Ever wonder which healthy foods are better than others? Which ones are the nutritional superstars?

I recommend the article provided below that was published in Runners World magazine in 2010.  The author compares similar foods, highlighting which ones are the better choice.   Because it’s a running magazine it suggests that these are better for runners, but the fact is that regardless of whether you run, hike or power walk,  everyone benefits the same way from these foods.  Enjoy the article!

FOOD FIGHT!

In a battle of nutritional superstars, which options offer a healthier edge?

By Matthew G. Kadey, M.Sc., R.D. – PUBLISHED 08/04/2010

As a health-savvy runner, you try to toss nutrient-packed foods into your grocery cart. But when you’re deciding between similar-seeming nutritious items (say, turkey or chicken?), you may not know the superior choice. “Food is your fuel,” says Mitzi Dulan, R.D., co-author of The All-Pro Diet. “Selecting the most nutritious options will improve your diet and give you a competitive edge.” While you can’t go wrong eating both quinoa and brown rice, choosing the nutritional champ may give your running the boost it needs. In a healthy-food smackdown, here are our winning picks.

STRAWBERRIES *VS* BLUEBERRIES
Both are health all-stars, but a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that blueberries (particularly wild ones) showed the most antioxidant activity of all the fruits tested. “These antioxidants help keep your immune system strong,” says Dulan, “and reduce muscle-tissue damage from exercise.”

HEALTHY CHOICE: Mix blueberries into lean ground beef for burgers. The juicy fruit will help keep the meat moist.   Read more..