10 Best Foods
(According to Science In The Public Interest)
1. WATERMELON
They actually put sweet potato first...but come on.
Sweet potato?
Watermelon.
1/3rd daily requirement of vitamins A and C, along with potassium and lycopene, for only 80 calories from two measly cups.
2. Sweet Potato
This is their "nutritional all-star", "one of the best vegetables you can eat".
Full of carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
They suggest.you "bake and then mix in some unsweetened applesauce or crushed pineapple for extra moisture and sweetness. "
Notice watermelon didn't need any advice to make it more palatable.
3. Mango
In one cup you get all the C and 1/3rd the A you need every day, plus potassium and fiber.
They helpfully mention it is likely to have very little pesticide residue.
I learned to prepare mango from Hecule Poirot.
4. Unsweetened Greek Yogurt
They go on about "a pleasant tartness that’s a perfect foil for the natural sweetness of" blah, blah.
Their important bit is the protein. 17 grams per six ounces.
They leave out the EVEN MORE IMPORTANT bit about beneficial bacteria.
I've blogged on and on about that topic.
Unlike the mango, the berries up there (while nutritionally wonderful) are likely plenty heavy with pesticide residue.
5. Broccoli
Dubya's least favorite food, wasn't it? Or was that Bush the Elders least fave?
Loads of vitamin C, carotenoids, folic acid, and vitamin K.
K is getting a lot of press lately.
The yogurt we just had? Providing the good bacteria we need to live?
They make vitamin K for us in our gut.
The CSPI folks give one line of cooking/serving tips.
Everyone knows broccoli won't sell itself. (See sweet potato above)
6. Wild Salmon
Just look at the color of that salmon.
They only mention fatty acids.
How about protein and iron?
At least they didn't freak out over the rather high cholesterol content.
They also mention wild caught has a lower pcb burden.
Could have mentioned many other troubles with farmed salmon.
If you eat it farmed, try this link.
7. Crispbreads
They say "loaded with fiber and often fat free".
That's really all they gots.
Why down on fat, anyway?
No fat is a disaster.
They did trumpet salmon fat, after all.
Once again, the likelihood of pesticide residue is high. On the grapes.
8. Garbonzo Beans
Seriously?
A world of food and they go with garbonzo beans?
They provide protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
So there's that.
And I do love hummus.
And they do say "all beans are good beans", which is fine.
But remember: "Top 10 Best Foods"
Inexplicable.
9. Butternut Squash
Now I know they're messing with us.
They tout vitamins A, C, and fiber. All to the good. Tons of vitamin A.
But they act like it's a convenience item.
"Steam a sliced squash or buy peeled, diced butternut squash at the supermarket that’s ready to go into the oven, a stir-fry, or a soup."
10. Leafy greens
How on God's green earth does God's green greens get the rear position?
Down the list from squash and crispbreads?
They say "don’t miss out on powerhouse greens like kale, collards, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard.... jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, lutein, and fiber."
Got it.
Now look back over the list.
Greens vs. garbonzos?
The greens are the superstars.
Go green!
Sorry watermelon.
