Top 35 Healthy Foods That are a Must-have in Your Diet

In the trials and tribulations of modern life, the least you can do to deal with all the pressure and stress is to eat healthy food. Now, the term has to be well understood first in order to eat right. What are the foods that can be considered healthy? Can a cube of dark chocolate be called healthy? What about bread? Read on to find the answers in the names of the top forty-five healthy foods.

Berries and fruits (1-6)

#1 Apples

Apples are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and several antioxidants. It is highly filling and can make a healthy snack when you are hungry in between meals.

#2 Avocados

What makes avocados different from other fruits is that they are full of healthy fats, rather than carbs. Their creaminess makes them popular, but they are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

#3 Bananas

You need to make bananas a part of your food diet because they are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber.

#4 Oranges

Though oranges are known for the high vitamin C content, they are also rich in antioxidants and fiber.

#5 Strawberries

Strawberries are also ranked high in terms of nutrition food because they are low in calories and carbs, while being full of manganese, fiber, and vitamin C.

#6 Blueberries

Blueberries are not just delicious, but also tend to be a powerful antioxidant source for everyone.

Seeds and nuts (7-12)

#7 Chia seeds

These are known as one of the most nutrient-dense food options on earth. Just one ounce offers eleven grams of fiber, along with major amounts of calcium, manganese, and magnesium.

#8 Almonds

Almonds come loaded with fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, and vitamin E that help in improving metabolism.

#9 Coconuts

Coconuts are one of the healthy foods to eat everyday because they have a potent fatty acid known as medium-chain triglyceride.

#10 Walnuts

Walnuts are nutritious and full of fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

#11 Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are great for thyroid functions and their buttery and smooth texture makes them pretty tasty.

#12 Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are super rich in mono-saturated fats, while being low in omega-6 fatty acid.

Vegetables (13-22)

#13 Bell peppers

Bell peppers, regardless of the colors they come in, are sweet, crunchy, and a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

#14 Asparagus

Asparagus is low in calories and carbs and rich in vitamin K.

#15 Carrots

Carrots are a good food for health because they are loaded with vitamin K, fiber, and carotene antioxidants.

#16 Broccoli

Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, and fiber.

#17 Cucumber

Cucumber has a high water content, along with being low in calories and carbs.

#18 Cauliflower

Cauliflower is another cruciferous vegetable that is loaded with fiber and antioxidants.

#19 Onions

A discussion on food and nutrition is incomplete without mentioning onions that are full of healthy bioactive compounds.

#20 Garlic

Garlic has bioactive organo-sulfur that helps to improve immune functions.

#21 Kale

The popularity of kale comes from the fact that its loaded with vitamin C and K and fiber. Add it to salads for that extra crunch.

#22 Tomatoes

Though tomatoes are a fruit technically, they are commonly considered a vegetable. These are full of vitamin C and potassium.

Grains (23-25)

#23 Quinoa

Quinoa has become really popular among health conscious people recently. It is high in magnesium and fiber, along with being a great source of plant protein.

#24 Oats

Oats are loaded with fibers known as beta glucans that offer several benefits, such as helping to lower cholesterol and feed the beneficial gut bacteria.

#25 Brown rice

Brown rice is quite nutritious with a decent amount of magnesium, vitamin B1, and fiber. Rice is a popular cereal grain and it’s the staple food for a majority of the world population.

Breads (26-27)

#26 Homemade breads

The best kind of bread is the one that you make yourself. So, try out low carb, gluten-free breads that you prepare fresh at home.

#27 Ezekiel bread

Ezekiel breads are the healthiest variant you can purchase because they are made from legumes and sprouted whole grains.

Legumes (28-31)

#28 Kidney beans

Kidney beans have to feature on nutrition food list because they are full of minerals, vitamins, and fibers. But make sure to properly cook the kidney beans to get the nutrients completely.

#29 Green beans

Green beans or string beans are the unripe common beans that are highly popular and in-demand in Western countries.

#30 Peanuts

Peanuts are yummy to taste and rich in antioxidants and nutrients. However, if you are trying to be careful about the calories, it is always better to stay away from peanut butter that is high in calories.

#31 Lentils

Lentils are the best foods for health if you are looking for a source of plant-based protein. Also, these are rich in fiber.

Dairy (32-33)

#32 Whole milk

Whole milk is the best dietary source of calcium, along with being high in minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats.

#33 Yogurt

It is made from the fermentation of milk by adding live bacteria. Yogurt comes with live cultures that have the additional benefit of gut-friendly probiotic bacteria. Additionally, it has similar health benefits as milk.

Also, you must check our related blog where we have mentioned about junk foods to avoid according to Ayurveda.

#34 Extra-virgin olive oil

It is one of the healthiest types of vegetable oils that has heart-friendly monounsaturated fats. Extra-virgin olive oil is also high in antioxidants that have potent health benefits.

#35 Dark chocolates

Chocolate lovers can rejoice! Dark chocolate is packed with magnesium, and also happens to be a powerful source of potent antioxidants. Additionally, the flavonoids present in dark chocolate helps to stimulate the arterial lining for producing nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure.

So, if these food items are not already a part of your diet, it’s time to change that. Add proper sleep and exercise to your routine as well, and you’ll see the changes in your body soon.

Nutrition

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Zandu Ayurvedic Team

Zandu Ayurvedic Team has a panel of over 10 BAMS (Ayurvedacharya), boasting a collective experience of over 50 years. With a deep-rooted understanding of Ayurveda, they are committed to sharing their expertise & knowledge through our blogs.
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