5 Foods you should be eating every day
The foods you eat play a bigger role than satisfying hunger alone. When it comes to your daily diet, making meal plans and keeping track of nutrition can be tricky. Keep things easy with a short list of foods that offer the best health benefits.
Here are 5 foods you should be eating every single day:
1) Oats
- Why: They’re packed full of beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that can lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Really? Yes. Eating 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal a day can help lower cholesterol and may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
- How: Start your morning with a bowl of oatmeal. Cook up a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies. Bake a loaf of honey oat bread.
2) Blueberries
- Why: They have more antioxidants than the vast majority of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants may help protect your body against some chronic health conditions.
- Really? Absolutely. Shoot for 1/2 cup of blueberries every single day.
- How: Add them to a tasty breakfast smoothie. Whip up a batch of blueberry muffins. Mix them in with other fresh favorites for a delicious fruit salad.
3) Garlic
- Why: It has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties thanks to its sulfur compounds (that’s why garlic is so stinky).
- Really?: Give it a chance. You’d be surprised at all the awesome things garlic can do for the body.
- How: If you’re new to the garlic game, here’s how to cook it. Or, if cloves are too cumbersome, keep your kitchen stocked with a bottle of dried minced garlic. Just sprinkle some into your favorite dinner recipes.
4) Broccoli
- Why: It’s a member of the cruciferous vegetable family (along with kale, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) and is packed full of essential nutrients. Plus, it’s super low in calories.
- Really? Oh yeah. Just one cup of broccoli provides 100% of your daily vitamin C and vitamin K, which help protect your body from illness and naturally detox your body.
- How: Learn to love it by dunking it in a delicious dip. Add it to a weeknight stir fry. Think outside the box and cook a pizza topped with broccoli.
5) Yogurt
- Why: It’s packed full of calcium and probiotics, healthy bacteria that help keep your tummy on track.
- Really? Absolutely. It helps build strong bones, reduces your risk for high blood pressure, and can even help you feel fuller for longer.
- How: Go Greek and start your morning with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit. Freeze it to make tasty popsicles. Dip some strawberries in vanilla yogurt and freeze them for a healthy snack.
