Fall Superfoods

The leaves are changing color, which means that despite the temperature it is officially Fall! Walking through the farmer’s market, you can see another sign – fall foods. Here are some of my favorite fall foods, which happen to pack a healthy punch:
Apples. I don’t care what anyone says, New York apples are the best. We’ve already gone picking and stocked up. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, apples can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Make sure you eat the skin – that’s where most of the antioxidants are found.
Pumpkin. There is no better Fall smell than a freshly baked pumpkin pie. And you can do so much momre with it. It is high in fiber and low in calories, but what makes this a superfood is the fact that pumpkin contains the highest bioavailable cartenoid content. Cartenoids have been found to help prevent a wide range of diseases – cancer, heart disease, and many more. It also provides anti-aging effects.
Sweet potatoes. Low in calories and high in fiber, sweet potatoes are also a great source of Vitamin A. They help boost your immunity, and also improve eye health. They are great baked, mashed, and can be made into fries (healthy when baked).
Squash. There are a number of Fall/Winter squashes – acorn, butternut, and others. Like pumpkins, they are all loaded with cartenoids.
Garlic. Providing more than just flavor to dishes, garlic is loaded with health benefits. Providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it has been found to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, and perhaps even reducing the risk of developing cancer and providing antibiotic effects (the last two are newer discoveries and not as well documented).