Take it from a unrepentant junk food junkie that it doesn’t pay to eat bad food when there is so much good food all around you ready to be eaten and eager to reward you with greater health, increased vitality, and longer life. What makes this message all the more enticing is that these foods are satisfying to the palate—so, what are you waiting for? I, for one, am thinking seriously of becoming a convert.

Following are 60 of the best foods you can feed your body for radiant good health and longevity. After years of indulging yourself in fast food, artificial ingredients, excessive fats and sugars, and way too many calories, it is time to clean up your act as well as your internal organs. Start showing your body how much you appreciate the abuse it has good-naturedly taken from you over the years, and that you are now ready to make amends while the clock is still ticking in your favor.  

Please note that some nutrients are listed merely as an added incentive—but do not necessary reflect the fully accurate composition of each of the foods.

1. Whole-wheat crisp breads – Loaded with fiber and, as in the case of whole-grain rye crackers like Wasa, Ry Krisp, and Ryvita, are often free of fats.
2. Oatmeal – Full of fiber and may be topped with raisins or other fruit, fat-free milk, or just a sprinkling of cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
3. Cranberry juice – Good for cleansing your kidneys and your palate, and to keep harmful bacteria from growing. It is also full of nutrients.
4. Pomegranate juice – Vitamins A, C, K, and both alpha- and beta-carotene.
5. Oranges – Vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber are the bonus ingredients for these tasty fruits.
6. Nectarines – See Oranges.
7. Grapefruits – See Oranges.
8. Pineapples – See Oranges.
9. Lemons and limes – See Oranges.
10. Melons (watermelon and cantaloupe) – Vitamin C and beta-carotene protect against free-radical damage to cells.
11. Figs – Potassium and fiber combine with vitamin B-6, responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin, lowering cholesterol, and preventing water retention.
12. Plums and prunes – Technically prunes are dried plums and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B, K, and amino acids.
13. Apples – Applesauce, apple juice…any way you take your apples, you benefit your health.
14. Apricots – Beta carotene in this fruit turns into Vitamin A and helps prevent free-radical damage.
15. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and various other berries are filled with vitamins like C, fiber, and vision-enhancing nutrients.
16. Strawberries – Vitamins A, C, K, calcium.
17. Grapes and raisins – As prunes are dried plums, raisins are dried grapes and a great source of iron for those people, particularly women, who are often deficient in this mineral.
18. Avocados – Oleic acid, an unsaturated fat that helps lower overall cholesterol and raise HDL levels, plus a good dose of fiber. 
19. Onions – The anti-oxidant quercetin resides in onions, and is one of the most powerful flavonoids found in any food.
20. Garlic – Sulfur compounds lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure, while reducing the risk of stomach and colon cancer.
21. Bok choy – Here is a potent combatant in the war against breast cancer, thanks to the brassinin, indoles, and isothiocyanates.
22. Celery – Vitamins A, B, C and K.
23. Leeks – Vitamins A, B, C, K, trace minerals, beta-carotene, and amino acids.
24. Beets – Beta-carotene, amino acids, Vitamins A, B, C, K and trace minerals.
25. Turnips – High in calcium, vitamins B, C.
26. Parsley – Vitamins A, B, C, trace minerals.
27. Artichokes – Silymarin is the anti-oxidant in artichokes that help prevent skin cancer. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the cooked vegetable, and eat it one succulent leaf at a time.
28. Carrots – Loaded to the gills with vitamin A.
29. Sweet potatoes – These are bursting with carotenoids, vitamin C and fiber. Plus they are delicious when baked with unsweetened applesauce, or orange or pineapple. 
30. Tomatoes – Whether you consider the tomato a fruit or a vegetable, consider adding it to your diet every chance you get. Vitamins A and C, fiber, and phytochemicals are available in the ubiquitous tomato, which adds color, flavor, and fun to thousands of lunch and dinner recipes.
31. Butternut squash – A half-cup of squash offers you five grams of fiber and an abundance of vitamins A and C.
32. Zucchini – See squash.
33. Broccoli – Vitamin C, carotenoids, folic acid. Add seasoning and lemon juice.
34. Brussels sprouts – Beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, K, calcium, iron, amino acids.
35. Dark green leafy lettuce – Collard greens, watercress, arugula, etc. Beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E make these leaves worth adding to your daily diet.
36. Spinach – Vitamins A, C, K, folate, potassium, magnesium, iron, lutein, and phytyochemicals all play a part in making this a perfect food. It’s also tasty topped with a squeeze of lemon and maybe a sprinkle of grated nuts for texture.
37. Kale – See Spinach, above.
38. Beans and legumes – Including garbanzo beans, kidney bens, lentils, lima beans, miso, navy beans, pinto beans, soybeans, tofu, and tempeh. A half-cup of pinto beans offers more than 25% of your daily requirement of folate, which protects against heart disease and birth defects.
39. Soy sauce (tamari) – Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B, K.
40. Olive oil (extra virgin) – Vitamin E and K and polyunsaturated fats.
41. Brown rice – Nutritionally weak white rice is not nearly as nice for your body as the brown variety, which offers you fiber, magnesium, vitamins E and B-6, copper, zinc and phytochemicals. It’s also quick and easy to cook in the microwave.
42. Peanut butter – Organic peanut butter contains nothing more than peanuts and salt, and its unsaturated fat lowers risk of heart disease.
43. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and peanuts – See peanut butter above.
44. Seeds (including flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds) – A good source of protein and unsaturated fats.
45. Low-fat milk – Vitamin A protects against allergies and B2 protects the eyes—the two key advantages for including these products in your diet.
46. Low-fat cheese – See low-fat milk products.
47. Yogurt – Filled with acidophilus to improve the bacteria balance in your intestinal tract. It also protects against yeast infections and bone loss.
48. Eggs – Eat simply the egg whites for your protein, or the entire egg for the great taste. Poach or boil them to keep the fat count down to a minimum.
49. Calf’s liver – Rich in iron and protein.
50. Lamb – Lean meat, rich in protein.
51. Chicken – See lamb.
52. Turkey – See lamb.
53. Venison – See lamb.
54. Lean, organic beef – See lamb.
55. Fish – Fish low in fat like tuna is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which protects against heart disease. Enjoy the Italian way with olive oil and seasonings. Also good for you are: mackerel, cod, halibut, and snapper. The vitamin B12 from shellfish like scallops and shrimp support nerve and brain function. An added bonus is the iron, magnesium, and potassium. Crab contains all those ingredients plus immunity-boosting zinc. Salmon is good, but wild salmon, minus the PCB contaminants, is much healthier. The omega-3 fatty acids are a draw, as well as the fact that it reduces the risk of sudden-death heart attacks.
56. Coffee (in moderation) – New advantages of drinking coffee keep coming to the surface. Is it really a weapon against senility, diabetes, and so on? Stay tuned.
57. Red wine (in moderation) – Resveratrol is the latest buzzword because it is found in of our favorite beverages, and is also good for what ails you due to the abundance of anti-oxidants it offers. It is now available in capsule form, so you don’t have to imbibe several bottles of wine to reap its benefits.
58. Green tea – Lots of anti-oxidants to promote your good health.
59. Water – The basic essential of life.
60. Dark chocolate (in moderation) – Saving the possible best for last, this dark version of chocolate is filled with anti-oxidants.