The Foodie: Superfoods

Although there’s no legal definition of a superfood, WebMD has compiled a list of foods that experts assert will improve your health. “I’d say that 50% to 70% of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted,” says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer. The WebMD list explains why each food is healthy and how to eat it in its most pure, nutritious form. Foods range from blueberries to tea to dark chocolate, and offer a full range of health benefits.

Food Network suggests “10 Foods For Better Health” and ideas for cooking with them. The list would be better titled “10 food groups” as items include legumes, citrus and even vegetables. Select a food group to learn about its benefits in a bulleted list, and choose a few specific recipes that appeal to you. Then visit the findingDulcinea Cooking Healthy Web Guide for even more options.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s list of 10 superfoods has some overlap with the WebMD list, but it’s specifically devoted to foods that contribute to the “Brain-Beauty Connection,” Perricone’s philosophy for defying age and looking younger. Click on a particular food to see its specific health benefits and how to incorporate it into your diet.

Before you get too caught up in the superfood hype, remember that while beans and yogurt are undeniably healthy, fancier items like gourmet berries and pomegranates may not be necessary, especially if you’re on a budget. A nutritionist interviewed by the Guardian explains that our bodies have certain requirement for nutrients and if we get an overload, we simply excrete them. In other words, we’re spending a lot of money on vitamins we won’t use. Obsessing over power nutrients is also dangerous, experts say, because people believe that certain foods can be a cure-all for a bad diet. We’re better off focusing on a balanced diet of healthy, less expensive foods than shelling out $7 for a bottle of pomegranate juice.

Yogurt is a favorite target of fancy marketing schemes promising extra nutrients. The bottom line on yogurt? It really is good for you. Plain, nonfat yogurt has all the vitamins, cultures and protein you need. However, nearly every company that makes yogurt has developed special yogurt products designed to aid digestion, provide more calcium or offer more vitamins. Take a look at iVillage’s yogurt guide to get the lowdown on yogurt and make an informed choice when you’re in the grocery aisle.

The yogurt hype teaches us that the nutrients you need exist naturally in plenty of common foods. In fact, you might already be eating those foods. Check the World’s Healthiest Food Web site for a list of all the nutrients and vitamins we need. When you click on an item, you’ll find out why it’s essential and most importantly, which foods contain it.

If you’re still feeling uncertain about your ability to choose the right foods, you can always rely upon a basic tool: FDA nutrition facts labels. The FDA even teaches you how to read a label, and explains percent daily values.