Healthy Foods You Should Be Eating
It seems like every day we wake up to a new “superfood” that will change your life.
With the abundance of information available, how do you know what’s actually good for you?
Top 15 healthy foods you should be eating
1. Fish
Eat plenty of fish, which are high in healthy omega 3 fatty acids, and smaller portions of red meat to reduce your risk of diseases like stroke, heart disease and cancer.
2. Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables
These foods are rich in nutrients including glucosinolates, which are key in detoxification processes. These are best served raw or quick-steamed for five to ten minutes.
3 Beets
No matter which color – red, yellow, golden – or which part – root or greens – they contain a wonderful variety of protective carotenoids. Evidence suggests their dietary nitrates can be converted to nitric oxide and improve endurance exercise
4. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables
These are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin: nutrients that can help protect against macular degeneration
5. Kale
It’s a green leafy veggie that I love chopped in salad or cooked with onion and garlic. It is nutrient dense, has lots of antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol.
6. Peanut butter
My favorite food is peanut butter. It has protein, carbs and sugars. It’s a great recovery food and my kids love it!
7. Almonds
Almonds have a lot of vitamin E, which protects against macular degeneration as well as cataracts. I recommend eating just a handful a day
8. Mangos
They are low calorie, high in fiber and vitamins A and C. They also have other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and have been linked with multiple health benefits. Plus, all my kids like them, so it is something we can all agree on
9. Blueberries
Blueberries are excellent frozen because they will cool down your oatmeal with bonus fiber and antioxidants. They contain resveratrol, like red wine without the alcohol, hangover or extra calories.
10. Legumes
Legumes such as chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are a great healthy snack item that can actually provide a lot of flavor depending on how you prepare them. I like making jalapeño-cilantro hummus or even roasting whatever peppers are in season and incorporating those into a hummus. Using the hummus as simply a healthy dip or to add a flavor profile to any wrap or sandwich instead of a mayonnaise-based spread can result in a healthy, savory meal.