10 "Superfoods" to Eat Daily for Optimal Health - Part 1

SuperFoods 

Ask five nutrition experts to provide a list of their favorite "superfoods," and the results will vary—but they'll also overlap. The reason is each food provides something different and of great use to your body.

One food on the list might be a rich source of protein or fiber but wind up lacking in vitamins and minerals. Another superfood could be loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, but be largely absent of protein. That's why experts claim that eating a wide variety of power foods is the best way to ensure optimal health.

Try to eat the following foods every day, and you'll check just about all of the nutritional boxes.

Food #1 - Blueberries Are a Top Antioxidant

In a study of common fruits and vegetables, blueberries contained more antioxidants than over 40 of their competitors. This places the unassuming berry at the top of the list for guarding against cancer, heart disease, dementia, and macular degeneration. 

Blueberries also defend against urinary tract infections, thanks to the antioxidant epicatechins. Epicatechins prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Blueberries are also high in water, providing hydration to the skin and cells of the body.

Eating half a cup of blueberries satisfies one fruit and vegetable serving per day.

Blueberries Are a Top Antioxidant

Ask five nutrition experts to provide a list of their favorite "superfoods," and the results will vary—but they'll also overlap. The reason is each food provides something different and of great importance to body functioning.  

One food on the list might be a rich source of protein or fiber, but wind up lacking in vitamins and minerals. Another superfood could be loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, but be largely absent of protein. That's why experts claim that eating a wide variety of power foods is the best way to ensure optimum health. Try and eat the following foods every day, and you'll check just about every nutritional box. 

Take blueberries, for instance. In a study of common fruits and vegetables, blueberries contained more antioxidants than over 40 of their competitors. This places the unassuming berry at the top of the list for guarding against cancer, heart disease, dementia, and macular degeneration. 

Blueberries also defend against urinary tract infections, thanks to the antioxidant epicatechins. Epicatechins prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Blueberries are also high in water, providing hydration to the skin and cells of the body.

Eating half a cup of blueberries satisfies one fruit and vegetable serving per day.

7-Up Blueberry Pineapple Pudding

After making the 7-Up Pound Cake I was left with extra 7-Up Soda.  I'm not a cola drinker but hate to throw anything away so I found another use for 7-Up.  This is my recipe for

7-Up Blueberry Pineapple Pudding

1 pkg. Instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup 7-Up
1/2 cup blueberries
4 pineapple rings cut into small pieces and drained

Whisk together the pudding and 7-Up.  Stir in blueberries and pineapple chunks.  Spoon into serving dishes.  Top with cool whip and garnish with pineapple and blueberries.  Serves 4

This is another one that I'll be playing with using other soda/cola flavors.  With the 7-Up you actually taste the flavor of the drink which compliments the blueberries and pineapple.  You can always change the fruit, change the soda flavor, for diabetics use sugar free pudding mix and sugar free soda.  This is not just delicious it's also a pretty dish.