Healthy Foods That Are Tasty, Nutritious, and Easy to Prepare

To be healthy, you need to eat healthy food. Your food intake needs to be balanced if you want your body to function properly. When you eat healthy, your body burns fat faster and uses more energy. A healthy diet supplies the body with necessary nutrients: carbohydrates, minerals, micronutrients, fluid proteins, and sufficient energy.

To be healthy, you should have the following nutrient-rich foods in your diet: Vitamin C, beta carotene, fiber, protein, fat, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Vitamin C, in particular, is highly important. Deficiencies of vitamin C can cause fatigue, pain, inflammation of the stomach lining, diarrhea, nausea, and bleeding of the gums. However, experts recommend eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables rather than simply relying on fruits and vegetables as the only source of vitamin C. One nutrient rich food is the broccoli leaf. Broccoli contains more than 75% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C.

Studies show that broccoli is one of the best sources of vitamin C. In addition to providing vitamin C in your diet, broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyesight, development of strong bones, and healthy skin. Therefore, eat at least two ounces of broccoli per day. Vitamin A has been linked to the growth of cancerous cells in some studies.

Another nutrient that is beneficial to an individual’s healthy diet is sodium chloride (salt). Low-sodium intake is associated with lower blood pressure and hypertension. However, excessive sodium intake can also be harmful. According to the American Heart Association, excessive sodium intake can lead to osteoporosis and kidney stones. Thus, it is best to limit the amount of sodium that is in your regular diet to help keep your blood pressure and heart rate under control.

Yet another nutrient that is beneficial to a healthy diet is fat. Reducing fat intake can reduce the risk of various kinds of cancer. The fat that you eat can be monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, or saturated fat. Monounsaturated fat is considered better for your health than other kinds of fat because it contains antioxidants that can protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Polyunsaturated fats are also beneficial for your health, but they are not as healthy as unsaturated fats.

Last among the nutritious foods that you can eat is fiber. More than 70% of your body weight is made up of water, so consuming lots of fiber can help you lose weight. There are many kinds of fiber-rich foods such as cereals, beans, and whole grains. However, it is better to avoid refined carbs, such as white bread and pasta, which are loaded with empty calories. Instead, choose brown or whole grain breads, pastas, and wholesome grains.