Cranberries
They earn super status for their ability to help fight off nasty urinary tract infections. About 10 ounces of juice a day does the trick. Plus, recent research shows that cranberries might also help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs, gum disease, and certain types of cancer. Add a little unsweetened cranberry juice to smoothies, and sprinkle some dried berries into cereal and muffin mix.
Walnuts
These nuts are rich in omega-3s, which help reduce inflam-mation and increase good cholesterol. They may even help with depression and reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Top your salad with 1/4 cup or try them in pesto.
Beans
The humble legume may prevent heart disease and help head off colon cancer. Rich in two heart-friendly phytochemicals, beans are packed with magnesium, potassium, folate, and fiber. Get a 1/2 cup five to six times per week by adding canned kidney and garbanzo beans (rinse and drain first) to salads, burritos, and dips.
Fish
Studies show that eating seafood rich in omega-3s at least twice a week could reduce your risk of heart disease. And the reports say women of childbearing age and nursing mothers can safely eat as much as 12 ounces of seafood a week if they avoid high-mercury swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel; albacore tuna should be limited to 6 ounces a week.
Tomatoes
Loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and ?cooked tomato products pack a big health punch (at 32 milligrams, 1 cup of spaghetti sauce serves up the day’s recommended intake). Studies show that women with lycopene-rich diets can have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The antioxidant can also lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and may even reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration and a host of cancers.
By Joan Raymond
Comments (16)
Good Information. I always thought almonds were the preferred nut.
Agree with LJ also - thought it was almonds!
Very informative, thank you so much for this!
Thank you so much for this wonderful article! :-)
I am certain that you have just helped to save the lives of countless women!
I found it very interesting that walnuts reduce inflamation!
Thank you! Thought almonds too!
Thank you!
Thought almonds was the great ones too!
Walnuts it is….
Cranberries and juice is quite good for you, but be careful if you have kidney stones. Cranberry juice makes them worse. Check with your urologist.
I know that cranberry juice and cranberries are good to prevent UTI’s but they give me such heart burn. The acidity is awful to me, Yuck. Not to good tasting either.
Love Walnuts. Sprinkle them on cereal or put into pancakes yummy.
Yes I always thought tomatoes was very good now they are great,great news……
Both nuts are good. But are we so sure walnuts are preferable over almonds? Tomorrow another of these studies will tout almonds over walnuts. I like both, I just like almonds better. I buy raw almonds (the pre-measured handful-a-day sachets at Trader Joe’s…Yum.
…and 12 oz of seafood a week? I eat more fish than that in a day, and I eat Fish at least 4 times a week. Does anybody know what kind of problem(s) may arise from eating so much fish? I’ve lost quite a bit of weight by eating just fish and lean chicken breast.
thanks for the information. i never really thought of walnuts and beans as part of my diet.
I mix walnuts, almonds, and raisins together then put them on a salad. The best of all!
I mix walnuts, almonds and raisins together then add them to a salad. The best of all!
Is eating cereal with Fat-free lactaid a good breakfast to help loose weight.
Be careful with cranberries if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. They contain high levels of alcohol and not enough is known about them to be considered safe during these times.