By Vaughn Gray

1. Berries

Berries are one of the healthiest things you can eat, and far and away the healthiest fruits. Low in sugar, rich in nutrients and fiber, and packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients, berries are good for just about every system in your body. Blueberries are the best in terms of antioxidant content, but be sure to work blackberries, raspberries and strawberries into your diet as well.

2. Organic Yogurt

Organic foods can be expensive and hard to find, so, for many of us, it makes sense to limit our organic purchases to select foods. Dairy is probably the most important food to get from an organic source. Non-organic dairy products are literally teeming with hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals that damage health. Organic dairy products can be wonderfully nutritious. Yogurt is the best form of dairy. Full of healthy bacteria that support digestion and immune function, yogurt also delivers a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Along these lines, it’s best to choose reduced fat, or even full fat yogurt, rather than non-fat varieties. Non-fat yogurts are nutritionally imbalanced, and less likely to leave you energized and satisfied. Choose grass fed organic yogurt if you can find it, and add berries to plain yogurt, or try sweetening with KAL stevia (an all natural herbal sweetener with no calories), agave nectar, or raw honey.

3. Alaskan Salmon

Rich in omega 3 fat and high quality protein, and low in mercury and other toxins, Alaskan Salmon is just about the best fish you can eat. Farming salmon is illegal in Alaska, so any salmon marked as Alaskan is free caught. Atlantic salmon is all farm raised and should be avoided like the plague. Farm raised salmon is full of toxins, and has very little omega 3 fat. Salmon raised on farms are so unhealthy that their flesh isn’t even pink. It has to be dyed pink to be sold at market. Next time you see Atlantic salmon at the store, look at the ingredients. You’ll probably see “Natural Coloring” listed near the end. This is a euphemism for food dye, without which the fish would be dull gray. Alaskan Sockeye is the best salmon you can buy. 

4. Olive Oil

Healthy fats are absolutely critical to a healthy diet, and olive oil is the healthiest fat around. It lowers bad cholesterol, increases good cholesterol, and supports a healthy metabolism, actually helping your body to  burn body fat. In addition, olive oil is bursting with antioxidants, and is great for your digestion, heart health, and your skin. Add a tablespoon or two to salads, steamed veggies, and beans or brown rice, or pour over sprouted grain bread.

5. Raw Almonds

Almonds are, generally speaking, the healthiest nut. The fat in almonds is similar to olive oil, and wonderful for your body. Almonds are rich in calcium and deliver a fair bit of protein. As with almost all foods, consume almonds in moderation. Eating too many almonds can disrupt digestion since they contain a chemical that inhibits the digestive enzyme trypsin.