16 Healthy Foods You Need in Your Diet

Diets are full of tradeoffs. You want to eat the beautiful pizza, but you want to be healthy. You choose the raw veggies instead, but then your taste buds aren’t satisfied. Well, I have good news – tradeoffs are no longer a problem with these 16 healthy foods that taste great and are great for you.

#1 Cinnamon

While we mostly think of it as a sweetener, cinnamon has some super health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial capabilities and will lower cholesterol. There are even connections between cinnamon consumption and prevention from brain diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

#2 Blueberries

They’re small, yummy, and the best of all berries. Blueberries can be used as a snack or a topping to any boring food. Their antioxidants help your heart, memory, and urinary tract. Blueberries are also high in vitamins E and C. Add them to your yogurt or oatmeal for a healthy, low-calorie, and tasty snack.

#3 Sweet Potatoes

Yes, it is acceptable to eat these when it’s not Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes can be a great addition to a nutritious diet! They contain large levels of potassium, a vital mineral what lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. If you’re like me and hate bananas, get your potassium from sweet potatoes instead!

#4 Salmon

My favorite part of going home is my mom’s salmon. If If you like fish, salmon is the way to go! The good kind can be pricey, but it’s worth it. Salmon is full of Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart. If you’re really stubborn and won’t eat seafood, buy Fish Oil supplements to obtain your necessary omega-3 intake.

#5 Dark Chocolate

It’s midnight. You want to sleep, but you just need a bite of chocolate first. The answer? Dark chocolate. It’ll satisfy your desire and it has a ton of cocoa in it, which contains antioxidants to reduce the risk of blood clots and blood pressure. But don’t eat more than a few bites, unfortunately, chocolate is still candy.

#6 Beans and Lentils

Not feeling meat for dinner today? No problem, eat beans instead. They’re full of protein and fiber, and they’re cheap! Also a fun side note – the darker the bean, the more antioxidants it contains. So choose black beans if you’re unsure.

#7 Plain, Nonfat Greek Yogurt

While this may not sound appealing, greek yogurt with no flavor turns into a make-it-yourself type of deal. You can add fruit, almonds, granola, whatever you like. Adding these packs in extra nutrients, but plain, nonfat greek yogurt in and of itself has protein, calcium, and zero added carbs. Also, a little unrelated, it can also act as a healthy substitute for sour cream! They taste pretty similar and yogurt is a lot healthier.

#8 Kale

I feel like I hear and see this word everywhere nowadays. Kale shake, kale salad, kale everything! Kale is full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin K, making it a top cancer fighter. There are tons of ways to incorporate kale in your diet that are delicious as well.

#9 Pumpkin

Pumpkin is another heart disease and cancer fighter. It’s high in Vitamin A and fiber but low in calories, and it can even be a mood booster.

#10 Quinoa

I remember learning about this in Spanish class and just thinking, “what?” Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is a whole grain and full protein, which means it’s basically superman when it comes to your essential amino acids for your metabolism and muscle building. Like kale, there are tons of incredible ways to incorporate it into your diet – my favorite is quinoa salad.

#11 Nuts

Out of all of these, nuts are the best for your heart health, but that’s not their only plus. They contain several nutrients that lower bad cholesterol and boost your immune system. Pecans, almonds, and walnuts are the most popular – they’re small and easy to add to any diet.

#12 Tomatoes

To-may-toe, to-mah-toe, fruit, vegetable, whatever it is, it’s good for you and it’s tasty. Tomatoes are one of the most versatile fruits out there, boasting hefty amounts of vitamin A, K, and C. A salad or a wrap is incomplete without tomatoes.

#13 Seeds

These are probably the easiest to incorporate into your diet, I like to add chia to my water for the day. They’re usually pretty tasteless, so you won’t even know they’re there! From chia seeds to flaxseed, they are power packed with almost every vitamin and mineral you can think of.

#14 Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Oil may remind you of fat, but extra-virgin olive oil is actually really beneficial. Studies show that extra-virgin olive oil can lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise your good (HDL) cholesterol. It’s easy to add to your diet, specifically as a base for salad dressing. Making your own dressing at home is fun and much better for you.

#15 Spinach

This may bring back nightmares from your childhood, but spinach is a great way to up your health. It’s packed with minerals and vitamins. Spinach promotes healthy skin and eyes, and it can prevent birth defects because it’s high in folate. There are several ways to make it, and I promise it’s actually good when you’re not being forcefed!

#16 Broccoli

Another childhood nightmare. Now we know that our moms were right, because broccoli has strong cancer fighting characteristics. It contains compounds that signal to the body to make more enzymes that destroy potential cancer-causing compounds. Eating broccoli also reduces your chances of developing osteoarthritis and diabetes.

Wow can you believe it? Sixteen yummy and healthy foods with significant perks!

Let us know what you think in our comments section!

Spinach Photo credit: @YannGarPhoto via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND