Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Trying to maximize your intake of disease-fighting antioxidants? Dr. Arthur Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet and The South Beach Diet Heart Program, encourages you to get your antioxidants from deliciouswhole foods. "I always emphasize whole foods over supplements, since most supplements haven't been proven to fight disease. Whole foods contain many health benefits that can't be isolated in pills," he explains.

Antioxidants are naturally occurring nutrients that help prevent heart disease and cancer and slow the effects of aging (i.e., they can't prevent aging). Scientists believe that some antioxidants are more potent than others and that the potency of antioxidants can be affected by how they're cooked and how they're digested. For example, the antioxidants in blueberries lose their potency when cooked, while the antioxidants in tomatoes become more potent when cooked.

So even though the list below is a good guide to finding antioxidant-rich foods, it's best to hedge your nutritional bets by eating a wide variety of items. (Note that while all of the foods listed are acceptable on the South Beach Diet®, fruits should be introduced in Phase 2.)

The following 20 foods are loaded with antioxidants:

1. Pomegranates
2. Green peppers
3. Kale
4. Red kidney beans
5. Pinto beans
6. Blueberries
7. Cranberries
8. Artichokes (cooked)
9. Blackberries
10. Garlic
11. Raspberries
12. Strawberries
13. Apples
14. Spinach
15. Pecans
16. Sweet cherries
17. Brussels sprouts
18. Yellow squash
19. Black beans (dried)
20. Plums