Part 4: How Happy is Your Health?

Part 4: How Happy Is Your Health?

Tue 26 Jun 2012

Story by Sophie Keller
 

This post is part of Sophie Keller’s “How Happy Is Your Health?” series, on The Food Revolution this month.

7 Top Vegetables



If you want to keep your health in tip-top condition, eat vegetables as they are packed with nutrients that your body needs to live a long and healthy life.

Here is a list of the top 7 vegetables that I consider essential to maintaining good health. If you eat them on a regular basis, you’ll be getting a fantastic variety of essential nutrients. These vegetables are best for you when eaten organic and raw. And don’t shy away from the variety of colors here. The more colorful your plate looks with natural ingredients, the more likely you are to get a wide range of nutrients.

Spinach
This is one of the most nutrient-packed foods and is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin C, beta-carotene, calcium and vitamin K, which is vital for the absorption of calcium.

Broccoli
This is an incredible super food with cancer- fighting power. Packed full of nutrients, broccoli is very high in calcium, vitamin C and folic acid and can help prevent heart disease.

Sweet Potatoes
Even though they are called “potatoes,” sweet potatoes are not actually related to the potato at all. The antioxidant properties of sweet potatoes can help rid the body of free radicals, which are linked to many chronic illnesses. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet potatoes are really high in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin A, potassium, iron and calcium. One study showed that eating sweet potatoes can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 29 percent. And eating two servings a week can potentially cut your risk of suffering a heart attack by as much as 86 percent.

Onions
Onions have antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. They contain powerful antioxidants, promote stomach health and are great for building strong bones.

Kale
Kale has more nutrient value per calorie than most vegetables. It is packed full of vitamins and minerals, like calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and K.

Carrots
Carrots are really high in carotenoids, and antioxidant that has been associated with a lower incidence of many different types of cancers. Carrots are also known to help strengthen your vision and are also essential for a healthy colon.

Garlic
Garlic is one of the oldest medicinal vegetables. It can reduce plaque and lower cholesterol and is known to decrease the risk of stomach and colon cancer. It also has antiviral, antiparasitic, antibacterial and blood-thinning properties.

More from Sophie Keller:

Part 1: Take the ‘how happy is your health?’ quiz

Part 2: Listen to your body

Part 3: How To Get Rid Of Cravings

About the author: Sophie Keller is a happiness expert, speaker and author of the best selling How Happy is 4-book series: How Happy is Your Health? How Happy is Your Home? How Happy is Your Love Life? And How Happy is Your Marriage? You can find out more about Sophie on www.howhappyis.com. Follow her on twitter @Sophie_Keller and join the conversation on happiness on facebook.com/howhappyis, www.facebook.com/howhappyis the daily tips and advice can only help you to become happier.