From breakfast cereal... to nuts... to fast food, here is my "healthiest" list!
Healthiest Cereal
The healthiest cereal is going to be a fiber-heavy, fortified cereal made with whole grains. Whole grain cereal has the grain kernel completely intact rather than removing the germ and bran in processing, which casts aside many important vitamins, minerals, fibers and phytonutrients, which prevent cell damage.
You should also keep an eye out for fiber content. Cereals are among the highest source of fiber for Americans. You should choose a cereal with at least three grams of fiber per serving.
My Choice: Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli
A traditional, European-inspired muesli cereal made from a blend of whole grain wheat, rolled oats, raisins, almonds and walnuts.
Healthiest Vegetable
Only one in 10 adults consume the recommended daily vegetable intake (CDC).
Dark leafy greens have vitamin K, they are rich in calcium and a host of different antioxidants.
My Choice: Spinach
One cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories. Spinach also boasts antioxidants, which may help reduce your risk of disease. One study found that dark leafy greens like spinach are high in beta carotene and lutein, two antioxidants that are associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Another study suggested that spinach may benefit heart health by helping reduce blood pressure.
Spinach is high in iron, potassium, magnesium and carotenoids (like vitamin A), as well as vitamins K, C, E and B. All that to say, it’s full of vitamins and minerals essential to blood clotting, bone metabolism and a healthy immune system, and antioxidants for anti-aging and anti-inflammation.
Healthiest Fast Food
My Choice: Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets with Kale Crunch Side
The combination of the kale crunch side salad with grilled nuggets is one of the healthiest fast-food combinations. It's low in calories and high in protein, which is going to keep you fuller longer. It's also packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, calcium, and potassium. Furthermore, it is only 560 milligrams of sodium, making it a good option for those with high blood pressure.
Healthiest Nut
My Choice: Walnuts
Walnuts are a great source of Omega-3s, and they help increase HDL levels. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein, sometimes referred to as "good cholesterol." HDL cholesterol absorbs cholesterol in the blood and brings it to the liver to flush out of the body. High levels of HDL are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Studies suggest walnuts also improve memory, learning, motor coordination, anxiety and locomotor activity. I personally eat walnuts daily!
Healthiest Fruit
My Choice: Wild Blueberries
Wild blueberries are different from regular blueberries.
They contain more antioxidants. Wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant capacity per serving in comparison to regular blueberries and other berries, such as raspberries and strawberries.
Wild blueberries are rich in phytochemicals called polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. There are many different types of polyphenols in wild blueberries, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, chlorogenic acids, and flavonols. Antioxidants offer a wide range of health benefits, including reducing age-associated oxidative stress and inflammation.
They contain 2x the fiber. Wild blueberries contain twice the amount of fiber compared to regular blueberries—about 6.2 grams of fiber per cup, which is 25% of the daily recommended value for fiber (Click here to learn about the important health benefits of eating fiber).
The contain 30% less sugar. Wild blueberries contain 30% less sugar than regular blueberries and are considered to be a low glycemic food.
They contain 8x more manganese. Wild blueberries contain 8x more manganese compared to regular blueberries. One serving of wild blueberries (1 cup) provides 4 mg or 200% of the daily recommended value for manganese. Manganese is an important trace mineral that has antioxidant properties. Research has shown that manganese may improve bone health, reduce inflammation, help regulate blood sugar, and plays a role in nutrient metabolism.
More nutrition for less calories. One cup of wild blueberries is low in calories (80 calories per cup), yet they are packed with nutrition. Not only are wild blueberries low in fat, but they also contain several micronutrients, including, iron, vitamin C, folic acid, and manganese. They also have a higher anthocyanin content (antioxidant) than regular blueberries.