Dr. Oz's Healthy Refrigerator Checklist

Dr. Mehmet Oz, famed heart surgeon and host of The Dr. Oz Show, tells us what belongs in a healthy fridge and talks to Rachael Ray about what's behind his closed doors.

DR. OZ'S HEALTHY FRIDGE CHECKLIST

Eggs: "They're an inexpensive source of protein, and they don't elevate your cholesterol-eating fat does."
Leafy greens: "The greatest sources of vitamin K are green, leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale."
Whole grains: "They're not stripped of nutrients like refined wheat, and they have more fiber to keep you full."
Blueberries: "Antioxidant-rich foods like brightly colored berries keep skin supple and smooth."
Low-fat yogurt: "It has all the key nutrients your bones need. Don't buy fat-free yogurt-it's filled with sugar."

DR. OZ TALKS ABOUT WHAT'S IN HIS FRIDGE WITH RACHAEL RAY

Rachael Ray: Congratulations on having the healthiest and most packed refrigerator shelves I've ever seen. No wonder your family is so gorgeous! How many mouths are you feeding?
Dr. Oz: I have four kids, and my eldest daughter is married, so there are seven people at our table. We have another refrigerator outside, too-we buy in bulk and freeze everything, so we need the space. I have two huge vats of blueberries in there now from my trip to Maine. I'll freeze and use them until next summer.

RR: I have to know: Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?
DO: It does. Apples have flavonoids that reduce the risk of heart disease, and they taste good, too. We use them a lot in salads because they wake up the taste buds. We go apple picking every fall as a family, which is really fun. Whether they love apples or hate them, my kids have learned to appreciate where their food comes from, and that's the most important thing.

RR: Speaking of kids, any advice for parents of picky eaters?
DO: Well, the average child will reject food they don't like about 12 times before they begin to appreciate the taste. That's in part because kids have more taste buds than adults. Here's what parents should do: Every few months, expose your kids to, say, broccoli, and eventually they won't mind that it's on the table.

Read the rest of his tips, favorite foods and more »

Photography by Rob Howard

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