Typically sold at grocery and specialty stores in long, paper-size sheets, dried seaweed is used to wrap sushi and to flavor certain Japanese dishes. Some recent studies have found that it is full of heart-healthy compounds like antioxidants, potassium and vitamins A and B. With a sweet, nutty flavor and a crunchy texture, dried seaweed makes a satisfying but low-cal snack (just 10 calories for a single two-ounce sheet). “I like to break it up into small pieces and eat it like potato chips. Even my three young daughters like it!” Gupta says.

Source Sanjay Gupta, MD, practicing neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent for CNN

Photo courtesy of heinteh5/Shutterstock.com

The Mediterranean diet opened our eyes to the potential health benefits of traditional regional cuisines. Now, thanks to the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen (ranked number one in the world by Restaurant magazine for the past three years) and other trendy Scandinavian eateries, Nordic cooking has been getting a closer look from nutrition experts. This cuisine is delicious and good for you: It emphasizes omega-3-rich salmon, antioxidant-packed berries like lingonberries and blueberries, nutrient-dense vegetables such as beets and onions, and disease-fighting herbs like dill, parsley, cinnamon and cardamom. In addition, the hearty Scandinavian way of eating relies heavily on grains like oatmeal, rye and barley, which have all been connected to lower heart disease risk.

Source David Colbert, MD, author of The High School Reunion Diet

Photo courtesy of Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

A single serving of these flavorless Mayan seeds has more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than flax, along with good supplies of protein, fiber, antioxidants and essential minerals such as calcium and zinc. Eat the seeds whole, add them to a shake (when mixed with liquid, chia forms a gel that acts as an instant thickener) or make your own pudding: Chill a can of coconut milk overnight, then blend in four tablespoons of chia seeds, four tablespoons of unsweetened cacao powder, one to three packages of stevia and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Source Frank Lipman, MD, founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center; author of Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again

Photo courtesy of My Lit'l Eye/Shutterstock.com

Fun fact: Peru has a large Japanese community (because of a wave of immigration in the late 1800s), and this influence—think raw seafood, ginger and peppers, and an emphasis on clean, pure flavor—can still be felt in the country’s brand of Latin cuisine. Look for tangy, high-protein ceviches (seafood marinated in citrus and spice) and tiraditos (seafood marinated in citrus, hot peppers and ginger). “My favorite Peruvian ingredient is ají amarillo paste, which is made from a mild and fruity yellow chile,” says Garcia. “Add in a teaspoonful or two to give a kick to vegetable dishes such as cauliflower puree.” You can make the paste or buy it online or at your local market.

Source Chef Lorena Garcia, creator of the Taco Bell Cantina Bell Menu; author of Lorena Garcia’s New Latin Classics

Photo courtesy of rj lerich/Shutterstock.com

Want the health benefits of coffee without the bitter flavor? Green-coffee-bean extract made from unroasted (that’s where the green comes from) coffee beans is showing up all over the place. It has high levels of chlorogenic acids, powerful antioxidant compounds that all but disappear when coffee beans are roasted. Chlorogenic acids have been connected to weight loss and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Since green-coffee-bean extract is raw, it doesn’t taste like regular roasted coffee and is actually slightly sweet. This means it can be blended into fruity drinks for a caffeine punch. Starbucks, for instance, recently launched a line of drinks, called Refreshers, that combine fresh juice and this energy-boosting extract.

Source Sirr Less, global vice president of communications at Whole Foods Market

Photo courtesy of Jiri Hera/Shutterstock.com

For centuries, Asians have been fermenting garlic at high temperatures to make this sweet, chewy delicacy. Now you can buy black garlic online or at your local specialty grocery store. Unlike the regular variety, it doesn’t have a pungent odor; therefore, it’s less likely to give you bad breath. What you do get are strong doses of antioxidants (more than from regular garlic, according to some reports), selenium and—as a result of the fermentation process—probiotics. Mix black garlic into sauces as you would regular garlic or simply spread it on toast like peanut butter.

Source Kris Carr, wellness activist; author of Crazy Sexy Diet and Crazy Sexy Kitchen

Want MORE? Read :Food Synergy: 13 Anti-Aging Power Pairs

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.