5 Foods That Will Result in a Healthy Diet

It would be nice if we could only eat what pleases our palate, but the truth is that we also must eat to stay healthy. Luckily these two concepts need not be mutually exclusive. Add a mix of these foods into your diet to make it both healthy and delicious.

Supplements

Without making any changes to what you chew and swallow, you can easily add in a few healthy supplements to support your body’s well-being. If your body does not take in enough calcium from your diet, for example, it will start taking it from your bones. Because many adults stop drinking milk as voraciously as they did as children, supplemental calcium may be necessary to keep from getting degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis. It’s a similar story with iron. Without enough of it from diet, you may become easily fatigued or develop anemia. Some supplements such as chlorella superfood have health benefits from increased energy levels to dental health to immune system support.

Fruits and Veggies

Everybody knows they should add more fruits and vegetables to their diet, but it’s hard to remember which ones pack the most nutritional punch. Topping the list is broccoli. Lightly steamed broccoli is full of antioxidants and phytonutrients both of which are essential to keeping your body disease free. Kale is a bit more exotic, but it’s actually quite tasty once you learn how to cook it. It’s full of vitamins C and K. Avocados bridge the gap between fruit and vegetable (technically it is a fruit) by providing “good” fat and a variety of vitamins. Blueberries, a true fruit, have powerful antioxidants and are great for helping to lower blood pressure and providing luminous skin. Plus, they are delicious.

Proteins

Oily fish such as salmon and trout provide high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which help support the heart and act as an anti-inflammatory. Eggs pack a lot of nutrition into a small package. They are great for helping to build muscle as well as maintaining energy levels. The best thing about this high-quality protein is that they can be prepared in so many ways, so it’s nearly impossible to not find a way to enjoy them. If you just must have meat in your diet for protein, your best bet is free-range, skin-free chicken cooked as simply as possible and not fried.

Nuts

There are so many health benefits to almonds, it’s hard to name them all. Not only are they tasty and portable, they are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin E and magnesium. They can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Almonds can also help curb your hunger leading you to consume fewer unhealthy calories. Brazil nuts, although not as well known, are also very healthy. They contain selenium, necessary for proper thyroid function and for preventing mental impairment.

Grains

Your grandmother was probably right when she made you eat oatmeal instead of sugary cereal. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber which slows down your digestion and thus evens out your blood sugar. That same special fiber can help your body heal more quickly too. Switching to brown rice when possible is a healthier option due to its abundance of B vitamins which help or support so many body systems such as red blood cells, digestion, and nerve and brain function. As long as you do not have a gluten allergy to wheat, adding wheat germ to your diet is a great way to get densely packed nutrition in a few tablespoons added to cereal, muffins or shakes. You can even add it to your already nutritious oatmeal. In addition to B vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, wheat germ contains phytosterols, a steroid compound which fosters heart health.

With so many options, it’s easier to make healthy choices most of the time especially if you know the benefits of those choices. Think about what part of your body most needs a health overhaul and start there. One or two small changes could lead to a significantly healthier lifestyle.