Eat Your Way to Good Health This Holiday Season
These classic foods have surprising health benefits.
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Chocolate - In many ways, your favorite holiday foods are better for you than you think. We’ve rounded up some popular dishes and ingredients that you can feel good about all season long. By Britt Middleton Packed with powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, cacao (the main ingredient of chocolate) can help fight inflammation, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Be sure to reach for dark chocolate because milky and semi-sweet varieties are loaded with cream, sugar and butter, which dilute the cacao’s benefits. (Photo: Godiva)
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Peppermint - Here are more reasons to crack into a candy cane this season: peppermint can help soothe everything from indigestion to nausea. Try sniffing a whiff of pure peppermint oil to help curb food cravings and even boost concentration. (Photo: Arata Photography/GettyImages)
Photo By Photo: Arata Photography/GettyImages
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Hot Apple Cider - Rich with pectin, which has been found to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, apples also pack a punch of disease-fighting antioxidants and vitamins. Since apple cider is made from the whole fruit, you’ll get the added health benefits not present in pasteurized apple juice. However, this sweet treat can be high in sugar, so be sure to check the ingredients. (Photo: GettyImages)
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Sweet Potatoes - These sweet spuds are an excellent source of calcium and immunity-boosting vitamin C and vitamin A. Try roasting them will olive oil to bring out their natural sweetness; you may find you enjoy them better without the added sugary toppings. (Photo: Liza McCorkle/GettyImages)
Photo By Photo: Liza McCorkle/GettyImages
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Cranberries - Tart and sweet, cranberries are a staple on the holiday table and a superfood in terms of their benefits. They’re rich in Vitamin C, vitamin E and phytonutrients, naturally occurring chemicals that fight free-radicals that cause inflammation and increased risk for cancer. (Photo: Brian Yarvin/GettyImages)
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