“You are what you eat”— the cliché saying has an abundance of truth. The fact is, for most ladies, at any age, eating right and knowing the right foods to consume is a constant battle. On one hand, you love to eat. It’s that simple. On the other hand, you want to feel and look great while you eat. Then, the question arises: Well, what do I eat?

From the television shows, to the millions of internet Web sites and health guru books the answer on what foods to eat is often ambiguous and confusing to figure out. The key is eating a well balanced meal by incorporating super foods.

So, what exactly are “super foods”?
Super foods are foods that provide maximum benefit in their unprocessed state and contain a wealth of nutrients to help the body to perform better overall and stay healthy. Moreover, super foods contain high amounts of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin C., and are what keeps a persons energy thriving, the body healthy and the mind active.

Coming up with a list of just five super foods was a hard task; however, the below list, of five essential super foods, are the key to living and eating well. The super foods are:

• Salmon
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Walnuts
• Beans

Salmon starts off the five super food lists due to its reputation and overall importance for its omega-3 fatty acids. Naturally, omega-3’s reduce one’s risk of heart disease and assist in stopping build-up of plaque in the heart arteries. According to the American Heart Association, people should eat two, 4-ounce servings of salmon per week. Think of salmon as a health tool for the heart.

When thinking of the super foods that are vegetables and fruits, think blueberries and broccoli.

Blueberries are great because they are high in antioxidants. Not only are blueberries a sweet fruit to enjoy as dessert with low calories, but a must in a woman’s daily diet; blueberries fight wrinkles and are an all-natural anti-aging/ nature produced Botox remedy for the skin. To benefit the highest effects of blueberries, eating a cup a day is the key.

As for broccoli, this vegetable is regarded as a super food because studies have showed that broccoli helps fight against breast cancer by reducing levels of excess estrogen in a women’s body. In addition, broccoli is wealth in the amounts of vitamin A and C.

Walnuts. Yes, walnuts are a secret super food that many people ignore the huge power and benefits that walnuts contain as a super food. Walnuts are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and omega-3’s. Just eating a small portion a day helps lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation in joints and the body and helps the body deal with the daily stresses of life. Similar to blueberries and salmon, Walnuts help fight heart disease and cancer and are also rich in omega-3’s.

Finally, beans are listed as a super food because they are rich and high in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and iron. A cup of beans daily provides some of what women need as a regular body intake. Beans are also great because they lower blood cholesterol.

An excellent tip in consuming the above five super foods is combining the all of the super foods as meals. For example, mix and match the super foods by eating salmon with broccoli and topping the meal off with blueberries as a low calorie dessert.

In addition, create a vegetarian bean chili or soup for the cold winter nights with walnuts as a great appetizer meal. A personal favorite combination of super foods is blueberries sprinkled with walnuts. These are just some of the endless combinations that are great to consume the five super foods.

So, it’s simple — in order to live well, eat well.

Understanding the how foods work with the body naturally allows the idea of eating whatever one wants a great thing. Thus, to reap the health rewards and all the natural benefits that nature provides remember to pack in your grocery cart, the next time you shop, the five super foods to add or combine to any daily meal.