Kiwi

A study from Rutgers University compared 27 of the most popular fruits, determining that the kiwi is the most nutritionally dense of them all. One tangy-sweet kiwi supplies a full day’s dose of vitamin C, plus good amounts of potassium, a mineral linked with healthy blood pressure. Plus, kiwi contains more vitamin E, an antioxidant, and more lutein, a nutrient connected with protecting your vision, than almost every other fruit or vegetable—for only 50 calories. Enjoy a kiwi unadorned: simply cut it in half and scoop with a spoon.

Grapefruit

Now is the time to buy those sweet, tart and tangy, grapefruits that are in their prime! Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of fiber, potassium and folate. Grapefruits provide lycopene, an antioxidant associated with prostate health. Studies have shown that the soluble fiber in grapefruit may be beneficial in lowering cholesterol.

The clementine is the smallest of the mandarin oranges. Clementines are a tasty, nutritious snack. Eat two a day and you will get a day’s worth of vitamin C, for only 70 calories which makes the clementine a power food! They are easy to peel and great with lunch.

Not all fats are thesame. Some fats damage your body and promote disease while others can actually help prevent certain diseases. try toalways avoid unhealthy trans fat an limit saturated fats in your diet. You should include healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Healthy fats are essential for the:

While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly yogurt has a ton of benefits. Yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis. It also contains “good bacteria” that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness. Choose low-fat plain yogurt to avoid the added sugar in flavored yogurt.

new study by Consumer Reports finds there are a surprising number of foods that contain excess sodium. The hidden salt in these unexpected sources — unexpected because the foods don’t taste salty — contribute to health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

After reviewing 37 supermarket staples, Consumer Reports found large quantities of sodium in foods one wouldn’t necessarily suspect, such as Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, 350 milligrams of sodium per cup; Prego Heart Smart traditional Italian sauce, 430 mg per cup; and Pepperidge Farm whole grain white bagels, 440 mg of sodium each.

Many Americans are failing to meet the minimum recommendations for exercise, although confusing guidelines are making it difficult to assess, researchers reported on Thursday.Depending on which federal exercise recommendations are used, either about half or about two-thirds of Americans meet minimum goals, the team at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

Just under 65 percent of adults reached that goal, the CDC said.The government’s Healthy People 2010 objectives call for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days per week. Only 49 percent of those surveyed met these goals.

Senior citizens are at high risk for depression for a variety of reasons. Loss of health, loss of friends, loss of purpose. But there are things that can be done to sharply reduce that risk. “Seniors have got to stay engaged in the world,” says Dr. Michael C. Miller, psychiatrist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter. “I’m a great believer in staying active,” he says. “People who do best are the ones who keep themselves going. Community organizations, church or synagogue groups, a sport, volunteer activities, political activities. It can be almost anything.”