For most– well, girls at least, it is usually the other way around- function takes a back seat to fashion. (Think peep toe 4 inch heels!) But when it comes to nutrition, you can have your cake and eat it too! Enter: functional foods.

The term functional food, according to the International Food Information Council, is defined as a food or dietary component that provides a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. This is excellent news if you play your cards right; it is easy to take greater control of your health through the food choices you make by knowing which foods provide specific health benefits. In fact, “personalized nutrition” or nutrigenomics is gaining increasing popularity as experts (or your personal nutritionista) tailor dietary recommendations to an individual’s unique genetic makeup and nutritional goals.

Here are a few examples of Functional Foods:

Spinach, corn, eggs Contains: Lutein. Function: contributes to healthy vision
Pumpkin seeds, whole grains, brazil nuts. Contains: Magnesium. Function: maintenances of normal muscle and nerve function, healthy immune function, and bone health
Carrots and sweet potatos Contains:Beta-carotene. Function: Neutralizes cancer-causing free radicals and can be made into vitamin A in the body
Yogurts and other cultured dairy and non-dairy products Contains: Probiotics. Function: May improve gastrointestinal health and immunity
Bran (wheat and corn), fruit skins Contains: Insoluble (indigestible) fiber. Function: Maintains a healthy digestive tract; may reduce the risk of some types of cancer
Salmon: Contains: Polyunsaturated fatty acids and Omega-3 fatty acids; Function: contributes to maintenance of heart health; contributes to maintenance of mental and visual function
Cocoa, chocolate, cranberries, apples, grapes Contains: Flavanoids. Function: contributes to maintenance of heart health; urinary tract health
Spinach, yogurt, low-fat dairy products Contains: Calcium. Function: helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis

No functional food will work magic if the rest of your diet is garbage, but figure out your health goals, and then you can find the right functional foods to fill the bill.

If the shoe fits…