The Five Best Foods You Can Eat

In the vernacular of modern dietitians, the five best foods you can eat translates to the five most functional foods you can eat, with functional meaning foods that, in the simplest terms, offer the five greatest health benefits, which of course means the five best foods you can eat. Tired of this? Ready to read some functional sentences?

The New York State Dietetic Association (NYSDA) surveyed its leadership recently and
asked them to choose the top functional foods based on health benefits
and value. And the winners are:
1. Salmon: Chosen for omega-3 fatty acids, which not only raise good
HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol, they may also lower the
risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2. Oats:  Chosen for their fiber
content. This powerhouse nutrient, known for aiding with digestion,
also helps fight disease, and may lower risk for high cholesterol,
heart disease, diabetes,
and cancer.
3. Blueberries: Chosen for
antioxidants, which are thought to help protect the body against
the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases
associated with the aging process.
4. Low-Fat Milk: Chosen for its
calcium and vitamin D content. Instrumental in lowering high blood
pressure, helping with regular heart beat, and building strong bones,
calcium is a nutrient most Americans are not getting enough of. The
same is true for vitamin D, a nutrient receiving a substantial amount
of attention and found to have numerous health benefits including
prevention of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
5. Low-Fat Yogurt:  Particularly low-fat yogurt with probiotics. That means living organisms that can aid in
digestion and immune function when eaten in adequate amounts.
Read more from the New York State Dietetic Association.