12 healthiest foods you’ve never heard of (1)

Amaranth: The grain-like seeds have a mild, nutty taste. It’s higher in fibre and protein than wheat and brown rice. It’s loaded with vitamins, and it’s been shown in studies to help lower blood pressure and harmful LDL cholesterol. Amaranth cooks up just like rice. Toss it with grilled vegetables as a bed for chicken or steak.

Pu-erh tea: A fermented Chinese tea with an earthy flavour, Pu-erh can literally shrink the size of your fat cells. The tea significantly lowers triglyceride concentrations (potentially dangerous fat found in the blood) and belly fat in the high-fat diet groups. It’s a natural fat-blaster, along with barberry, rooibos and white tea.

Fenugreek: This tangy, curry-scented herb is used in many tasty Indian dishes. It can help regulate blood sugar and lower your blood-sugar response after a meal, by delaying stomach emptying, which slows carbohydrate absorption and enhances insulin sensitivity. Find it in Indian stores. Mix a teaspoon of pure fenugreek powder into beef stew to kick up the flavour, or add whole seeds to a rice dish to create a Southeast Asian-style pilaf.

Goldenberries: These tangy, dark yellow berries contain protein and fibre. They’re also a great source of vitamin A and disease-fighting antioxidants. Snack on the dried berries alone like you would raisins, or toss a handful on a salad or your breakfast cereal.

Aronia berry: No fruit packs more anthocyanins, potent cancer-fighting antioxidants that lend the berry its deep purple colour. Because of this, aronia has been shown to fight cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, and even liver damage in rats. Blend some into a smoothie.

Celeriac: It is loaded with bone-building vitamin K, and it’s a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It goes well with other root vegetables in soups and stews or shred it raw into coleslaw. You can peel, boil, mash; it’ll add a hint of earthy sweetness, and for less carbs.