Slideshow: Burn Fat All Year Long

By: Victoria Shanta Retelny, RD, LDN; Photography by: Masterfile

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1. January - Oranges

Look for: Firm, smother skin and heavy for size.

Reap these benefits!
Great source of potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure and heart health; vitamin C for staving off post-workout free radical damage and disease.

2. February - Brussel sprouts

Look for: Firm, compact heads

Reap these benefits!
Good source of vitamin C for fighting disease; potassium and folate for healthy heart, blood pressure and fending off cancers.

3. March - Asparagus

Look for: Odorless, dry and tight tips; not wilted or limp stalks

Reap these benefits!
Rich in folic acid for keeping homocysteine levels down, which helps reduce risk of heart disease, cancers and mental decline; antioxidants for strong blood vessels and healthy  cells.

4. April - Honeydew melon

Look for: Spherical shape with waxy (not fuzzy) surface and heavy for size

Reap these benefits!
Great source of vitamin C, shown to diminish wrinkles and keep youthful skin.

5. May - Strawberries

Look for: Shiny, bright red, firm not mushy

Reap these benefits!
One of the best fruits for disease-fighting antioxidants and phenolics, particularly fending off breast and colon cancers.

6. June - Blueberries

Look for: Firm, plump and dry with dusty blue color and uniform in size

Reap these benefits!
Rich in plant-based chemicals called phenolic acids and anthocyanins,
which fight cancers and heart disease and boost memory; ellagic acid fends off bacterial infections.

7. July - Cherries

Look for: Firm and red with stems attached, avoid soft, shriveled or speckled

Reap these benefits!
Contains cyanidin, a plant-based compound that can bring down inflammation. Cherry juice has been shown to reduce muscle pain and strength loss postworkout.

8. August - Tomatoes

Look for: Bright, shiny skin and firm flesh

Reap these benefits!
Packed with the antioxidant lycopene, which may fend off cancers, particularly ovarian cancer.

9. September - Broccoli

Look for: Odorless, tight heads with bluish, green florets

Reap these benefits!
High in sinus-infection-fighting vitamin C; calcium for preventing menstrual cramps and headaches; and high amounts of sulforaphane, which helps prevent breast cancer.

10. October - Pumpkin

Look for: Firm and heavy; avoid ones that are mushy and blemished

Reap these benefits!
Good source of fiber, which is good for blood sugar control, potassium for keeping blood pressure in check and overall heart health and lutein, for eye health.

11. November - Sweet Potatoes

Look for: Firm with smooth skin, avoid dark spots, cracks and softness

Reap these benefits!
Excellent source of beta carotene, which has been shown to fend off breast cancer; vitamin C for healthy cells and fiber for good blood sugar control.

12. December - Kale

Look for: Dark green in small bunches, avoid brown or yellow leaves

Reap these benefits!
High in carotenoids, such as lutein, good for eye sight and lowering the risk of lung cancer, esophageal cancer and oral cancers; potassium for optimal blood pressure and calcium for strong bones and teeth.

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