Everyone wants to eat healthy, but many people struggle to find ways to keep good habits consistently. With so many delicious (but unhealthy) options, it can be difficult to go to the fridge and grab an apple instead of a piece of cake.
To help fix this issue, sometimes the solution isn’t to choose a super healthy food, but rather an alternative that still tastes good without all the negative side effects of sugary processed foods. Here are five foods that can be easy to start off with.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a great addition to your daily routine and go well with just about any meal. On top of being sweet, they’re high in fiber and antioxidants, contain very few calories, and are packed with vitamins C and K.
Blueberries are also a source of potassium. This mineral helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels by preventing the body from retaining sodium (salt) which can lead to high blood pressure if not controlled properly.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that prevent cell damage and help promote good health. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
It also improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Research shows that eating dark chocolate can lower your risk for heart disease by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the arteries.
Dark chocolate also contains magnesium, which is good for bones and teeth. Magnesium helps maintain bone density by supporting calcium absorption into the body. The best part? Chocolate doesn’t just contain more magnesium than other foods and has less sugar than other sweet treats like cookies or cakes, so you can enjoy a delicious treat without suffering from an energy crash later.
Finally, because it isn’t as sweet as other treats, you are unlikely to splurge and eat more than you should – just enough to get rid of your sweet tooth.
Avocados
Avocados are a great source of fiber, folate, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats. They also contain potassium, B6, and magnesium.
They’re so nutrient-dense that you can eat them raw or add them to smoothies or salads for a health boost. You can also use them instead of butter or oil when cooking at home. These are very high in fats, so that overeating can be counterproductive.
Whole Wheat
Whole wheat bread is made from 100% whole grain flour. It contains all the fiber and nutrients found in the entire grain. This makes it a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
A diet high in whole grains can help control cholesterol levels, weight, and blood pressure. As a result, these foods are also helpful in lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases.
Spinach
Spinach is one of the best sources of magnesium, a mineral that helps keep your brain sharp and regulates blood pressure. It’s also rich in vitamin K, which can lower the risk of heart disease by helping prevent blood clots from forming inside the arteries.
Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables out there, with more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C per cooked cup and nearly 40 percent of your daily iron—a great addition to your diet if you’re trying to avoid anemia or boost energy levels.
Many people enjoy eating salads, and replacing normal lettuce with spinach can be a simple yet beneficial change for your health. Lettuce can be up to 95% water, while spinach is much less.
Conclusion
Adding these five foods to your daily routine can really help you achieve your health goals. If you change your diet with these foods or other foods and continue not to see any improvement in your health, it may be time to visit your medical provider as there may be a bigger problem than just food choice.
Each of these foods is packed with nutrients that will help keep your body healthy and strong. And the best part is that none of these will require drastic changes to a diet since they all taste good and can replace foods that everyone eats anyway.
