According to studies in Western Europe and the United States, certain food items are healthier than others. In fact, the food items on this list have a wide range of nutrients vital to human health.
A balanced diet has many benefits for every single one of us. Therefore, you can’t go wrong by adding these food items to your grocery cart!
Almonds
Almonds offer plenty of nutrients like iron, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and riboflavin. In fact, according to a meta-analysis in 2019, regular consumption of almonds can reduce the levels of your total cholesterol.
Lentils
This food item is commonly used in Pakistani, Nepali, Indian, Bhutanese, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan food. Lentils provide a lot of magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
While it takes a long time to cook them, they are undoubtedly worth it. Moreover, you can always have the seeds as snacks if pressed for time.
Oatmeal
Thanks to the health benefits of oatmeal, interest in it have gone up in the past two decades. In addition, its popularity surged when the Food and Drug Administration allowed manufacturers to talk about its cardiovascular health benefits and low-fat content.
Aside from this, its soluble fiber brings down risk factors for cardiovascular risk. In addition, oats have complex carbohydrates, potassium, and folate as well.
Kale
This leafy green veggie provides an array of nutrients. It’s also a good source of vitamins K and C. Many people prefer to steam or cook it, although it is also good in juices and smoothies. With all its nutrients, it’s an excellent item to add to your groceries. Millennials are actually onto something here.
Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent source of calcium, fiber, folate, phytonutrients, and potassium. These things help bring down the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Aside from this, it also has powerful antioxidants and sulforaphane. Just be careful not to overcook to avoid destroying essential nutrients.
Avocado
Have you been avoiding avocados because of the fat content? If that’s the case, you should know that it offers good fats and cholesterol on top of vitamins E, K, and B.
In addition, this delicious fruit is also known to improve nutrient absorption and reduce metabolic risk factors.
Sweet Potato
This root crop has dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, and C. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has even compared its nutritional value to that of other vegetables.
In addition, it was also in the top spot for its calcium, iron, protein, complex carbohydrate, vitamin A, and vitamin C content.
Eggs
Eggs are the easiest item to add to your diet unless you are vegan. After all, eggs are known to be versatile. Moreover, they contain vitamins B2 and B12, which help preserve energy and generate red blood cells.
Aside from that, the yolk has most of its minerals, fats, cholesterol, and vitamins. So, as long as you eat it in moderation, you can enjoy the benefits.
Conclusion
Adding these food items to your grocery list will undeniably be beneficial, but balance and moderation are essential. So, don’t focus on a single food type and maintain a balanced diet instead. Of course, an occasional treat will not be wrong, but it is better to eat a nutritious diet regularly.