Why Laughing Makes You Thin
Laughing for 15 minutes a day can help you purge pounds.
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Broccoli: Loaded with vitamins C and K, fiber, beta-carotene and antioxidants that boost the immune system against disease.
Beans: All varieties are good, including string, navy and lima beans as well as garbanzos, lentils and peas. They're high in low-fat protein, B vitamins, iron, folic acid, potassium and magnesium. They have as much fiber to lower your cholesterol as oats.
Nuts: All kinds contain monounsaturated fat, which has a favorable effect on high cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart disease. A handful of nuts raw or dry-roasted, and unsalted each day supplies needed antioxidants, vitamins and fiber and is believed to help ward off everything from Alzheimer's and asthma to diabetes and cancer. Beware: They're high in calories, so keep your serving to about 1.5 ounces.
Oranges: One of the best sources of vitamin C, which fights colds as well as everything from heart disease and cancer, to asthma, arthritis, diabetes, macular degeneration and birth defects. Citrus fruits also give you folic acid and fiber.
Skinless turkey breast: The leanest source of meat protein, turkey breast also supplies vitamins B and B-12, as well as niacin, riboflavin and other nutrients. Try ground turkey in grilled turkey burgers.
Soy: Soybeans and tofu are an excellent source of nonmeat protein, providing vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and fiber. Soy has isoflavones that help promote healthy hearts, ward off osteoporosis, and control sugar and cholesterol levels.
Spinach: Served raw or freshly cooked, this is a truly "visionary" vegetable that helps prevent eye ailments such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. It also fights cancer and heart disease. Popeye was right: Spinach packs the most nutrients per calorie, including vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.
Tomatoes: This popular superfood has plenty of vitamin C and, even more important, lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that lowers the risk for prostate, breast, bladder, lung and other cancers and enhances eye and skin health. Low-sodium tomato juice reduces the risk of blood clots. Even organic tomato ketchup is good for you.
Wild salmon: Provides ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, the polyunsaturated fish oils that promote blood flow and greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and arrhythmias, stroke and high blood pressure.
Tea: Green or black is brimming in antioxidants to boost the immune system.
On the cusp of superfood status: Avocados have healthy monounsaturated fats and help the body absorb nutrients. Onions have antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. The goji berry is a red fruit that some say is the most nutritionally rich fruit on the planet. Kiwis have vitamin C and a lot of potassium.
