by Petra Newman

Created on: August 10, 2009   Last Updated: March 20, 2011

To eat healthy isn't that difficult. These healthy foods are attainable and incorporating them into our diets can make a world of difference to our well being.  A healthy active lifestyle coupled with a nutritious diet, can prevent cancer, reverse heart disease, lower cholesterol and clean your arteries.  It will rejuvenate you with vigor and vitality, and make you look and feel younger while significantly increasing your longevity.

The best foods of course are whole foods; food that has minimal to no processing. These foods contain nutrients, photochemical, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and healthful fats which will keep us healthy and see us into our centenarian years.  

1)   Whole grains -  breads, pasta and cereals, rice, corn, barley, oats, etc.  Whole grain retains the bran, germ and endosperm, which are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats.  Dr. Philip Mellen, M.D, lead author and assistant professor of internal medicine states " Consuming and average of 2.5 servings of whole grains each day is associated with a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

2)   Vegetables - broccoli, carrots lettuce, cabbage, potatoes and cauliflower, dark leafy green vegetable. Remember the brighter the color in the vegetables the better they are for you. Include dark purple eggplant, bright colored peppers and don't forget to add onions and garlic to the list. Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, beta carotene, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and calcium all of which are powerful nutrients that promote a healthy body.

3)   Fruit  - apples, bananas, peaches, pears, oranges, berries etc. In fact just about any fruit, exotic or local is rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins and fiber to fight heart disease, cancer and other degenerative diseases.

4)   Legume - peas, beans lentils, soy, etc. They are an excellent source of fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein and minerals.

Fruits and vegetables top the list of foods that slows the ageing process. The polyphenols in fruits and vegetables help prevent certain cancers and protect the cardiovascular system, blood vessels and helps protect nerve damage. The fruits and vegetables highest in polyphenols are apples, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, oranges, plums, peaches,and red grapes, cherries, broccoli, cereal bran, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and

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