The only realistic way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to observe what you are eating. Following a healthy lifestyle will not only keep the doctor away but will also keep you happy. Healthy foods basically means nutritious foods. People who observe a nutritious diet significantly enhances their physical and mental well-being. However, not everyone who knows which foods are healthy. That’s why this article has compiled healthy foods to eat to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. They are healthy and delicious.
9 super healthy foods
Every healthy eater’s kitchen should have the following foods. They have awesome disease-fighting substances that will ensure you and your loved ones forget about dealing with lifestyle diseases. Do keep in mind that nutritionists recommend more than 10 foods a day to make a healthy diet.
Without further ado, here is the list.
1. Dark, leafy greens
Dark, leafy greens are rich in vitamins, folate, iron, magnesium, minerals, beta-carotene, carotenoids, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Hence, make sure your place contains greens like spinach, lettuces and kales in every meal. A study conducted by Harvard University showed people who eat foods rich in magnesium such as spinach reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
2. Sweet potatoes
Even from their name, you can tell that sweet potatoes are delicious. The tubers are extremely rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene. You don’t have to worry about the indigestion of food because the fibre in sweet potatoes is a major promoter of a healthy digestive tract. They can also prevent the occurrence of diseases such as cancer and heart disease with the help of the antioxidants in them. There are so many ways to prepare this dish. For instance, you can cut the sweet potato into small pieces and steam it with apples to have a delicious side dish.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkins are highly nutritious and majorly rich in vitamin A. Pumpkins benefits our bodies in so many wonderful ways. Interestingly, pumpkins are low in calories since they contain 94% water. So you can indulge in your pumpkin soup without worrying about excess calories, or make a delicious pumpkin cake. In fact, pumpkin has been known to help in weight loss journey because it is highly rich in fibre and ingredient that slows down digestion. It can also help you maintain a younger-looking skin thanks to the beta-carotene which helps to protect our skin from the sun’s wrinkle-causing UV rays. You can even use pumpkin to make a natural face mask to exfoliate and soothe your smooth skin. In such a case, you will need a pureed pumpkin, honey, milk and an egg. Mix them and then apply the mixture on your face. Leave the mask for 20 minutes then rinse it off with some warm water. Your skin will feel clean and smooth.
4. Eggs
Eggs for breakfast? Great. Although there was a time their cholesterol levels made them seem unhealthy, research has turned the tables. According to research, the saturated fat (which eggs contain in small amounts) has a bigger role than the cholesterol in food when it comes to the elevation of cholesterol in our blood. The impressive thing about eggs is that they are packed with high-quality protein. Also, they are a great source of lutein, choline and carotenoids. Eggs also provide the much-needed dietary choline to pregnant women. The nutrients found in eggs have also been found to prevent age-related eye problem known as macular degeneration which causes blindness to older people. As you can see, eggs are nutritious to people of all ages. Make sure if you don’t eat an egg in the morning, the day does not end before you do so.
5. Apples
Apples are known to help in lowering glucose and blood cholesterol levels because they are a great source of soluble fibre. They are also a good source of vitamin C which helps in the formation of connective tissue collagen, aids in the absorption of iron and protect your body’s cells from damage. The vitamin C found in apples also protects your body’s cells from damage.
6. Oranges
Oranges are just great. These unique fruits are high in fibre and they are low in calories. Besides, they contain amazing nutrients that can promote your overall health. Apart from their sweetness, they benefit our bodies a lot. First, oranges contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect body cells from free radicals. Also, oranges are a good source of potassium, thiamin, copper, folate and vitamin A. Some of the most known health benefits of oranges include prevention of cancer, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent rheumatoid arthritis and strengthen the immune system.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice and at the same time contains powerful medicinal properties. No wonder it has been used in India as a spice and a medicinal herb for thousands of years. When you consume food or drinks containing turmeric, the capacity of antioxidant in the body dramatically increases. The good thing about antioxidants in the body is that they protect your body from free radicals. Turmeric also contains curcumin which helps in lowering your risk of heart disease.
8. Pasta
Who said a healthy meal should be boring? You can indulge in your pasta without feeling like you are eating an unhealthy meal. Pasta is low on salt and fat. Plus it keeps you feeling full for longer and so you are not likely to overeat. However, you have to be careful with what you serve it with. Covering it with a rich Alfredo sauce can boost the salt and fat content of the food in your plate. Instead, consider some sweet whole-grain pasta with olive oil.
9. Honey
For ages, honey has been used as food and medicine. Furthermore, Honey is a natural sweetener. Hence, instead of or going for artificial sweeteners, give honey the first priority. Honey contains antioxidants that can be good for inflammation and protect your cells.
The bottom line
Have you noticed something with the above foods, they are all readily available in the market and are also easy to prepare. There is nothing complicated about them. Thus, eat right and enjoy a healthy life.
