The 10 Superfoods For A Super Healthy Body

There are 10 superfoods proven, expert-beloved disease fighters and energy boosters. Add them to your meals and get on the fast track to a super-healthy body.  We will begin by looking at the first three of those ten superfoods.  Read below to see why these superfoods are a must for your diet as well as some great tips for each of them.


Lemons:

Why They're Healthy:
-- Just one lemon has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.

-- Citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.

Quick Tip:
Add a slice of lemon to your green tea. One study found that citrus increases your body's ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80 percent.

Broccoli


Why It's Healthy:
-- One medium stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C -- two essential bone-building nutrients.

-- The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.

Quick Tip:
Zap it! Preserve up to 90 percent of broccoli's vitamin C by microwaving. (Steaming or boiling holds on to just 66 percent of the nutrient.)

Dark Chocolate


Why It's Healthy:
-- Just one-fourth of an ounce daily can reduce blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.

-- Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants shown to reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase "good" HDL levels.

Quick Tip:
A dark chocolate bar contains about 53.5 milligrams of flavonoids; a milk chocolate bar has fewer than 14.


I have a great idea!  Why not squeeze a little lemon on that brocolli after you zap it in the microwave. Serve the brocolli as a side dish with a wonderful meatloaf and have a BIG bar of dark chocolate for dessert.

Now that's what I call a great comfort meal!  How about you?