Dark Chocolate
Don’t give away your holiday chocolate gift baskets yet! Dark chocolate definitely has a place in any weight loss program on the planet thanks to a multitude of health benefits that most people don’t know about! Dark chocolate can actually improve your health while simultaneously staving off potential risk for heart disease. Now, when we say dark chocolate we mean dark chocolate — not the sugar laden, sweet milk chocolate that you find in checkout aisles in grocery stores everywhere. When consumed in moderation you can get a powerful dose of antioxidants as well as a slew of vitamins from your dark chocolate. There have also been studies that showcased dark chocolate leading to elevated brain function. Don’t take this note as a free pass to eat as much chocolate as you want, but be sure to incorporate a moderate amount in your new weight loss diet to keep you going!
Dark Chocolate
Avocado
For someone serious about eating healthy the perfect holiday gift baskets would be filled to the brim with avocados. In many places avocados are quite expensive with their prices reaching over $1.50 per fruit. Avocados are considered a superfood thanks to their high content of healthy fats, different vitamins and minerals, and the existence of their omega-3 fatty acids. It doesn’t hurt that avocados are delicious and flexible when used in your kitchen. You can use avocados as a way to double up on some calories and healthy fats by chopping them up into a sandwich. You can also hull out the center of your avocado, removing the nut, before putting a cracked egg in the center. Bake this avocado in the oven and you’ll get a delicious protein packed breakfast that’ll impress your meal guests.
Avocado
Beans
There aren’t many surprises in the health food world but we might just get one by showing off how beans can help keep your healthy while also getting your individual health insurance rates down. Remember that a healthy body has plenty of individual financial benefits! Beans are often used as a meat substitute for vegetarians but they should also be consumed regularly for people who simply want to adopt a healthier diet for their lifestyle. Taking up to three cups of beans per week is the suggested amount of servings and you should get right on it. Beans have been shown to find cancer, diabetes and even heart disease thanks to their ability to fill you up while avoiding an excess of calories that could lead to being overweight — which exacerbates all of the above health conditions we mentioned. Beans are a great source of both protein and fiber as well as a host of vitamins and minerals. You can incorporate beans into so many different recipes that you’d be remiss to not try and add them to your home cooking menu.
Beans
Eggs
We’ve seen eggs flip flop between healthy and unhealthy more times than lead actors in a romantic sitcom. The truth is that eggs are a bonafide superfood and unless you have a congenial heart or cholesterol issue, you need to incorporate them into your diet. Eggs are considered one of the most nutritious foods on the planet as well as one of the most affordable. An individual large egg will house Vitamins A, B2, B5, B12, Selenium, Folate, Phosphorous and more. You’ll also get a nice serving of protein and healthy fats with a minimum amount of calories. There is really no good reason to avoid having eggs on hand. Eggs also help manipulate your cholesterol, reducing your risk of heart disease and potential for stroke in the long run.
Eggs
Bananas
We aren’t shocking the world by including bananas on our list of incredibly healthy foods. Bananas are one of the most convenient foods on the planet and also one of the most popular. Housed in their own container and filled with vitamins: B6 and C along with a host of minerals, you have no reason to ever skip a banana for lunch or a snack later in the day. In fact, bananas have consistently shown incredible benefits for your cardiovascular system. Bananas have been shown to lower blood pressure while also helping to revitalize your energy levels. Studies have shown bananas to be as effective as sports drinks for endurance athletes. Not only will bananas keep you going but they’ll also help you well after your meal as the delicious tasting fruit is a boon to your digestive track. Eat ’em fresh, chop ’em up on a sandwich, or even throw one into a smoothie. No matter what, get your bananas incorporated into your daily meals!
Bananas
Goji Berries
This delicious little fruit is relatively underrated in the realm of health foods but you should still make sure to incorporate it into your diet. Goji Berries are loaded in nutrients and they have been shown to have a multitude of health benefits. These health benefits include the reduction of anxiety, the improvement of sleep quality, and even weight loss in the long term. Goji Berries can be bought fresh or they can even be bought as supplement vitamins from the pharmacy.
Goji Berries
Raspberries
Raspberries are so delicious that they shouldn’t be considered healthy on principle, yet here we are. Raspberries, and berries in general, should be included in your diet in the proper amounts. Raspberries are high in flavor but low in both fats and calories. You get a serving of antioxidants, dietary fiber, and the healthy phytochemicals that help to stave off various diseases related to aging: cancer, inflammation, and other neuro degenerative diseases. Have ’em by the handful and make sure to focus on getting organic options if they are available. In either case you can add raspberries to the next food on our list for a healthy snack…
Raspberries
Greek Yogurt
Picky eaters might be hard pressed to grab some Greek Yogurt the next time they go grocery shopping, but they still should give it a shot. Greek Yogurt is an improve version of regular yogurt thanks to the reduction in sugar, whey, and lactose during the process. Greek Yogurt comes in a variety of different flavors and it offers you a healthy heaping of probiotics, vitamin B12, and some protein Greek Yogurt is particularly impactful for athletic oriented individuals who need a quick recovery food. The availability of amino acids are a quick shot to your recovering muscles and fiber tears. Add in some of the fruits on this list to your yogurt and you’ll have a healthy, calorie dense, food that you can have for breakfast, lunch, or a random snack.
Greek Yogurt
Wild Salmon
Now we are drifting onto the subject of farmed versus wild food. This is just an extension of the GMO/Non GMO debates that have surrounded the produce section of our grocery stores for ages. Wild salmon are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as a healthy, low calorie alternative to beef for people who still want some meat in their diet. Avoiding farmed salmon can do your body wonders as you’ll be bypassing a ton of chemicals in favor of a fish that has so much more flavor. Salmon also gives you a huge antioxidant boost thanks to the taurine serving you’ll get. Wild salmon on a bed of wild rice with a side of broccoli could be one of the more perfect, heart healthy, meals that we can think of.
Wild Salmon
Broccoli
The O.G. superfood, broccoli rates in at number one on our list of healthiest foods that you need to be incorporating into your diet! While you probably grew up hating the veggie there is no reason to avoid it now that you can understand the health benefits. Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetables family, which includes cabbage and cauliflower, and this is among the healthiest families of food on the planet. You are getting a full load of vitamins and minerals in a tiny and easy to cook package. You can also lower your cholesterol while helping to detoxify your body by adding broccoli to your plate. For the most intense nutritional boost simply steam your serving of broccoli and eat it with a light dash of salt and something to dip the veggie in.
Broccoli
