For many of us our busy lives are ruled by convenience and this causes us to eat unhealthy foods too often, and skip some really great foods that are also great for us.
Below you will find a list of ten foods you should be eating and reasons why.
Healthy Food #1 – Papaya
Papaya seems too big for most westerners to buy because in most stores it is not cut into manageable pieces, an because the exterior is not very appealing. But it tastes great and of all the fruits it has the highest ratio of proteins to fats and calories. It has good fiber and is high in vitamin A.
Healthy Food #2 – Spinach
Popeye had it right – spinach is a great source of just about everything – all the B vitamins, folate for pregnant moms, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc for a healthy immune system. Note that the ONLY thing clinically proven to reduce the time you have a cold is zinc.
Healthy Food #3 – Cabbage
Cabbage is another source of great vitamins and you don’t just have to through it in a salad. You can put cabbage on burgers, eat it in coleslaw, or even Asian style cabbage in your next Chinese dinner dish. Cabbage is just 22 calories of food and contains so many vitamins, it is one of the reason those on an Asian or European diet are healthier. You will find that cabbage contains sulforaphane, which helps boost your immunity to breast cancer.
Healthy Food #4 – Guava
Guava is not very popular in the usa, but it is one of the best fruits to take. Guava contains lycopene, which is an antioxidant that preliminary research suggests fights prostate cancer. You will find that tomatoes and watermelon have some of the lycopene, but it isn’t as much as guava. You can eat the guava plain, make a juice, or have a fruit bowl with bananas and other fruits that also offer you some other great nutrients.
Healthy Food #5 – Bananas
Bananas can be eaten in so many ways, not only as a fresh peeled fruit. Of course we can chop slices in cereal, or make banana bread, or add them to pancakes. But aside from sweet foods, bananas can be blended into other things, like add two bananas to some 1% fat chocolate milk and some ice and blend it. Great icy drink with low calories and fat, while containing great nutrition. Bananas are especially good for athletes recovering from hard workout.
Healthy Food #6 – Cinnamon
Surprisingly cinnamon is a great addition to our diet and many of us don’t get enough. You can add it to many recipes. It is a great way to help reduce your blood sugar and the risk of heart disease. You can just sprinkle it on oatmeal or even in your coffee depending on what you like most.
Healthy Food #7 – Oatmeal
Most of us think of oatmeal as only some mush in a bowl, perhaps with milk or cinnamon. But oatmeal can be added to other things like hamburger patties or breads too. Personally, the bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar is great, while other people add cream and strawberries or other fresh fruits – even strawberry milk or other things.
Healthy Food #8 – Salmon and Tuna
Fish from cold waters contain nutrients that other fish dont, especially omega-3 fatty acids. Tuna is not expensive and has a great protein profile, and can be used in sandwiches, salads, casseroles, etc. Salmon is more expensive, but a single filet can be quickly cooked and used as a main course or added to rice dishes, etc.
Healthy Food #9 – Refried Beans
We normally associate refried beans with Mexican food, but they can be eaten anytime with rice, or scrambled eggs, or anything. Refried beans have no fat and great protein.
Healthy Food #10 – Plums
Plums, especially dried plums which are prunes are another healthy source of food. Prunes offer chlorogenic acid, and antioxidants that are able to reduce the risk of cancer. You will find that prunes are also a great help in regulating the body if you suffer from constipation. You can eat the prunes by themselves or sprinkle them over a prosciutto and back for a few minutes.
Healthy Food #11 – Asparagus
Asparagus is a fantastic food, high in fiber, the highest source of folic acid, B vitamins, potassium, glutathione to protect cells from fee radical, and rutin which strengthens capillary walls.
These are ten suggestions – but the world is filled with great foods that we can add to our diet.
Courtesy of Female Beauty