If you want to improve your health then there are some foods that you should be adding to your diet. If you want to get the most value out of your foods then you need to turn to superfoods which are the nutritional superstars of the food world. Research into these superfoods has shown that they deliver health benefits while being plentiful in nutrients. You may already be eating superfoods like bananas and eggs, but you should look at including some of the more exotic ones into your diet as well, please check out the list of the healthiest foods to eat created by EatCleanDirect.co.uk.
Kale
Kale not only offers a range of cancer-fighting antioxidants, it is also the best source in the world for vitamin A. This vitamin will promote skin and eye health and could be helping to boost your immune system. Kale is also a provider of heart-healthy fiber and a single cup of this leafy vegetable will provide the same amount of vitamin C as an orange.
Sardines
Omega-3 fats are heart-healthy and known to boost your mood. These fat can be found in abundance in sardines and they are also packed with vitamin D. As sardines are a small fish they have the added benefit of not holding many of the toxins that you could be finding in larger fish.
Pomegranate
This vibrant fruit is full of a range of antioxidants which help to mop up the free radicals in your system that cause damage to tissues and may contribute to chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. If you do not have the time to prepare this fruit, then you can get all the benefits from drinking a glass of pomegranate juice. However, you should try tasting the fruit because the tart and jelly-like taste is a true experience. A single cup serving of the juice of this fruit will only have 72 calories, but is packed with 4 grams of fiber.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains 4 grams of soluble fiber for every cup and research into this has shown that increasing your soluble fiber intake by 5 to 10 grams can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol which is the bad one. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition also found that eating a slow-release carbohydrate breakfast like oatmeal 3 hours before you exercise can help you to burn more fat. The reason why, is that the slow-release carbohydrate will not cause a spike in your blood sugar which ensures that your insulin levels do not spike. Insulin plays a large role in telling your body to store fat and having lower insulin levels when exercising will help you to burn the fat.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a whole grain with a delicate flavor that is packed full of fiber and protein. It is easy to make as you only need 10 to 15 minutes to cook it. Research into this grain has shown that the combination of protein and fiber will help you to feel fuller for longer.
Kefir
When you think of Kefir you should think about yogurt in a glass. This fermented dairy drink offers beneficial probiotics which are known to help the immune system and it gives you 29% of your daily calcium in a single 8-ounce serving. It is recommended that you choose the plain variety as it has less sugar and calories than the flavored varieties.
Lentils
Lentils are a very budget-friendly, healthy and versatile addition to your diet. Half a cup of cooked lentils will have 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of dietary fiber. They are also a good source of folate and iron.
