Michelle Schoffro Cook

When it comes to food, it’s hard to beat the holiday season.  There are as many decadent and delicious foods throughout the season as there are gifts.  Let’s face it:  few holiday foods are healthy.  Here are my choices for the top 7 ‘Tis the Season Superfoods.  They not only taste great, they add serious nutrition as well.

Apples—We’ve all heard the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and provided that apple is an organic one, the saying holds some truth. Apples contain important vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. They contain an important phytonutrient called malic acid that helps improve energy production in your body.

Beets—Recommended by holistic health professionals to help purify the blood and cleanse the liver, beets are high in folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. The phytonutrient that gives beets their rich purplish-red hue is a potent cancer fighter.

Cranberries—Originally used by the First People of North America to treat urinary tract infections, cranberries and cranberry juice (the real deal, not the sugar-laden stuff most grocery stores dispense) are excellent holiday superfoods.

Pomegranates—This delicious fruit is super health-boosting.  From cancer-protection to heart disease-prevention, and so much more, pomegranates are definitely ‘Tis the Season Superfoods. Be sure to check out my article “13 Reasons to Love Pomegranates.”

Squash—Like its relative, the pumpkin, squash is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fibre, and beta carotene, making it a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet.

Sweet Potatoes—High in beta carotene, C, and B6, as well as potassium, iron, and magnesium, sweet potatoes are naturally delicious and nutritionally superior to white potatoes.

Walnuts—Walnuts are an important addition to your diet since they offer high amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids needed to protect your brain, maintain a healthy immune system, balance moods, and lessen pain and inflammation in your body.

Subscribe to my free e-magazine World’s Healthiest News to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more. Follow me on Twitter @mschoffrocook and Facebook.  Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD.