Research shows that some foods, including tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil, are “superfoods” because they contain chemicals that protect your body against chronic diseases like cancer, obesity, and heart disease.

Natalie Ledesma is a dietician at the University of California, San Francisco.  She explains that superfoods contain compounds called phytochemicals, which can reduce the risk of cancer, boost the immune system, and protect the heart.  She recommends the following list of foods people should eat every week in order to stay healthy:

• Dark green herbs like rosemary and thyme
• Colorful spices like turmeric and red paper
• Hot peppers
• Cruciferous vegetables, which include brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits
• Cantaloupes, mangos, and carrots
• Berries
• Fatty fish or flaxseed
• Olive oil
• Soy
• Onions, garlic, and shallots

Follow-up Notes

• North Beach is a neighborhood in San Francisco known for its restaurants.
• The University of California in San Francisco is a famous medical school.

For more information, see the websites below:

• Food and Nutrition Information Center
• United States Department of Agriculture food guide pyramid for adults and young children
• The New Superfoods: Newsweek article
• Superfoods' Everyone Needs: Experts say more than a dozen easy-to-find 'superfoods' can do wonders for your health (WebMD article)
• Superfoods Diet from The Sunday Telegraph Sydney, AU
• Super foods! Can fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables make a big difference to our wellbeing? article on telegraph.co.uk