Ladies Eating Tips For Health And Beauty

Laidie, what if you could eat foods that were tasty, nutritious and helped slow the aging process, reduce your risk of disease, and keep you fit what more could you want? The Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers its 10 top picks for healthy foods that will keep you young and fit!

• Apples: Apples are a good source of pectin, a fiber that can lower cholesterol and glucose levels.

• Almonds: These nuts are packed with nutrients — fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, calcium and vitamin E, a natural antioxidant.

• Broccoli: Besides providing calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients — compounds that may help prevent diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

• Blueberries: They are a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients.

• Red beans: Small red, pinto and dark red kidney varieties — are an excellent low-fat source of antioxidants, protein, dietary fiber and copper.

• Salmon: This fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to provide heart benefits. Salmon is also low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is a good source of protein. If possible, choose wild salmon, which is less likely to contain unwanted chemicals such as mercury.

• Spinach: It's high in vitamin A, and also is a good source of calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, riboflavin and vitamins B-6 and C. The plant compounds in spinach may boost your immune system and help prevent certain types of cancer.

• Sweet potatoes: The deep orange-yellow color of sweet potatoes tells you that they're high in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C and a good source of fiber, vitamin B-6 and potassium. And, they're fat-free and relatively low in calories.

• Vegetable juice: This beverage is an easy way to include vegetables in your diet since it contains most of the same vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Tomato juice, and vegetable juices which include tomatoes, are good sources of lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of heart attack and certain types of cancer. Be sure to select the low-sodium varieties

• Wheat germ: The germ at the center of the wheat seed is a concentrated source of nutrients. Two tablespoons provide a good source of thiamin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Sprinkle over cereals, yogurt and salads. Or use it in muffins, cookies and pancakes.