Published by The World's Healthiest Foods

CRITERIA

Among the thousands of different foods our world provides, the majority contain at least several of the nutrients our bodies need but to be included as one of the World's Healthiest Foods they had to meet the criteria listed below.

The criteria we used will also help you understand why some of your favorite (and also nutritious) foods may not be included on our list. For example, Readers have asked why mango, a very nutritious food, is not among the World's Healthiest Foods. While mangoes taste great and are rich in vitamins and minerals, they do not fit our criteria of familiarity and availability.

1. The World's Healthiest Foods are the Most Nutrient Dense

The World's Healthiest Foods have been selected because they are among the richest sources of many of the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. We used a concept called nutrient density to determine which foods have the highest nutritional value.

Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients a food contains in comparison to the number of calories. A food is more nutrient dense when the level of nutrients is high in relationship to the number of calories the food contains. By eating the World's Healthiest Foods, you'll get all the essential nutrients that you need for excellent health, including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, fiber and more for the least number of calories. Read more about Our Food and Recipe Rating System.

2. The World's Healthiest Foods are Whole Foods

The World's Healthiest Foods are also whole foods complete with all their rich natural endowment of nutrients. They have not been highly processed nor do they contain synthetic, artificial or irradiated ingredients. And whenever possible, The Healthier Way of Eating recommends purchasing "Organically Grown" foods, since they not only promote your health, but also the health of our planet.

3. The World's Healthiest Foods are Familiar Foods

The World's Healthiest Foods are common "everyday" foods. These include the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats, fish, olive oil, herbs and spices that are familiar to most people.

4. The World's Healthiest Foods are Readily Available

Although there are many foods that are exceptionally nutritious, many of them are not readily available in different areas of the country. The World's Healthiest Foods are foods that the majority people can easily find at their local market.

5. The World's Healthiest Foods are Affordable

We have selected foods that are not only familiar and available, but also affordable, especially if you purchase them locally and in season. This is also the time when they are the freshest and of the best quality.

6. The World's Healthiest Foods Taste Good

The World's Healthiest Foods are also some of the world's best tasting foods. We have created recipes using the World's Healthiest Foods that do not overpower, but enhance, the unique flavor of each food. Each recipe provides a flavor adventure so you can discover new ways to experience and enjoy the great natural tastes of these foods.

VEGETABLES
Asparagus
Avocado
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Collard greens
Cucumber
Eggplant
Fennel bulb
Garlic
Green beans
Green peas
Kale
Leeks
Mushrooms, Crimini
Mushrooms, Shiitake
Mustard greens
Olives
Onions
Parsley
Romaine lettuce
Sea vegetables
Spinach
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Swiss chard
Tomato, fresh
Turnip Greens

ROOT VEGETABLES
Beets
Carrots
Potatoes
Sweet potato, with skin
Yam
Fish & Seafood
Cod
Halibut
Salmon
Scallops
Shrimp
Snapper
Tuna

FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Banana
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cranberries
Fig
Grapefruit
Grapes
Kiwifruit
Lemon and Limes
Orange
Papaya
Pear, Bartlett
Pineapple
Plum
Prune
Raisins
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

LOW FAT DAIRY
Cheese, low-fat
Eggs, hen
Milk, 2%, cow's
Milk, goat
Yogurt, low-fat, cow's milk
Beans & Legumes
Black beans
Dried peas
Garbanzo beans
Kidney beans
Lentils
Lima beans
Miso
Navy beans
Pinto beans
Soybeans
Tempeh
Tofu

POULTRY & LEAN MEATS
Beef, lean organic
Calf's liver
Chicken
Lamb, loin
Turkey, roast
Venison

NUTS & SEEDS
Almonds
Cashews
Flaxseeds
Olive oil
Peanuts
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts

GRAINS
Barley
Buckwheat
Corn, yellow
Millet
Oats
Quinoa
Rice, brown
Rye
Spelt
Wheat

SPICES & HERBS
Basil
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Chili Pepper, Red, dried
Cinnamon, ground
Cloves
Coriander seeds
Cumin seeds
Dill weed, dried
Ginger
Mustard seeds
Oregano
Peppermint leaves, fresh
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme, ground
Turmeric, ground

NATURAL SWEETENERS
Blackstrap molasses
Cane juice
Honey
Maple syrup
Other
Green tea
Soy sauce (tamari)

RELATED ARTICLES:

Battling An Eating Disorder: When Bulimia Becomes A True American Idol Sized Problem

Healthy Image Nutrition Software - Enjoy Your Life!

Get A Free Veguit 48-Day Wellness Diet E-Book

Give A Gift with a Healthy Attitude!