Top 15 Weird Foods To Eat To Stay Beautiful

Top Weird Healthy Foods. Photo: KnowInsiders

Human beings value beauty and our fruits and vegetables are no exception. But here’s the thing: So-called ‘ugly’ foods—the ones with superficial scars, bumps, and discolorations—are no less nutritious than their stock-photo-quality counterparts. In fact, some of the most unappetizing-looking produce, proteins, and whole grains yield some of the most potent nutritional profiles. No doubt we're living in a time of innovative and unusual food choices. But what are some of the most unique and healthiest foods for you every day? Read on to know!

List of 15 Bizarre Foods Help You Healthy

1. Gummy Worms

2. Horseradish

3. Artichoke hearts

4. Amaranth

5. Liver

6. Bone Broth

7. Soy tempeh

8. Flaxseeds

9. Black rice

10. Heirloom tomatoes

11. Canned pumpkin

12. Beet Juice

13. Celeriac root

14. Tart Cherry Juice

15. Charcoal Powder

1. Gummy Worms

Photo: nutstop

Bet you never thought a nurse would recommend gummy worms to improve your belly ache, joint pain, allergies, food sensitivities, and even acne! It's actually the gelatin in 'em that makes this a powerhouse snack with tons of health and beauty benefits, according to Cindy Shiff, nurse and founder of GreenPaxx gelatin.

To be clear, these aren't the toxic Yellow No. 666 sugar-death worms. The health food version is made from grass-fed beef gelatin mixed with powdered vitamin C. Pour it into a worm-shaped silicone mold and you've got candy-like creation that helps with both wrinkles and hormone imbalances.

2. Soy tempeh

Photo: gourmetvegetariankitchen

Soy tempeh looks a bit like a sponge, and its name isn’t helping the cause either. Though the fermented soy superfood can be delicious and is exceptional for boosting health. “Tempeh packs a matrix of nutrients and beneficial compounds that place it clearly in the lead position as one of the most nutritionally esteemed of all bean-derived foods,” Kulze says. “A single 3oz serving provides 16 grams of complete protein, 6 grams of fiber, loads of vitamins and minerals, as well as beneficial bacteria (probiotics),” she adds. Eat more soy tempeh and you’ll experience a boom in heart and gastrointestinal health, help ward off cancer, and better manage appetite. “Always choose organic varieties, typically available in the produce section of the grocery store,” Kulze recommends.

3. Artichoke hearts

Photo: rachaelraymag

If you’ve ever eaten your way through an artichoke, picking off the vegetable’s petals until you come face to face with its heart, you know how utterly bizarre its core is. There’s a furry center sitting atop the heart, which you have to carefully scrape away with a spoon. Gross? Yes. But here’s the thing: “Artichoke hearts may be the most under-appreciated and underutilized of all superstar foods,” Kulze says. “For just 60 calories per serving, you get a mighty kick of vitamin C, folate, and fiber along with a full range of minerals.” Its antioxidant power is really where the vegetable shines. “Even right from the can or jar, artichoke hearts beat out all other fruits and vegetables—except currants—in terms of antioxidant power,” she says. Toss artichoke hearts on salads, eat them as a quick snack, or prep the vegetable aside.

4. Amaranth

Photo: sandiegoseedcompany

Vegans and other foodies looking for plant-based protein should consider adding amaranth to their winter diet. According to Lewis, this gluten-free grain packs a whopping 26 grams of protein per one cup of uncooked amaranth. Like quinoa, amaranth is a complete protein, which means it also contains lysine, an amino acid that most grains lack. Plus, it's a good source of vitamin C, iron, and fiber. Bottom line: You might not know what amaranth is, but toss it into your grain rotation for an easy boost. It's one of nature's star students.

5. Liver

Photo: parenting.firstcry

We know, we know. You're dry-heaving at the thought of it. But ounce for ounce, liver contains more nutrients than any other food, according to Kayla Fioravanti, who owns Red Cedar Bison Ranch and is a teacher of "mindful meat consumption."

What makes the liver such an awesome protein is that it's the most concentrated, naturally occurring source of vitamin A. Plus, it's full of vitamin B, folate, and one of the most usable and digestible forms of iron and copper. So, stop whining and eat your liver already.

6. Bone Broth

Photo:mashed

Bone broth has recently become very popular among health-conscious people. It’s made by cooking bones from meat, poultry, or fish for an extended period of time. This releases minerals and other beneficial components.

One of these components is collagen, which has been credited with beneficial effects on muscle and bone health. Although there is no published research on bone broth itself, there’s evidence suggesting that the collagen in it may help reduce signs of aging.

When cooked, collagen breaks down into gelatin, which is rich in the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Your body can absorb these amino acids and use them to form new collagen in your skin. Controlled studies have shown that consuming collagen may improve skin elasticity, moisture, and firmness while reducing wrinkles.

In one study, wrinkle depth was significantly reduced in postmenopausal women who took a collagen supplement along with other skin-supporting nutrients like vitamins C and E for 12 weeks.

