The 10 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

The 10 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

Want to do your body a world of
good? It's as easy as expanding your grocery list

Although some guys aren't opposed to smoking some weed, most wouldn't think
of eating one. It's a shame, really, since a succulent weed named purslane is
not only delicious but also among the world's healthiest foods.

Of course, there are many superfoods that never see the inside of a shopping
cart. Some you've never heard of, and others you've simply forgotten about.
That's why we've rounded up the best of the bunch. Make a place for them on your
table and you'll instantly upgrade your health -- without a prescription.

1. Beets

These grungy-looking roots are naturally sweeter than any other vegetable,
which means they pack tons of flavor underneath their rugged exterior.

Why they're healthy: Think of beets as red spinach. Just like Popeye's
powerfood, this crimson vegetable is one of the best sources of both folate and
betaine. These two nutrients work together to lower your blood levels of
homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and
increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, the natural pigments -- called
betacyanins -- that give beets their color have been proved to be potent cancer
fighters in laboratory mice.

How to eat them: Fresh and raw, not from a jar. Heating beets actually
decreases their antioxidant power. For a simple single-serving salad, wash and
peel one beet, and then grate it on the widest blade of a box grater. Toss with
1 tablespoon of olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.

You can eat the leaves and stems, which are also packed with vitamins,
minerals, and antioxidants. Simply cut off the stems just below the point where
the leaves start, and wash thoroughly. They're now ready to be used in a salad.
Or, for a side dish, sauté the leaves, along with a minced clove of garlic and a
tablespoon of olive oil, in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the
leaves are wilted and the stems are tender. Season with salt and pepper and a
squeeze of lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese.