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The first step towards living a healthier lifestyle is making sure that you stock up your fridge with healthy foods to eat everyday. Not only could this help you reduce and manage your weight, but it also keeps you healthy whilst protecting you from numerous illnesses.
Despite the advocacy for a healthier and more wholesome diet, one can be left wondering as to what foods you need to eat every day to become healthy. In this article we are going to give you a detailed list of healthy foods to eat everyday and their benefits, as well as show you how to eat healthy foods every day.
Every year, more and more food companies go out of their way to increase the amount of processed foods that end up on the shelves of our local supermarkets. According to the World Health Organization, this increase in the production of processed foods, rapid urbanization, and lifestyle changes in the population has led to a shift in dietary patterns.
Sadly this shift is anything but good. People are ending up consuming foods that are high in energy, fats, free sugars, and salt/sodium, while everyday, eating less and less of wholesome and healthy meals. If this sounds like you and you are wondering what foods to eat every day to be healthy, your first step should be looking towards a healthier diet.
This is a meal plan that heavily emphasizes on the consumption of all the major food groups i.e.:
The foods you should eat every day to stay healthy must all fall in the above-mentioned categories. Your healthy diet should also:
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On this list, we will be outlining the best healthy foods to eat every day (or at least several times a week) as well as their nutritional and health benefits.
Berries are considered to be among some of the most nutritious foods in the world and if you can, they should be among your top 10 healthy foods to eat every day. They are great for your health because:
Harvard Medical School suggests that you should consume berries (strawberries and blueberries) at least three times a week.
Like berries, oily fish should also be on top of your top 10 healthy foods to eat every day. Popular examples of oily/fatty fish include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna, and albacore, etc.
The biggest benefit of consuming oily fish is that they are quite rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for numerous cellular functions, such as signaling, cell membrane fluidity, and structural maintenance. Not only are they great sources of protein, but they have also been shown to reduce inflammation and potentially lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis (4).
Lean meats are a great source of protein but unlike other kinds of meat, they are lower in calories and saturated fat thus are better for your heart health and great for diabetes patients. Poultry on the other hand is a good source of selenium, vitamins B3 and B6, and choline.
Eggs are a great source of protein and make fantastic snack and breakfast options easily making them wonderful alternatives for healthy foods to eat every day. According to the USDA, one whole boiled or poached egg (about 50 g) has about 71.5 calories, 6.28 g of protein, 4.76 g fat, 28 mg calcium, 71 mg sodium, and 69 mg of potassium, among many other nutrients and vitamins, including choline.
The protein found in eggs helps with weight management as protein affects your hunger and satiety hormones making you feel full for longer thus you end up eating less calories. The macronutrient also requires more energy to digest which helps burn more calories.
That aside, eggs help with the maintenance and repair of muscles (because of protein), help with brain health, lower the risk of heart disease (by raising good cholesterol), promote good vision, and prevent macular degeneration, which leads to age-related blindness.
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They should be part and parcel of healthy foods to eat every day. The best examples of nuts include peanuts, almonds, cashews, and Brazil nuts while the best types of seeds include but are not limited to chia, flax, hemp, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
Nuts are good for you because they are high in protein, fiber, healthy fats, minerals, and other nutrients. E.g. peanuts contain B vitamins which have been linked to the growth of red blood cells, good eyesight and digestion, as well as proper nerve and brain function. Almonds are rich in calcium and vitamin E which are good for strong bones as well as improved immunity and cell regeneration, respectively.
Many kinds of nuts also have magnesium which has been shown to help with the prevention of migraines, fight against inflammation, help fight against type II diabetes and lower blood pressure. Seeds are also rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which are all great for you.
For vegans, legumes and lentils are among their top 10 healthy foods to eat every day. Examples of legumes include green peas, soybeans, chickpeas, mung, tonka, and all other kinds of beans.
They are rich in plant protein, fiber, B-vitamins, iron, folate, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. Not only are they low in fat, but they are also practically free of saturated fat and have no cholesterol because they are plant protein (3).
Leafy greens should always be included to the list of healthy foods to eat every day, as vegetables should always account for about half of your plate. Your leafy greens options include examples like arugula, bok choy, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, collard greens, etc.
Not only are they low in calories and fats, but they are also rich in a combination of vitamins A, C, and K; several B vitamins, folate and potassium which promote weight control, heart health, helps prevent certain birth defects, promote bone health, and prevent inflammatory diseases. Consuming two to three servings per week of any of the above-mentioned greens has been shown to lower the risk of stomach, breast and skin cancer.
With eggs, oats are also some of the most popular healthy foods to eat every day for breakfast. Not only are they nutrient-dense, very filling due to being rich in fiber and full of antioxidants, but they can also help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar levels, and relieve constipation.
They are not just great for your Instagrammable avocado toast. Avocados are full of minerals and nutrients and healthy fats, which make this fruit good for your heart health, vision, and bone health. They have vitamin K, which prevents osteoporosis, improves digestion and lowers the risk of depression. Folate, a nutrient found in avocados, has been linked to the protection against colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers.
Read More: How To Eat Avocado For Weight Loss: Eating Fat To Burn Fat
They include options such as black, brown and wild rice, oatmeal, millet, popcorn, quinoa, barley, bulgur etc. Unlike refined grains, which have been stripped of all their nutrients, whole grains have all their nutrients including fiber, B vitamins, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
When consumed, whole grains help with controlling blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel movement, are good for your heart health, and may protect against some cancers.
They include options such as sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, squash, yams, plantain, corn, and pumpkin. They are a good source of energy, fiber, calcium, B vitamins and iron. Starchy vegetables are healthy sources of complex carbohydrates. It is recommended that such foods should be prepared in healthier ways such as boiling, baking, steaming or roasting.
Now that you know what foods to eat every day to be healthy, how can you make sure to keep consuming these wholesome foods without dieting? Here are some tips to keep in mind next time you sit down to eat:
There is no easier way to determine what foods are best for you than by reading the labels on the packets/cans. While at your favourite grocery store, always take a minute to compare the nutritional values of different brands. You might be surprised at how much calories, sugars, and salt you can cut out of your daily intake by doing this.
We get it, the freezer food section of the supermarket always looks more enticing as it means less preparation during meal time. After all, who wants to always be slaving over a stove at the end of a long day – unless they are getting paid to do it?
While these foods may take a shorter time to cook, they are often overly processed, which means that they have been stripped of all their essential nutrients and full of added salt or sugars which are quite unhealthy. Forget the instant ramen, frozen pizza and other premade meals and go for healthier and fresh alternatives.
According to Harvard School of Public Health, there are four types of processed foods:
While minimally processed, culinary ingredients, and processed foods are perfectly fine for consumption, ultra-processed foods should be avoided at all costs as they are a leading cause of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Take a day to clear out your fridge and pantry of all unhealthy meals and snacks. Without them in the house, you are less likely to reach for them thus increasing your chances of reaching for the best healthy foods to eat every day.
Not only do sugary drinks increase your risk of diabetes and obesity, they have also been linked to liver damage, premature aging and anxiety.
Mindfulness is the practice or being present in the moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. While combined with eating, it requires you to pay attention to how your body feels before, during and after consuming certain foods. If you pay close attention to your eating habits, you are likely to find that you generally feel better and more energized after consuming the options listed in the above top healthy foods to eat every day.
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If you would like to increase the amount of healthy foods to eat every day, switch out your snacks for healthy options.
Meal and food prepping has become quite popular not only because it reduces your cooking time during the week and busy days/nights, but also because it ensures that you always have healthy foods to eat every day. If you unsure how to prepare food or meal prep, check out meal prepping ideas on YouTube.
A balanced diet is one that includes all the five food groups and fulfils your nutritional needs. According to the USDA’s recommendations, you can achieve a balanced diet by:
By consuming a balanced diet you are assured that your plate will always be filled with at least two to three options of healthy foods to eat every day.
Healthy foods to eat every day are many and varied. The main trick to consuming them is by making conscious decisions to always buy healthier and more wholesome options and always meal prep to ensure that you have these foods at the ready.
The above list of healthy foods to eat every day will help protect you from numerous chronic illnesses. It will also help with weight loss and weight management. Please be sure to consult a doctor or dietitian for a more in-depth look and help concerning this.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!