7. Horseradish

Photo: thespruceeats

Prepared horseradish is a condiment made from the large, white root of the horseradish plant, which is in the same family as mustard and wasabi; it is a cousin of broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts. Horseradish is at its best and most flavorful when freshly grated. There are bottled varieties, but grating it on your own will be more pleasing for your palate. Horseradish can be grated by hand, but it is easiest with a food processor. Like mustard, the heat and fumes begin to rapidly deteriorate once the horseradish is cut or grated and exposed to air. In cooked dishes, horseradish is added at the end of cooking as heat eliminates both the root's aroma and zing. One of the biggest benefits of horseradish is that it adds a large burst of flavor with very few calories and very little fat.1 There are about two calories in one teaspoon of prepared horseradish, Thespruceeats reported.

8. Celeriac root

Photo: simplyrecipes

Celeriac root looks like a mistake—like you pulled a weed out of the ground and this weird bulbous thing followed. Well, this knobby root vegetable—ugly as it is—is loaded with health-boosting properties. For starters, celeriac root is a type of celery that belongs to the carrot family. It boasts a distinctive flavor—something between celery and parsley. “Celeriac root is very low in calories and a great source of Vitamin K, which is essential to bone health,” Scritchfield says. “It’s also an excellent source of the essential minerals phosphorus iron, calcium, copper, and manganese.”

No clue how to eat it? No sweat. Peel the outer skin, and cut the root into quarters. Place the segments into boiling water (like you would make mashed potatoes). Boil until the roots easily punctured with a knife, drain the water, then mash with butter, salt, and pepper, Scritchfield recommends. It pairs well with chicken, steak, or pork. You can also serve it raw and/or tossed in salads. “It’s best paired with other pungent flavored veggies, like apples, beets, and carrots,” she adds.

9. Black rice

Photo: rice-spices

“This exotic rice—also known as ‘forbidden rice’ because it was revered and specifically reserved for royalty in ancient Asia—packs a wholesome nutritional wallop from abundant fiber, minerals, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants (measure for the measure even more than blueberries),” Kulze says. “In fact, black rice contains the very same deep purple anthocyanin pigments as berries, but the pigments are so concentrated the grains appear black.” Try to get more physically intact whole grains like these into your diet.

10. Heirloom tomatoes

Photo: ourstate

“These ‘heritage’ breed tomatoes come in odd shapes and shades, but are packed with good-for-you nutrients,” Scritchfield says. “They’re loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known to protect against multiple forms of cancer and support prostate health,” she adds. Interestingly enough, unlike most other tomatoes, heirlooms are picked at peak ripeness (rather than at their green mature state and left to ripen via ethylene gas). This means they’ve got a greater vitamin content (vitamin A, C, and K), according to Mensjournal.

11. Canned pumpkin

Photo: realsimple

Canned pumpkin is one of the only examples of a “processed food” being healthier than its fresh counterpart, Kulze says. Essentially, “it’s fresh pumpkin pureed, then cooked down to remove its water, which both concentrates its nutrients and makes them easier for your body to absorb them,” she explains. Add canned pumpkin to your smoothies, soups, yogurt, and oatmeal. “It’s low in calories, high in fiber, and provides the most concentrated package of disease-fighting carotenoids of any food,” Kulze says. “Those carotenoids are important for immune health, heart health, and keeping your skin youthful.”

12. Beet Juice

Photo: krishijagran

Okay, some juice is still in. But it's not the sweet, fruity kind. Veggie juices—particularly beet juice—are growing in popularity for their impressive health benefits. Beets are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and can improve oxygen flow to your muscles.

Gagging a little at the thought of sipping plain beets? Try an orange-beet blend; the dash of orange will make it a bit sweeter to swallow. Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company sells an orange beet juice that it says can also decrease fatigue and reduce blood pressure.

13. Flaxseeds

Photo: mygenefood

Flaxseeds have amazing health benefits. They contain lignans, which can lower cholesterol, reduce blood sugar and insulin levels while decreasing the risk of breast and prostate cancer.

They are also a great source of an omega-3 fatty acid called ALA, which protects your skin from sun radiation and may reduce sun-related skin damage.

In controlled studies, women who consumed flaxseeds or flax oil for 12 weeks showed improved hydration and smoother skin, Healthline cited.

14. Tart Cherry Juice

Photo: valleysleepcenter

The other new, big fruit juice is tart cherry juice, which reportedly can improve your sleep. That's because cherries are one of the only natural food sources of melatonin, a hormone secreted at night to regulate our sleep and wake cycles, Lewis explains.

A tip: The more tart the better. Lewis says that sweet cherries only have half the melatonin as their tart cousins and dried cherries have virtually none. But tart cherry juice can also help stave off winter arthritis, according to Cheribundi, a producer of the juice. It claims its juice is used by more than 160 pro and college athletic teams as a natural anti-inflammatory for arthritis and as a recovery drink from tough workouts!

15. Charcoal Powder

Photo: vicofood

When thinking about polishing up your fangs, you probably don't automatically think about smearing charcoal all over them. But charcoal powder is a natural mineral that can attract toxic substances and clean waste from our bodies, making it an effective way to clean your teeth, according to Pamela Wasabi, author, plant-based chef, and expert in integrative nutrition and nutritional psychology.

Contrary to what you'd expect, instead of staining your teeth, this dark black powder naturally whitens them, Wasabi says. After putting toothpaste on your toothbrush, she recommends tapping it in the charcoal powder. Then, simply brush and spit, Eat This noted.

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