While many foods can be considered healthy, some are surprisingly loaded with sugar, saturated fat and carbohydrates. Here are some foods to eat instead: Oatmeal is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and it helps to keep cholesterol in check while keeping you full until lunchtime. Steel-cut oatmeal contains soluble fiber, and you can add spinach to your favorite recipe for an even better breakfast. The best part? Oatmeal is also extremely delicious!
Foods that are nutrient-dense
The benefits of eating a more nutrient-dense diet are huge. It can reduce your risk of chronic health problems. A variety of foods are nutrient-dense, but a few stand out as particularly good choices. Among these are vibrant fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and nuts. You can make these choices a habit and include them in your daily diet. To get a head start on eating more nutrient-dense foods, try to read about some of the best options.
Foods that provide fiber
The best foods that provide fiber for health are the ones that are found in plant-based products, such as fruits and vegetables. For an extra fiber boost, eat the skin of fruits and vegetables. They contain the highest concentration of fiber of any food. Apples are a great example, containing four grams of fiber per serving. But you can get even more fiber from other fruits and vegetables by eating the entire fruit, including the skin.
Foods that contain antioxidants
Many foods have antioxidant properties, making them healthy choices for our bodies. The best sources of these compounds are fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products. Some of the most popular sources of antioxidants include green tea, dark chocolate, and red wine. The presence of color in foods indicates its antioxidant content. Antioxidants come in many forms, and the widest variety of colors in foods can offer the highest concentrations of beneficial compounds.
Foods that are high in potassium
Dark leafy greens are excellent sources of potassium. Spinach has nearly a thousand milligrams per cup cooked, while Swiss chard contains almost a thousand. Bok choy has 445 milligrams per cup cooked. Leafy greens contain potassium when they are raw, but cooking increases the amount of antioxidants found. This makes them particularly good for your heart health. To increase your intake of potassium, include them in your diet.
Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids
There are many foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, but the most beneficial sources of these essential fatty acids are fish and flaxseed oil. Fatty fish such as salmon are the best sources, as they feed on plankton and algae, which are rich sources of omega-3s. A three-ounce serving of wild salmon contains 1.8 grams of omega-3s. Soybeans are a good source of omega-3s, as are chia seeds.