My 20 Favorite Foods

If somebody asked you to choose your 20 favorite foods, what would they be? What if you were told that they would be the only foods you could eat for the rest of your life? Here are the 20 foods I would have to have.

1. Apples: Great source of fiber. Helps prevent cholesterol buildup and reduces possibility of arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Packed with potassium and low in calories. And Benjamin Franklin said, “Eat an apple a day....”

2. Spinach: Loads of Vitamin K, A and C. Packed with manganese, folate, iron, calcium and potassium. Research shows that spinach helps in the prevention of osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and arthritis.

3. Celery: Rich in vitamin C. It is one of my favorite foods because I like the crunchy texture added to my spinach salad.

4. Brown Rice: Great source of fiber. Good source of manganese, selenium and magnesium, iron, Vitamin B1, B3, and B6. Research has shown that the oil in brown rice helps lower cholesterol. Don’t eat white rice. The process of milling and polishing destroys most of the natural nutrients.

5. Lemons/Limes: I start out each morning by chugging a glass of lemon or lime water. I squeeze them fresh every morning. Rich source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. Even though lemons and limes are acidic, they actually have an alkaline effect on the body.

6. Broccoli: Great source of calcium, iron and magnesium and is low-calorie, low-fat, low-sodium, and high in fiber. Good source of vitamin A and C. More Vitamin C than oranges. Contains some 3% of protein.

7. Asparagus: Excellent source of protein, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenate Acid, Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium, and a great source of fiber. Contains vitamin A, C, E, and K.

8. Avocados: Low in cholesterol and Sodium. Good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and folate. Blocks bad LDL cholesterol.

9. Almonds: Good source of protein. Low in saturated fat and contain calcium and magnesium for strong bones. Also contain vitamin E and phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

10. Romaine Lettuce: Excellent source of vitamin A, K, C, manganese, and chromium. Also a good source of vitamin B and potassium.

11. Cabbage: Rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. Cabbage has antioxidant power that helps clear up toxins. It was revered in ancient Rome as a cancer cure.

12. Carrots: Great source of antioxidant compounds. They are the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Also known to promote good vision.

13. Red Grapes: Contain beneficial compounds called flavonoids, which are phytonutrients that give the vibrant purple color to grapes. Considered a powerful antioxidant. Prevents the accumulation of harmful oxidized cholesterol.

14. Sweet Potatoes: Excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). Also a good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.

15. Quinoa: Contains twice the protein of other grains with fewer carbohydrates. A complete protein that has all the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle.

16. Beans: If I could only pick one it would be the black bean because it is the most nutritious. Good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. Combined with brown rice, black beans provide fat-free high quality protein.

17. Flax Seed: Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that helps prevent heart disease.

18. Blueberries: Strong antioxidant power. Its phytonutrients fight cancer, heart disease and age-related memory loss.

19. Tomatoes: Contains lycopene and phytochemicals that protect against heart attack, cancers and macular degeneration.

20. Tofu: A complete source of protein. One of the only food products that provide all eight essential amino acids. It contains no animal fats or cholesterol. Tofu is low on sodium, contains few calories, and is easy to digest. Excellent source of iron and Vitamin B. Also a source of calcium. I like it on my spinach salad.