5 Ultra-Healing Foods A Functional RD Swears By

Instead, try to go back to basics with whole and natural foods. According to functional registered dietitian Michelle Shapiro, R.D., some items are so healing that you may just want to make them a staple in your diet. To come, the top five healing foods she previously shared on the mindbodygreen podcast. 

In fact, several studies suggest that diets rich in grass-fed animal sources elevate precursors for vitamins A and E1, as well as cancer fighting antioxidants, such as glutathione, compared to grain-fed. The review study also states that grass-fed beef tends to be lower in fat, a notable benefit for those looking to increase lean protein in their diets. 

Some examples of cruciferous veggies include:

This ingredient has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, but its many health benefits have also been studied in recent years. See, ghee contains a high amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)5. While there are more studies needed to confirm CLA’s role in metabolic health, some studies have shown that CLA can be helpful in reducing fat in animals6.

Next up, Shapiro praises a crowd-pleaser: sweet potatoes. There are many benefits that come with adding sweet potatoes to your plate, so we've highlighted just a few important ones to note: 

However, we should note that collagen supplements can give you a significantly higher dose, so opt for powders in addition to bone broth if the collagen content is your reason for ingesting—find our favorite collagen supplements here for reference. 

However, any whole and natural food is always a great addition to your daily plate. Perhaps just consider these your star players.