Nine Natural Healing Foods to Boost Your Health!

Most of us know that including more natural foods in our diet will help us to normalize our weight and increase our energy.

This is because fresh, natural foods have superior nutritional content to processed foods.

So when we eat better food, we actually need to eat far less.

But what are some of the foods we should be eating on a regular basis, and why are they good for us?

Read on to learn about nine natural foods that will help you to jump-start your health and vitality.

Nine Natural Healing Foods

They are also a very good source of protein, B vitamins, iron and potassium.

Experts say that just 2 servings a day can lower blood cholesterol as much as 27 percent!

They are a concentrated source of protein and a good source of the B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, iron, zinc and calcium.

Nuts and seeds are also a good source of dietary fiber.

3. Berries of late have been touted as one of nature's greatest anti-aging foods.

These colorful fruits are loaded with antioxidants, which scientists claim help to protect the body from free-radicals which contribute to premature aging.

Recent studies show that those who consume blue and red berries regularly have a lower incidence of cancer.

Though produce is generally considered more nutritious when eaten raw, this is not the case for tomatoes.

Nutritionists say that eating cooked tomatoes in soups and pasta sauces actually provide more potent doses of lycopene.

Recent studies also suggest that tomatoes may help deter macular degeneration, dementia and sun damage to the skin.

5. Oats are a great source of soluble fiber which can help lower blood cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease.

They are also a good food choice for diabetics because the soluble fiber in oats slow the rise of blood sugar levels after meals.

All cruciferous veggies--among them broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and collard greens--are rich in bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals that help protect our bodies from cancer.

Broccoli, experts say, is the star of this group because it has the most cancer-fighting properties of them all.

7. Red meat and poultry have gotten a bad rap by some "diet experts". However, LEAN cuts of red meat and poultry are not unhealthy for us. Moderation is key here.

Americans have to learn how to eat proper portions of all foods--period. This is especially true where animal products and fats are concerned.

However, most nutritional experts agree that animal products, eaten in moderation, are excellent sources of b vitamins and iron.

In fact, experts say that our bodies absorb the iron from lean red meat and poultry even more easily than from excellent plant sources like spinach.

Also, vitamin B12--vital to energy production, development of the nervous system and healthy red blood cells--is only available from animal products. So those who choose to abstain from all animal products must supplement with B12 to avoid a deficiency of this nutrient.

Experts from the American Heart Association say that we will be less likely to have a heart attack if we eat 1-2 servings of oily fish per week.

9. Yogurt promotes healthy bacterial growth in our intestines, which helps us to digest food more efficiently.

This healthy bacteria in turn helps to control the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.

Recent studies also suggest that yogurt may help to boost our immune system, lower cholesterol levels and protect us from colon cancer.