Top 10 Healthiest Foods
Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle building or general health, you undoubtedly understand the value of a solid nutritional plan. Your body is a direct reflection of the foods you eat, so choosing the right foods is paramount to your success. See list below.
The 10 healthiest foods can be a somewhat subjective list and will vary depending on whom you ask. As a personal trainer, I have chosen this list of healthy food based on fat content, fiber content, protein quality, bioavailability, calorie content, nutritional value, and even ease of preparation.
These top healthiest foods are nutrient dense and packed with vitamins and minerals. Some of the 10 best foods to eat have even been shown to reduce many common health problems, including heart disease and cancer.
Incorporate this list of healthy food into your diet to reap their tremendous benefits.
10 Best Foods To Eat
Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc.), top the list of healthy food and are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants. They contain folate, a vitamin that helps prevent certain birth defects and helps body tissues to grow. Try an orange with your breakfast.
Broccoli is rich in vitamins C and A, folic acid, calcium and fiber, and the potassium in broccoli can help reduce high blood pressure. Mom always said to eat your vegetables.
Sweet potatoes are also packed with vitamins A and C which help remove free radicals from the body. They are an excellent choice for weight trainers, as they contain many vitamins and minerals and are a great pre-workout energy source.
Salmon contains some of the highest levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (a poly-unsaturated fat) which have been shown to raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Furthermore, salmon is an excellent source of protein.
Almonds contain plenty of magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron, and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat. A small handful a day is enough.
Spinach is loaded with potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium which can improve eyesight, lower blood pressure and help to strengthen muscles. Popeye was right.
Beans (black, pinto, kidney, etc.) provide a major source of soluble fiber which helps remove LDL (bad cholesterol). They are a good source of protein, are rich in antioxidants and are one of the top healthiest foods.
Brown rice is an excellent source of manganese and a good source of the minerals selenium and magnesium. A complex carbohydrate, brown rice delivers sustained physical energy to power through your workouts.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast (my all-time favorite protein source) is extremely versatile and is a great alternative to red meat. Very low in fat and easy to prepare, the protein in chicken breast can prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.
Water. Although it’s not a food, it is on this list of the 10 best foods to eat for a very good reason. Adequate water consumption can combat fatigue, headaches and back pain, is a natural appetite suppressant, and will help reduce body fat by assuring that your major organs are functioning well.
These 10 healthiest foods should play an integral part in your nutrition plans in connection with a strategic fitness training program.