The World's Healthiest Foods

FAQs about the World's Healthiest Foods

Criteria for The World's Healthiest Foods

Among the thousands of different foods our world provides, the majority contain at least several of the nutrients our bodies need but to be included as one of the World's Healthiest Foods they had to meet the criteria listed below.

The criteria we used will also help you understand why some of your favorite (and also nutritious) foods may not be included on our list. For example, Readers have asked why pomegranate, a very nutritious food, is not included on our website. While pomegranates taste great and are rich in vitamins and flavonoid phytonutrients, they are still rather expensive which makes them not as widely available to many people.

1. The World's Healthiest Foods are the Most Nutrient Dense

The World's Healthiest Foods have been selected because they are among the richest sources of many of the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. We used a concept called nutrient density to determine which foods have the highest nutritional value.

Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of nutrients a food contains in comparison to the number of calories. A food is more nutrient dense when the level of nutrients is high in relationship to the number of calories the food contains. By eating the World's Healthiest Foods, you'll get all the essential nutrients that you need for excellent health, including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, fiber and more for the least number of calories. Read more about Our Food and Recipe Rating System.

2. The World's Healthiest Foods are Whole Foods

The World's Healthiest Foods are also whole foods complete with all their rich natural endowment of nutrients. They have not been highly processed nor do they contain synthetic, artificial or irradiated ingredients. And whenever possible, The Healthier Way of Eating recommends purchasing "Organically Grown" foods, since they not only promote your health, but also the health of our planet.

3. The World's Healthiest Foods are Familiar Foods

The World's Healthiest Foods are common "everyday" foods. These include the fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats, fish, olive oil, herbs and spices that are familiar to most people.

4. The World's Healthiest Foods are Readily Available

Although there are many foods that are exceptionally nutritious, many of them are not readily available in different areas of the country. The World's Healthiest Foods are foods that the majority people can easily find at their local market.

5. The World's Healthiest Foods are Affordable

We have selected foods that are not only familiar and available, but also affordable, especially if you purchase them locally and in season. This is also the time when they are the freshest and of the best quality.

6. The World's Healthiest Foods Taste Good

The World's Healthiest Foods are also some of the world's best tasting foods. We have created recipes using the World's Healthiest Foods that do not overpower, but enhance, the unique flavor of each food. Each recipe provides a flavor adventure so you can discover new ways to experience and enjoy the great natural tastes of these foods.

Vegetables

* Asparagus
* Avocados
* Beets
* Bell peppers
* Broccoli
* Brussels sprouts
* Cabbage
* Carrots
* Cauliflower
* Celery
* Collard greens
* Cucumbers
* Eggplant
* Fennel
* Garlic
* Green beans
* Green peas
* Kale
* Leeks
* Mushrooms, crimini
* Mushrooms, shiitake
* Mustard greens
* Olives
* Onions
* Potatoes
* Romaine lettuce
* Sea vegetables
* Spinach
* Squash, summer
* Squash, winter
* Sweet potatoes
* Swiss chard
* Tomatoes
* Turnip greens
* Yams

Fish & Seafood

* Cod
* Halibut
* Salmon
* Scallops
* Shrimp
* Tuna

Fruits

* Apples
* Apricots
* Bananas
* Blueberries
* Cantaloupe
* Cranberries
* Figs
* Grapefruit
* Grapes
* Kiwifruit
* Lemon/Limes
* Oranges
* Papaya
* Pears
* Pineapple
* Plums
* Prunes
* Raisins
* Raspberries
* Strawberries
* Watermelon

Low-Fat Dairy

* Cheese, low-fat
* Eggs
* Milk, 2%, cow's
* Milk, goat
* Yogurt

Beans & Legumes

* Black beans
* Dried peas
* Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
* Kidney beans
* Lentils
* Lima beans
* Miso
* Navy beans
* Pinto beans
* Soybeans
* Tempeh
* Tofu

Poultry & Lean Meats

* Beef, lean organic
* Calf's liver
* Chicken
* Lamb
* Turkey
* Venison

Nuts & Seeds

* Almonds
* Cashews
* Flaxseeds
* Olive oil, extra virgin
* Peanuts
* Pumpkin seeds
* Sesame seeds
* Sunflower seeds
* Walnuts

Grains

* Barley
* Brown rice
* Buckwheat
* Corn
* Millet
* Oats
* Quinoa
* Rye
* Spelt
* Whole wheat

Spices & Herbs

* Basil
* Black pepper
* Cayenne pepper
* Chili pepper, dried
* Cilantro/Coriander seeds
* Cinnamon, ground
* Cloves
* Cumin seeds
* Dill
* Ginger
* Mustard seeds
* Oregano
* Parsley
* Peppermint
* Rosemary
* Sage
* Thyme
* Turmeric

Natural Sweeteners

* Blackstrap molasses
* Cane juice
* Honey
* Maple syrup

Other

* Green tea
* Soy sauce (tamari)
* Water

For Filipinos,


Greent tea is just like water to them but the brand is C2.

Nah, . .

i drink hot tea, . . everyday every after eating . . .

japanese blooded. . .ehehe

Ohhh, Tha's why?

what do u mean by thats why?

That's why you drink tea.


DO you like commercialized tea?

Not into the cold drinks really . . .

^^,

Well if you can just taste a noodles made from veggies.

hmmm

veggie noodle

oh

I like the veggie burger we made

the burger patty made of banana peelings and the bread made of okra, lol

Banana peelings and Okra?

that sucks! . .

heheh!

but i like eating veggies . .

hehe

it tastes... nevermind

Can I have some.

LOL . .

banana peelings made to be crackers tastes good ..

but with okra in it? . .

dude . .

I eat about 97% of all the foods that caesar posted. I have been eating them since i was really young..

i hate eating raisins..i don't know why

Errr . . .

i eat the ones my mom cooks . .

everything . .

harhar!

@Tutpikz: Yeah, me too

Heh, i just read an article in the news the other day that said an egg a day can lead to an early death for middle aged men.

See similar article here

…

i know that the a person should not exceed eating 3 eggs a week because it will lead to some kind of cancer

eww
only yucky foods there o.0 lolol
Maccas anyone?
Don't like eggs so thats good I suppose

Whats maccas? . .

errr? . .

i drink egg yolks before exercising . .

@Bish: Maccas = McDonald's

Egg yolks before exercising... oh god *barf*



There are better alternatives though...

…

energy drinks are better

LOLx. . .

they are not better . .

energy drinks give little compared to egg yolks . . harhar . . .

not that tasty though . .

Eat good... live bad longer... hehehehe...

LOL . .

i don't want to live soooo long! . . .

argh!

what if you have an elixir of INVULNERABILITY . .

and you wouldn't die . .

would you drink??