Ten healthy foods explained - including almonds, blueberries and sweet potatoes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Mayo Clinic experts name the top ten healthy foods and explain why they are good for you.
One easy way of eating healthy foods is to have a 'short list' of what to include in your daily diet. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, there is a 'top ten' list and good reasons why you should eat them frequently. Apples are a good snack - high in pectin which lowers cholesterol. Almonds are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamins, magnesium and iron and, again, are a good food for when you are on the move.

Broccoli is well known for its high content of phytochemicals that can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, as are blueberries, which are also rich in antioxidants. Good protein foods include red beans and salmon, while spinach and sweet potatoes are particularly high in certain vitamins. Meanwhile, vegetable juices - especially those including tomatoes - are a good source of lycopene which is an antioxidant thought to be important in warding off cancer. And finally, the Mayo doctors recommend wheat germ which is a good source of thiamin, folate, magnesium and other minerals.

Source
Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource August 2006