While there are many factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, there are certain foods you may want to include in your diet to help you feel your best.
Cruciferous vegetables are one such group of foods that can add a nutritious boost to your life. Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, radishes, bok choy, and arugula. These vegetables are high in fiber, which is important for digestive health and blood sugar control, and are high in important nutrients including folate, vitamins C, E, and K. They are also great sources of phytonutrients, compounds in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Broccoli sprouts are one super-nutritious cruciferous vegetable that contains about 10 times more of the anti-inflammatory compound sulforaphane than other vegetables!
Berries are another nutritious food to consider adding to your diet. In particular, frozen berries can be a budget-friendly and healthy addition. Fresh fruit is often picked before it is ripe and can deteriorate during transportation and storage. Berries that will be frozen, however, are picked at peak ripeness. This is when they contain the highest levels of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Freezing allows for the preservation of these key nutrients, and they will last longer.
Other foods to consider adding to your diet are nuts and seeds. While types of nuts and seeds will vary in nutrient content, they are a delicious and convenient source of protein, fats, and vitamins such as magnesium, copper, manganese, selenium, and vitamin E. One brazil nut, for example, contains over 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake for selenium. Another delicious and powerful nut is the baruka nut, which is an excellent source of protein, fat, fiber, as well as vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. Basil seeds are another powerful seed that is high in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Since nuts and seeds can provide a balance of protein, fiber, and fat, they can be great to snack on before fruit or other higher-sugar food so as to blunt the blood sugar response. Consider sprinkling these power-houses on salads, in smoothies, or eat them on their own for a nutritious addition to your diet.
Cruciferous vegetables, berries, and nuts, and seeds all make excellent and delicious additions to an overall balanced diet.
