Health Value Of Foods

A healthy diet is rich in foods with high nutritional value, providing your body with the vitamins, minerals and other food nutrients it needs to protect against disease and maintain a healthy weight. To identify healthy foods, it's important to read nutrition labels and know the source of your food. Products advertised as whole-grain, organic or fortified may not necessarily be healthy for you. Find out how to get the most health value from various fruits, nuts, spices, oils and vegetables -- and learn which types of red meat and processed foods to avoid -- with expert advice from Sharecare.

Recently Answered

QWhat are sources of whole grains?

5 Answers

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A American Diabetes Association answered
Finding whole grain foods can be a challenge. Some foods only contain a small amount of whole grain but will say they contain whole grain on the front of the package. For all cereals and grains, read the ingredient list and look for the following sources of whole grains as the first ingredient:

Bulgur (cracked wheat)

Whole wheat flour

Whole oats/oatmeal

Whole grain corn/corn meal

Popcorn

Brown rice

Whole rye

Whole grain barley

Wild rice

Buckwheat

Buckwheat flour

Triticale

Millet

Quinoa

Sorghum

Most rolls, breads, cereals, and crackers labeled as "made with" or "containing" whole grain do not have whole grain as the first ingredient. Read labels carefully to find the most nutritious grain products.
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QWhat are the health benefits of blueberries?

3 Answers

A
A Liz Weber, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Mercy Health
Following are some of the health benefits of eating blueberries:

Blueberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants among fruits due to their phytochemical content. Anthocyanins, ellagic acid and catechins make up just some of these great nutrients giving blueberries their cancer-fighting properties.

Blueberries are a great source of dietary fiber, manganese and vitamins C and K.

Blueberries can help reduce the risk of colorectal, mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung cancer.

Blueberries can increase the self-destruction of lung, stomach, pancreatic and breast cancer cells.

Quick tips: Buy fresh or frozen blueberries. Better yet, pick extra blueberries in the summer and freeze for winter use. For double cancer-fighting properties, mix blueberries and ground flax seed in your pancake mix.

Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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QWhat are the health benefits of eating apples?

2 Answers

A
A Liz Weber, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Mercy Health
Some of the health benefits of eating apples include the following:

Apples contain quercetin and other flavonoids that are both anti-inflammatory and antioxidants.

Apples are a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin C.

Apples can help reduce the risk of colorectal, mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung cancer.

Quick tip: Eat the peel! The peel contains the majority of the quercetin and one-third of the phytochemical properties.

Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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QWhat are the health benefits of eating tomatoes?

2 Answers

A
A Liz Weber, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Mercy Health
Following are some of the health benefits of eating tomatoes:

Tomatoes are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium and vitamins A, C and K.

Tomatoes are rich in beta-carotene and the carotenoid, lycopene, which act as antioxidants in the body. These compounds may prevent damage to DNA and other cells, and have been shown to decrease the growth of cancer cells in cell studies.

Tomatoes may reduce the risk of mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung cancer.

Quick tips: Buy fresh when in season or canned whole or diced tomatoes with no added salt in off season months. Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature for optimal flavor. Tomatoes can lose their flavor at cold temperatures.

Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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QWhat are the health benefits of eating cherries?

4 Answers

A
A Liz Weber, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Mercy Health
Following are some of the health benefits of eating cherries:

The dark red color of cherries comes from the content of anthocyanins. The anthocyanins and the phytochemicals, hydroxycinnamic acid and perillyl alcohol, are what give cherries their antioxidant power. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the body and may stimulate self-destruction of cancer cells.

Cherries are a good source of vitamins C and A, dietary fiber and potassium.

Eating cherries may reduce the risk of colorectal, mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung cancer.

Quick tips: Enjoy sweet cherries raw, poach for a delicious sauce to pair with meat or add dried cherries to salads or hot and cold cereal in the morning.

Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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QWhat are the benefits of eating cruciferous vegetables?

2 Answers

A
A Liz Weber, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Mercy Health
Eating cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, provides a number of benefits, including the following:

Although nutrient and phytochemical properties vary among cruciferous vegetables, glucosinolates, compounds shown to be protective against a number of diseases, are found in all cruciferous vegetables.

Cruciferous vegetables are a great source of dietary fiber, manganese, potassium, folate and vitamins C and K.

Cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of colorectal, mouth, pharynx, larynx and lung cancer.

They may also decrease inflammation and slow cancer cell growth.

Quick tips: To retain the most nutrients, steam, microwave, stir-fry or saute cruciferous vegetables instead of boiling. For extra cancer-fighting properties, combine more than one cruciferous vegetable to make a delicious side dish!

Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.
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QWhich milk and dairy products should I eat most often?

1 Answer

A
A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare
The following are sample servings (portions) for heart- healthy dairy:
Stick with dairy products that are 1% fat or less, and aim for 3 servings (3 cups) every day.
Sample servings (portions):

1 cup low-fat, skim, or fat-free milk

1 cup fortified soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk

1 cup low-fat yogurt or calcium-fortified soy yogurt

1 ounce low-fat cheese

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
QWhat is the nutritional value of cherries?

2 Answers

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A Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered

Sour cherries are lower in calories, with 58 calories in 3 1/2-oz (100 g) versus 70 calories in 3 1/2- oz of sweet cherries. Sour cherries are also higher in vitamin A, with 1,000 IU per 3 1/2-oz, than their sweet counterparts, which contain 110 IU per 3 1/2-oz. In addition to their content of flavonoids, melatonin, and perillyl alcohol (POH), both varieties of cherries contain significant amounts of several nutrients. Sour cherries are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a very good source of copper, and a good source of manganese. Sweet cherries are a good source of vitamin C and copper.

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