#15 HEALTHIEST FRUITS - PINEAPPLES

Today we come to the end of the list of the top fifteen healthiest fruits listed in a health guide journal I picked up in my oncologist office. The last on the list is pineapples. I was surprised pineapples were so low on the list. I have no idea why as I am not a fruit expert. Anyway, below is the quote from the journal.

"Low in calories, pineapples provide ample amounts of vitamin C, copper, manganese, and several other key nutrients. By eating a cup of the sliced fruit, you can meet 88 percent of your daily vitamin C needs. Pineapples also contain bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immune-supported properties."

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#12 HEALTHIEST FRUITS - GRAPES

 Today's post is about number 12 on the list of healthiest fruits and it is a favorite of many. Grapes are some of the most popular fruits of all ages. No more words are necessary from me so let's get to what the health journal has to say.

"Grapes are high in polyphenol compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and resveratrol, all of which can help increase heart health and defend against cardiovascular disease. (It's thought that resveratrol may even help prevent skin aging and protect against age-related health conditions.) Grapes are full of nutrients vital to health, such as copper, vitamin K, and B vitamins."

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SESAME SEEDS

Seeds and nuts are healthy foods that should be eaten on a regular basis by most of us (there are always some people allergic to certain foods).  To get more sesame seeds in your diet, add them to stir-fries, and to coatings for fish, chicken, etc.  They are also good tossed into salads, veggies, and cooked brown rice. They can also be used as a crunchy ingredient in casserole toppings, etc.

Sesame seeds are high in magnesium, copper, and calcium!

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GET ACQUAINTED WITH QUINOA

If quinoa (keen wah) is not a part of your diet, it probably should be.  Many are confused about what quinoa is and its benefits.  Here are some facts:

Click on the image for easier reading.

The high level of magnesium is known to reduce headaches and regulate blood sugar, additional benefits not listed above.

YES, CASHEWS CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU

We all know too many cashews can be bad for the waistline but cashews are good for you, too.  Cashews are a good source of copper and that is important because copper deficiency is associated with increased risk of colon cancer and no one wants to deal with that dreaded disease.  Cashews, as well as avocados - by the way, are also high in oleic acid, an anti-cancer component of monounsaturated fat.  Cashews, as with other nuts, are whole foods therefore active calories, and they contain fiber.  So go ahead and enjoy some cashew chicken, etc, or enjoy a few unsalted cashews as a snack. 

NOTE: As with all foods, moderation is the key to eating healthy.

WALNUTS ARE NATURE'S MULTIVITAMIN AND A HAPPINESS FOOD

Walnuts are sometimes called the multivitamin designed by nature!  If walnuts are not currently a part of your diet, they should be!  Consider this list of vitally important nutrients packed into a little walnut:

• trace minerals
• macronutrients
• magnesium
• copper
• iron
• manganese
• zinc
• calcium
• omega-3s
• folate
• other B vitamins

And I have probably missed one or two!  And by the way, walnuts are also considered 'happiness food."