Do you want to stay fit and healthy? Healthy food is essential at every stage of life. The good thing about healthy food is that it comes packed full of nutrients and other beneficial ingredients that ensure that our body remains strong and healthy. The 7 foods mentioned below contain vital minerals and vitamins that assist in the proper functioning of your metabolism and digestion system. They also prevent diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. These foods will definitely keep you healthy throughout your lifetime.
Healthy Foods Debunked
The myth that a vegetarian diet can be harmful to one’s health has been debunked. A vegetarian diet contains all those necessary nutrients for a healthy lifestyle: protein, iron, calcium, and many more. It is advisable to eat at least three servings of vegetables daily which are rich sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, and green peas are some examples of nutritious veggies.
1. Avocados
Avocados are loaded with vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, folate, fiber, protein, phytochemicals, antioxidants like beta-carotene, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It’s a perfect fruit for dessert or breakfast because of its creamy texture and sweet flavor. Its versatility allows you to enjoy them in salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, omelets, smoothies, baking recipes – you name it!
2. Sweet Potatoes
This orange veggie contains more carotenes than carrots, which means they help maintain vision and eye health. In addition, this vegetable provides over 100% daily value of vitamin A, plus vitamins C and B6, potassium, copper, and manganese. So, if you need an easy way to get extra antioxidant power into your diet, try sweet potatoes instead of carrots. Sweet potatoes have even been linked to improving memory and cognition.
3. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber and potassium. This citrus fruit is very low in calories (about 45 per medium) and fat (0 grams). Plus, it’s great for weight loss since grapefruit boosts metabolism and burns extra calories. For added benefits, snack on half of a grapefruit before each meal.
4. Lentils
Lentils are packed with minerals like phosphorus, zinc and iron. They are also extremely versatile, so you can use them in pasta dishes, soups, casseroles, stews and chili. They’re incredibly inexpensive, too. For best results, cook lentils until tender but not mushy; then add to a salad or serve with rice, pasta or soup. Other ways to incorporate lentils into your diet include using them in place of meat in tacos, burritos or quesadillas. Or add them to a grain dish like polenta or couscous.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli is another superfood that offers excellent nutrition. One cup of cooked broccoli contains just 11 calories, yet it’s bursting with vitamins and minerals including fiber, folic acid, calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C. Add steamed broccoli to salads, stir-fries or sauté with garlic. If raw broccoli leaves you unappealing, steam or microwave it first. You can also freeze broccoli florets to use throughout the week.
6. Asparagus
Asparagus is loaded with vitamins — including A, C, and K — as well as other minerals like iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. The vitamin C content alone gives asparagus its bright color. When preparing this veggie, trim off woody stems, peel the bottom 1/8 inch of the stalk, and cut away any damaged portions. Then chop or break up the remaining pieces into bite-size pieces. Enjoy it raw in salad, grill, boil, or roast.
7. Spinach
Spinach has at least seven times the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin compared to an equivalent serving of corn. These two nutrients may protect against macular degeneration, dry eyes, cataracts, and some cancers. Lutein helps boost fluid production in cells, while zeaxanthin supports retina function. Eat spinach plain, or blend it into dips, casseroles, or pasta sauce. Another bonus: Fresh spinach contains zero fat, carbs, or sodium.
Why Keep Healthy
You don’t need to be perfect to eat healthy. But you do need to change your lifestyle and start making healthier food choices;
– Drink less juice
Juice isn’t good for you—it causes diarrhea and bloating, and drinking it regularly could actually lead to obesity.
– Limit red wine
Red wine is delicious, but it contains resveratrol, which some research suggests may lower “good” HDL cholesterol, thus increasing your risk of heart disease.
– Cut back on sugar
Sugar raises insulin levels and leads to belly bloat, fatigue, and hunger pangs. It also makes it easier to gain weight.
The Bottom Line
Health transcends the physical, where your mental being is also of crucial importance. Try and keep your mind healthy by slowing down on some habits that may be straining you mentally, i.e online gambling, watching porn, and eating junk foods! We all have to take care of our bodies especially now when we are living longer than ever before.