10 Basic Healthy Foods to Incorporate Into Your Daily Diet

Blueberriesby Susanne Marra

Healthy eating and physical fitness go together, but there are no magic foods that cause you to be one hundred percent healthy by just eating the one food. No, you need a variety of foods from each of these food groups each day. It’s also important to watch the portion size so as not to overeat. Make your mealtimes pleasant and relaxed occasions and your healthy foods will work effectively with your healthy emotions to give you a healthy body.

Try to add these to your diet as often as possible for better health.

1. Berries -

Perhaps you have a favorite berry or, you may love them all,either way you can’t go wrong grabbing some berries as a snack. Try a smoothie made from mixed berries as a luscious dessert. Most berries have a high vitamin C content and some have other beneficial nutrients as well. Great for the circulatory system are blueberries which are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants. Less known Gogi berries are loaded with nutrients that will keep your body fit.

2. Citrus -

You hear citrus and you know you are getting vitamin C to impact your health and boost your immunity. Fully ripened fruits are always the best choice nutritionally. It is also best to get fruit as close to the tree as you can. Picking ripened fruits from the tree at their peak is also best and they should be eaten right away to get the most nutrition out of them. A very good breakfast choice is a grapefruit. As a quick dressing try adding a splash of lime juice to your salad. An alternative dessert could be some orange slices sprinkled with coconut and drizzled with honey.

3. Vegetables -

The variety of vegetables is amazing. For people who are vegetarian or vegan, choosing vegetables to be part of a nutritionally sound diet is a way of life. Your vegetable group provides many of the minerals required in a good diet. For example, you may realize that potassium is necessary for healthy nutrition. Many people claim the benefits of potassium are only found in a single banana. But did you know, you can also get adequate potassium in your diet by eating a stalk of broccoli? Try a salad of fresh young spinach topped with pine nuts and stirred with lightly cooked penne’. Add some feta cheese and a light vinaigrette dressing to create the perfect light luncheon meal.

4. Whole Grains -

Like many of these food groups choosing only one type of grain will not cut it to be nutritionally of the maximum benefit, variety is key. Mixing two or more grains will many times give you a complete protein. One example of this is by mixing together some brown rice with some heat kernels is an excellent choice Adding some nice seasoning to this and you get a dish that is popular in a vast number of countries.

5. Salmon -

Salmon is know for its great nutritional value as well as being a very lean fish. Salmon is loaded with omega-3 oils which can improve the function of the brain. For a nice luncheon dish try baking a whole salmon and seasoning with fresh lime, this is a great choice for dinner any night. You may also add salmon to cold seafood dishes which is very popular.  Authorities recommend you eat salmon twice a week for great nutrition and heart health.

6. Legumes -

A legume is the name for a variety of fruits with a single dry seed. Legumes are sometimes called pods. Examples of edible legumes are soybeans, peas, dried beans and peanuts, among others. Legumes are rich in iron and high in fiber, making them excellent nutritional choices. Peanuts are a type of legume that have been used to make hundreds of different products some edible and others with various types of helpful uses.

7. Nuts and Seeds -

Nature has packed a lot of goodness into small packages. Most everyone has heard of walnuts and pecans which are very good nutritional products, but did you realize that flax seeds are brain food–containing critical non-meat sources of the Omega-3 oil. Walnuts also contain Omega-3 oil.

8. Lean proteins -

You do want to keep these as lean as possible. As a whole, Americans tend to consume far too much protein in comparison to other countries. Try aiming for a small 3 ounce serving of protein. For most people this size is perfect for daily requirements. To keep it lean be sure to trim off all visible fat. Instead of meat you can substitute a vegetable dish made from rice and beans as your protein source.

9. Tea -

If you like green tea you will get a burst of energy. If you prefer chamomile you will enjoy it’s calming effects. Mint teas are know to give you a lift and a great way to start the day is with earl grey. Herbal teas will sooth you they taste great,and they are wonderful for you. Drinking non herbal teas will help keep you alert and give you a boost.

10. Olive oil -

As far as fats go this is the healthiest choice. You can use it on your salad, for a nice dressing mix olive oil with a little vinegar, or it can be used for sauteing foods. To avoid breaking the oil down keep the heat low.

No magic here, but by making these small additions you will be on well your way to better health.

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