Top 9 Health Foods of 2012 ...

Parsley is one of those health foods that is typically used as a garnish, but it's actually one of the unique herbs that provide a ton of health benefits. Parsley contains all kinds of antioxidants and has been shown to actually inhibit tumor formation, which lowers your chances of getting cancer! Also, parsley tastes friggin' delicious!

I actually had no idea what chia seeds were before this post. They aren't something that I've ever eaten and I regret it! These little seeds are health foods that taste great and are all-natural energy uppers! These little seeds will lower your blood pressure, give you a ton of energy and can actually help keep your skin clear too! Just a sprinkle of these little seeds on your salad, in a sauce or even in a stew makes all of the difference.

If you like chocolate, this is one of the health foods for you! Raw cacao is actually the number one antioxidant food in the world! You can actually find raw cacao in powder form so that you can put it in all sorts of drinks or even make hot cocoa out of it.

Dark chocolate has been huge in recent years, with all of the studies that have been done on it, you know that it's totally a superfood. Did you know that dark chocolate only contains about 6 grams of sugar and about 80% of it is pure raw cacao? That's why it's so good for you and a healthy way to get your chocolate fix in!

A lot of people say that avocados are horrible for you and that they are all fat – which is true. They are a fatty fruit, but they are filled with good fat. These little super fruits also have about as much protein as meat, which is fantastic and a great alternative to a lot of meats!

Not only is asparagus an aphrodisiac food, but it is actually one of the healthy foods out there that has a ton of detoxifying properties inside of it. Asparagus is a constant side dish at my house, but I had no idea that it could help me fight off cancer too! So ladies, if you're looking for a sexy meal that'll get your man in the mood and that is healthy, this is one side dish you're going to want to have on your plate!

If you're looking for another super healthy food for 2012, you should look at beans. Beans actually contain all kinds of protein and can actually help you have the energy to work out and burn off the fat. Beans make a great side dish too – personally, I love hummus that is made from garbanzo beans!

Along the same lines as beans, peas are another superfood that is making a lot of appearances in 2012. Split pea soup is for sure one of my favorite soups and since it's cold out, why not make a batch and freeze it? These little green veggies can help you gain energy, ward off colon cancer and can actually help you digest better!

First off, I had no idea what Cruciferous veggies were – until I did my research. Cabbage, broccoli, bok choy – all of those are veggies that are from the Brassica family, which means that they are full of all kinds of nutrients and vitamins. That's why when you eat these veggies, you know you are eating something fantastic for you.

Finding the right health foods to change up your lifestyle this year is easy, if you know what you're looking for. These are all health foods that I'm going to try to incorporate into my diet this year, what about you? Are there any veggies or fruits that stick out that you like?

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