Oz's Guide to the Healthiest Veggies

[TotallyOz]

The Healthiest Veggies

Getting healthy and losing weight is an important part of most of our lives. We want to look and feel our best. We know that eating right and exercising are an important part of that process.

The problem is that we never learn exactly what we need to do to stay healthy. It's one thing to tell people to “eat healthy and exercise.” But that won't help people if they don't know how to do it!

And let's face it - nobody teaches us in school how to really be healthy. We just have to try to figure it out on our own. But the bottom line is that what you eat can have a huge effect on your overall health and your weight.

Our experts were quick to point out that not all vegetables are created equal, and were happy to tell us which ones they recommend to those who are serious about their health.

• Broccoli. This is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It has a ton of antioxidants than can help prevent stomach, lung and rectal cancers. Broccoli is also great for your immune system. It has beta carotene, vitamin C and folate. This means it reduces your chances of getting a cold! It should be a regular part of any healthy person's diet.

• Carrots. They don't just help with your eyesight, though your mom was right that they can help you maintain your vision as you get older. But they are also packed with vitamin A, which can help your skin and hair look super healthy. Studies have shown they are very good for your cardiovascular system as well. And they have a ton of vitamin C to help you fight off the flu. All in all, they are an awesome addition to any diet plan you want to go on.

• Onions. While onions may not be great for your breath, they are wonderful for your health. Some studies have shown they can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Even better for women, they contain a peptide that slows the body's loss of calcium, meaning that they can help prevent osteoporosis.

• Bell Peppers. Peppers are very healthy. Some studies, in fact, have shown that they may reduce the risk of lung, colon, pancreatic and bladder cancer. They are also said to help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Bell peppers are also a good source of lycopene and folic acid. And, they come in a lot of fun colors for you to choose from!

• Spinach. Popeye was right: If you want to fight to the finish, make sure that you eat your spinach. It has a wide range of vitamins and minerals. In fact it's helpful in preventing everything from heart disease to colon cancer, arthritis and osteoporosis, and has anti-aging properties as well.

• Eggplant. Also called aubergines, they are great for helping protect your cardiovascular system. The antioxidants in eggplants are believed to help protect your brain cells from environmental damage, too. They have fiber that can help flush toxins from your body. Some studies have also shown they can protect you from dementia as you get older. People who make eggplant a part of their diet are also less likely to suffer from strokes.

• Squash. All forms of squash, from pumpkins to summer squash, are great for your body. Squash is recommended for people who are worried about asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is loaded with vitamin C to help boost your immune system. It is rich in fiber. Squash is also loaded with potassium and magnesium, which means that it can even help you get over a hangover if you've been out on the town and had one too many drinks over the course of the night!

• Brussels Sprouts. These aren't just mini cabbages. They are rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. They are a great source of folic acid, which is important for any woman who is pregnant or thinking about trying to become pregnant. Their high fiber content can help prevent bloating and help keep you regular.

• Tomatoes. People can argue back and forth about whether or not tomatoes are a vegetable or a fruit – but at the end of the day, what really matters is how incredibly important they are as part of any balanced diet. They contain a lot of lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent a wide variety of cancers. They help naturally lower your blood pressure. They can help you keep the free radicals in your body in check. They are also a rich source of vitamins A and K. Overall, they are one of nature's perfect foods – and they taste great!

• Sweet Potatoes. Some people call them yams, but a sweet potato by any other name is still as sweet. The iron in them helps give your body more energy, which is important if you want to seriously work out. They are good for your digestive system and full of fiber. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins A and K and are a good source of manganese. So, don't just eat sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving. Make them a regular part of your diet!

All of these veggies not only taste great, but are incredibly healthy. If you can include them in your diet on a regular basis, you'll be helping your body work at its peak potential. That will make it easier for you to feel good and exercise, which will make you even healthier and help you lose weight.

Best of all, they can be incorporated in lots of tasty meals and will provide enough variety in your diet so that you'll never get bored.

So, remember, eat your veggies – but eat the right ones!

[TampaYankee]

Good list.

Add to it all 'heavy' greens. By that I mean kale, collard, mustard, turnip, chard etc. They are very dense nutritionally including all sorts of goodies besides the basic vitamins.

Include mushrooms. They have nutrients (enzymes) that apparently help starve cancer cells of blood supply. That's a good thing. Who knows who has a few of those pesky cells trying to form. Ounce of prevention...

Garlic too. Each as much as your company can stand. Cooking softens the impact both odorwise and probably a little nutritionally as well. It's a trade.