Should I Be Eating… ?

food-index-165Choose from hundreds of foods, from almonds to zucchini, and find out their effects on your health.

Find out the hidden health benefits in your favorite foods. Browse the index from A to Z and discover the powerful nutrients, vitamins, and minerals each food contains — plus the medical conditions and concerns these foods can help treat.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W Y Z
  • Radicchio
    Radicchio is a leafy vegetable with a bitter taste. It is often added to salads or braised like cabbage for a side dish. It is a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. Radicchio also contains vitamin E and lutein, antioxidants that help maintain healthy eyes and skin.
    Read more about leafy green vegetables
  • Rainbow Trout
    Rainbow trout contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and may help to lower high blood pressure and raise good cholesterol. Omega-3s may even reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Trout is a good source of vitamin B12, which together with vitamin B6 and folate may help reduce heart disease by lowering levels of homocysteine in the blood. Vitamin B12 also plays a role in reducing memory decline and improving mood.
    Read more about omega-3 fatty acids
  • Raisins
    Raisins (dried grapes) are a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in lowering blood pressure and risk of osteoporosis. If you have type 2 diabetes or are trying to lose weight, it is best to limit your intake of raisins and other dried fruit because of the higher sugar and calorie concentration compared with that of fresh fruit. If you suffer from migraines be aware that raisins may contain added sulfites, a possible migraine trigger.
    Read more about fruits
  • Raspberries
    Raspberries are composed of more than 85 percent water along with a hefty dose of fiber, which makes them a great fruit to eat if you’re trying to lose weight, lower cholesterol, or manage type 2 diabetes. They are also full of potent antioxidants, including vitamin C and anthocyanins, which can help with arthritis, age-related memory loss, cataracts and other eyesight problems, and maintaining healthy skin and hair.
    Read more about berries
  • Red Wine
    By no means is this an endorsement to start imbibing if you don’t drink — however, moderate amounts of red wine may be beneficial if you have heart disease because it contains alcohol and antioxidants that provide a heart-healthy boost. (Big caveat: If you have high triglycerides or gout, alcohol in general is contraindicated and should be a rare treat.) You may need to avoid or limit red wine if you suffer from migraines, experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or have type 2 Diabetes. A five-ounce glass of wine (about 120 calories) is considered one drink.
    Read more about alcohol
  • Rhubarb
    Rhubarb is a vegetable with a reddish-pink stalk and large green leaves. The leaves are toxic and the stalks are tough to eat raw and have a very tart flavor; however, the stalks are commonly cooked with sugar or other sweeteners to make sauces, jams, chutneys, or pie filling (so limit these foods if you’re trying to lose weightor have diabetes). Rhubarb is a good source of anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory antioxidants that may help prevent arthritis and memory loss. It also contains a lot of water, which adds volume without calories and keeps skin and other organs hydrated.
    Read more about vegetables
  • Rice Cake
    Rice cakes are made from rice, a gluten-free grain that’s safe for individuals with celiac disease. Because the rice is puffed up with air, rice cakes are a high-volume, low-calorie snack option that’s ideal for individuals trying to lose or manage their weight. Top plain rice cakes with low-fat cottage cheese, a slice of reduced-fat cheese, tomato slices, or nut butter to turn them into a more substantial snack, or use rice cakes as the base for a sandwich at lunch.
    Read more about whole grains
  • Rice Milk
    Rice milk is made from partially milled rice mixed with water. Rice milk is a good substitute for cow’s milk and soy milk if you are lactose intolerant, allergic to cow’s milk or soy milk, eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, or find that dairy and/or soy are a trigger for IBS. Look for a brand that is fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
    Read more about dairy
  • Ricotta Cheese
    Ricotta cheese is a soft cheese and a good source of calcium and protein. Ricotta cheese can be part of a healthy diet if you choose reduced-fat ("part-skim") or fat-free varieties. (Full-fat ricotta contains extra calories and saturated fat, which can increase cholesterol levels and contribute to weight gain if eaten in excess.) Ricotta is also a good source of selenium, an antioxidant that can help prevent arthritis. IBS sufferers take note: Some people with IBS are sensitive to dairy and experience discomfort after eating it.
    Read more about cheese
  • Romano Cheese
    Romano cheese is a hard cheese with a sharp, salty flavor, similar to Parmesan cheese. Because of its intense flavor, a little bit of Romano can go a long way, making it easier to eat in moderation. If you get migraine headaches, it’s important to know that aged cheeses like Romano are a common trigger. (Note: Since most cheeses are high in sodium, people with high blood pressure should eat only moderate amounts and factor the sodium content into their daily totals.) IBS sufferers take note: Some people with IBS are sensitive to dairy and experience discomfort after eating it.
    Read more about cheese
  • Rosemary
    Rosemary is a fragrant herb with needle-like leaves, commonly used in Mediterranean cooking. It can be found fresh and dried, and like other herbs, it is a great way to add flavor to your food without adding sodium, calories, and fat.
    Read more about herbs and spices
  • Rum
    Rum is a hard alcohol that is often combined with other beverages and liquors to make mixed drinks. Drinking rum and other alcoholic beverages can pack on the pounds (especially when combined with soda or other high-calorie, sugary mixers), increase already high triglycerides, and interfere with sleep. It is best to limit rum and other alcoholic beverages, especially if you are trying to lose weight, have type 2 diabetes or gout, or experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That said, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and boost HDL (good) cholesterol. If...
    Read more about alcohol
  • Rutabaga
    Rutabaga, also known as yellow turnip, is a root vegetable with a slightly sweeter flavor than a turnip. Rutabagas are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that may help prevent and manage arthritis and macular degeneration, as well as help maintain healthy hair and skin. Rutabagas also contain some antioxidants that may aid in improving memory.
    Read more about vegetables