Superfoods will take you an extra mile on the nutritional graph. Well, some also purported to fight the evil villains of heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer and a host of other diseases. Here is a list of foods that will transform you…

Shonal Sabherwal, macrobiotic Counsellor, recommends:

Dark chocolate

Improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, decreases the risk of blood clots, and increases blood flow to the brain. Improves serotonin and endorphin levels which improves moods.
Fermented foods

Foods like sauerkraut, quick pickles and miso are rich in digestive enzymes that breakdown your food and provide better assimilation. Providing good probiotics, it’s a natural cleanser for the digestive and bad yeasts.

Flax & chia seeds

These seeds are abundant in Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids and in a perfect balance too. They are packed with calcium, phosphorus, manganese, dietary fibre proteins, complex carbohydrates, various vitamins and minerals, and are very high in antioxidants. It helps to lubricate bowel functions, enhances skin tone and improves immunity.

Naini Setalvad, nutritionist, recommends:

Pistachios

Pistas are known as the skinny nut since compared to others nuts, they are the lowest in calories. At three calories per pistas, they form a great low calorie snack since you can eat upto about 30 of them without feeling guilty. Pistas are also high in nutrients like copper, phosphorous, protein, potassium,magnesium and vitamin B6. They also contain a healthy dose of essential fatty acids which are necessary for practically several body functions.

They are rich in fibre and eating them in between meals not only helps your waist line but your cholesterol levels too. Being high in anti-oxidants, pistas have been found to help reduce oxidative
damage that leads to cancer and heart disease.

Prunes

Prunes are one of the best cures for constipation. That’s because they have a lot of fibre and also contain nutrients which make them natural stool softeners. So a few prunes a day and your digestive system will be cleansed daily without fail. Besides, prunes are high in potassium and iron which helps prevent blood pressure and anemia. The potassium levels also help lower blood pressure.
Prunes have also been found to slow the aging process, improve blood circulation, help increase energy (that’s because they are an excellent source of natural sugar), help prevent and cure sore throats and even prevent cancers. Prunes have zero fat and are relatively low in calories. They are a portable, ready to eat snack.

Paul Britto, celebrity fitness trainer, recommends:

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a source of many nutrients and phytochemicals that add to a healthy diet. It has a very low glycemic index which makes the fruit help the body’s metabolism and burn excess fat. It helps in controlling cholesterol and possesses antioxidant properties. Some studies have proven its remedial properties for cancer. It is a good source of vitamin C. If you eat grapefruit, you will feel satiated and also there are low chances of gaining weight.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are considered to be a healthy component of one’s diet. Theycontain good amounts of water, and are considered to be low in calories, sodium and fat content, making them very beneficial to people who want to reduce weight. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium as well and have a very low glycemic index.

Ginger/pepper

These spices are common in every household but also help us to be healthy. They boost metabolism, and help in burning calorie. You can also call them natural fat burner. Pepper has a great stimulating effect on the nervous system. Ginger helps in skin nourishment too.

Leafy greens

One must stock up on leafy greens, ranging from spinach to coriander to dill and lettuce. These contain vitamins A, C and K. Mustard leaves as well as mustard seeds are known to be heat-producing. They also contain antioxidants, keep the blood clean and therefore help the skin as well. Leafy greens are a great source of iron, calcium and are even a vegetable-based source of protein. Greens are best steamed, else they lose their supply of calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. They are beneficial for illnesses like diabetes, asthma and respiratory infections.