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Vow to eat more ... of these foods

These foods are touted to fight cancer, reduce cholesterol and prevent strokes.

By JANET K. KEELER
Published January 4, 2006

	Apricots
	Green tea
	Spices and herbs
	Mushrooms
	Dark chocolate

Don't start the new year on a negative note by focusing on what you can't eat until the holiday pounds are gone. Embrace what you know you should eat.

No surprise, the good list is loaded with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein that will fill you up, not out. Feeling satisfied is important as you go through cookie, eggnog and candy cane withdrawal.

These foods are touted to fight cancer, reduce cholesterol and prevent strokes. They may even make your coat shine.

Meet your new best buddies for 2006.

Mushrooms

Add these to sandwiches, soups and eggs whenever you can to boost your immune system.

Onions

They can lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and relieve congestion.

Kiwi

The natural enzymes combat lots of ailments, including autoimmune diseases, allergies and cancer.

Steamed clams

Get yourself a dozen steamers and add a healthy dose of iron to your diet.

Apricots

With 600 different carotenoids, apricots offer a wealth of benefits including protecting eyes and preventing heart diseases. Some research shows they can help smokers give up cigarettes.

Tofu

Soy products are widely touted but one interesting theory is that menopausal women may benefit from soy as a supplement to estrogen replacement.

Pineapple

With plenty of manganese, this tropical fruit keeps bones strong, improves digestion and relieves cold symptoms.

Cereal

Reach for whole grain with plenty of fiber to keep your colon healthy.

Corn

A fresh ear is loaded with thiamin, a B vitamin necessary to convert food to energy.

Sweet peppers

A good source of cancer-fighting antioxidants and other properties thought to stave off cataracts. Don't cook them to mush or you'll render them nearly powerless.

Garlic

Sure, pungent garlic wards off vampires but it can do battle with cholesterol and blood pressure, too. Some research shows garlic may contain chemicals that kill cancer cells.

Green tea

Drink a warm, comforting cup of polyphenois, which may reduce heart disease, cancer and stroke risk.

Extra-virgin olive oil

A heart-healthy fat that has anti-inflammatory capabilities.

Spices and herbs

Add flavor without calories, plus cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Dark chocolate

Contains flavanols that help boost the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow.

-- Sources: "New Foods for Healing" by Selene Yeager and the editors of "Prevention" magazine Bantam Books, 2003; "Power Food" by Janette Marshall (Lyons Press, 2003); "Newsweek"; and www.healthchecksystems.com

[Last modified January 3, 2006, 16:06:29]