Nutrition is an essential part of keeping your body in tip top condition. The hardest part of eating healthy is knowing exactly what is healthy for you to eat. The next challenge is finding those healthy foods that you actually enjoy the taste of. Even the pickiest of eaters are able to find healthy foods that they enjoy though so have faith. Here’s a list of multiple healthy foods and a short explanation of how they’re healthy:
1. Cantaloupe: This yummy fruit has powerful antioxidants that will reduce inflammation, reduce your risk of disease, and keep your eyes healthy. Cantaloupe is also a good source of potassium and also contains vitamins A and C.
2. Avocados: These delicious wonders might be the best food on the list. Not only will they please your taste buds, but they also are amazingly healthy. Avocados are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and monounsaturated fat. They have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol (which isn’t the good kind of cholesterol), they can improve symptoms of arthritis, and they can even protect your skin from being damaged by the sun.
3. Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These contain lycopene but a bit more of it than regular tomatoes. Not only that but they also tend to be packed with olive oil which helps your body absorb more of that lycopene.
4. Olives: This is a healthy snack that contains a large amount of heart healthy monounsaturated fats and powerful antioxidants like oleuropein.
5. Acai: This is a tasty berry that is loaded with antioxidants and it is an amazing thing to put in a smoothie. It’s also believed that Acai can provide you with a boost of energy.
6. Cauliflower: This is an incredible food both taste and health wise. Cauliflower contains plenty of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. The best part about this food is you can get really creative with it.
7. Coconut: This is one of the most versatile foods known to us. Coconut oil is high in medium chain triglycerides which is a great source of energy. Coconut water contains a healthy number of electrolytes and coconut flour makes for a great gluten free baking ingredient. Coconut sugar is also a low glycemic sweetener.
8. Dragonfruit: This fruit is high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C.
9. Flax Seeds: These will deliver our body a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid which makes them heart healthy with anti-inflammatory perks to it.
10. Freekeh: This is a type of wheat that is popular in the middle east and can be used in any dish that calls for whole grains. This wheat has more protein than quinoa and twice as much fiber.
11. Goji Berries: These are similar to raisins and have been used in traditional Tibetan medicine for hundreds of years. Goji Berries are a great source of vitamin A, Iron, and it’s high in antioxidants.
12. Hemp Seeds: These seeds contain an enormous amount of protein, omega 6 and omega 3 fats. They may reduce the risk of heart disease and have been said to help with symptoms produced by menopause.
13. Jackfruit: This is a tropical fruit that contains vitamins, electrolytes, phytonutrients, and minerals.
14. Kombucha: This drink has gained some gigantic popularity as of late. Kombucha is low in calories, and high in probiotics which are gut friendly.
15. Salmon: This contains a lot of omega 3 fats which can aid in reducing inflammation. Salmon also has a large amount of protein, vitamin D, and selenium. Salmon also helps maintain joint health using bioactive peptides. Aim to get wild salmon which has less toxins than the farmed kind.
16. Seaweed: Most people are surprised to hear that you can eat seaweed but you can and it’s also super healthy. Seaweed contains high amounts of minerals like iodine, iron, magnesium, and calcium. Seaweed also contains vitamin C.
17. Oatmeal: This food will help keep your cholesterol in check and help fight against heart disease. Oatmeal is also a great source for fiber.
18. Walnuts: These are an amazing source of omega 3 fatty acids which will help regulate cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.
19. Greek Yogurt: This yummy food contains protein and is also rich in probiotics which will help your gut health.
20. Eggs: Egg whites offer up a lot of protein and contains minimal calories. Egg yolks contain vitamin B12, vitamin A, and choline which is a nutrient that’s important for pregnant women to have in their diets.
21. Edamame: These are loaded with fiber and contain a large amount of protein.
22. Kiwi: This interesting fruit has almost as much potassium as a banana and twice the amount of vitamin C that you’d get from an orange.
23. Sweet Potatoes: These are rich in antioxidants and they taste absolutely amazing.
24. Kale: This leafy green veggie has loads of vitamin C, Calcium, and antioxidants. Kale is also a good source of the eye friendly nutrient lutein.
25. Barley: This is a cholesterol fighter that also contains a lot of fiber.
26. Pumpkin: The antioxidants in pumpkin will help keep your skin healthy and the potassium it contains will help lower your blood pressure.
27. Peanut Butter: Who would’ve thought something so tasty could be so heathy. Peanut butter is a great source of protein.
28. Chard: This leafy green contains nutrients like calcium, B vitamins, and beta-carotene. Chard is also a food that will fuel your body with fiber.
29. Bulgar: This is made from wheat in a quite complicated process. Bulgur delivers your body a boost of potassium, B vitamins, and calcium. It also contains a high amount of fiber.
30. Whole-Grain Pasta: This pasta contains a large amount of fiber. Look out for multigrain pastas because it is not the same thing and might not be made with whole ones.
31. Black Beans: These will maintain nerve and muscle function. They contain magnesium and antioxidants.
32. Spinach: This leafy treat contains iron which will help you have healthy hair. Spinach is also loaded with antioxidants.
33. Kidney Beans: These are one of the most antioxidant rich foods that you can get your hands on.
34. Quinoa: This is a staple in most vegetarian and vegan diets. Quinoa is a complete protein which means it contains all nine essential amino acids. This herbaceous plant-based food is a great way to make up for a lack of meat in your diet.
35. Lentils: These little guys are loaded with protein and a nutrient named folate.
36. Chicken Breast: This is the leanest part of a chicken and half a breast contains more than 22 grams of protein with only 2.5 grams of fat. Doesn’t get much better than that.
37. Oranges: These are obviously your best source for vitamin C that keep the scurvy away. Oranges help the body burn fat and can also prevent colds.
38. Sardines: These might not be the best tasting, but they’re loaded with protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acids.
39. Almonds: These delicious little nuts are jam packed with monounsaturated fatty acids which will help keep your blood vessels healthy.
40. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil has the potential to cut the risk of heart disease and is a great source of monounsaturated fats.
41. Cheese: This is an amazing source of nutrients and it’s delicious. A single slice of cheese contains about the same amount of nutrients that a full glass of milk does.
42. Whole Milk: This contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, animal protein, and healthy fats. Whole milk is also one of the best sources of calcium available to us.
43. Potatoes: These are packed with potassium and contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need to be healthy.
44. Dark Chocolate: This is a wonderful source of antioxidants and is jam packed with magnesium.
45. Broccoli Sprouts: These are rich in the nutrient sulforaphane, and studies have shown that it can help with memory issues, bowel habits, and obesity. They make a great garnish for almost any dish you can think of.
46. Beets: These are wonderful in the fight against Alzheimer’s and are great for endurance performance.