Yogurt - has live cultures (probiotics), calcium, and B | | | | the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. About |
| vitamins, which work together to help mitigate | | | | one-third of the fat is monounsaturated, which can |
| lactose intolerance, allergies, colon and breast cancer, | | | | even slightly lower cholesterol. Additionally, it appears |
| diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. In addition, the | | | | that cocoa (chocolate without the fat) has an |
| calcium in yogurt helps reduce the chance of | | | | aspirin-like effect, helping to prevent blood clots |
| osteoporosis and keep our teeth strong. The protein | | | | known to cause heart attacks. Also, new studies |
| helps our muscles to get stronger. | | | | have shown cocoa may lower blood pressure and |
| Salmon - a good source of protein and omega-3 | | | | improve the body's processing of sugar. |
| fatty acids (more highly concentrated in the wild | | | | And the Winner is … |
| kind), salmon reduces inflammation and improves | | | | So, which food is most perfect? None of them! |
| cholesterol levels, thereby reducing risk of heart | | | | That's right. Because our bodies cannot function |
| attack and stroke. | | | | without all essential nutrients, and no food exists that |
| Eggs - high in quality protein and essential fatty acids, | | | | provides every single one, we could not possibly live |
| they offer many ingredients needed to build and | | | | on any one food. |
| maintain strong health. Eggs also provide significant | | | | Bon appetite! |
| amounts of several vitamins and minerals, including | | | | |