Foods That Are Super Healthy

It’s easy to wonder which foods are healthiest. A vast number of foods are both healthy and tasty. By filling your plate with fruits, vegetables, quality protein sources, and other whole foods, you’ll have meals that are colorful, versatile, and good for you. Here are incredibly healthy foods. Most of them are surprisingly delicious. 1. Apples Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, and numerous antioxidants. They are very filling and make the perfect snack if you find yourself hungry between meals. 2. Avocados Avocados are different from most other fruits because they’re loaded with healthy fats instead of carbs. They are not only creamy and tasty but also high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. 3. Bananas Bananas are among the world’s best sources of potassium. They’re also high in vitamin B6 and fiber and are convenient and portable. 4. Blueberries Blueberries are not only delicious but also among the most powerful sources of antioxidants in the world. 5. Oranges Oranges are well known for their vitamin C content. What’s more, they’re high in fiber and antioxidants. 6. Strawberries Strawberries are highly nutritious and low in both carbs and calories. They’re loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and manganese and are arguably among the most delicious foods in existence. 8. Lean beef Lean beef is among the best sources of protein when consumed in moderation and is loaded with highly bioavailable iron. 9. Chicken breasts Chicken breast is low in fat and calories but extremely high in protein. It’s a great source of many nutrients. Again, feel free to eat fattier cuts of chicken if you’re not eating many carbs. 10. Lamb Lambs are usually grass-fed, and their meat tends to be high in omega-3 fatty acids. 11–15: Nuts and seeds Despite being high in fat and calories, nuts and seeds may aid in weight loss (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source). These foods are crunchy, filling, and loaded with important nutrients that many people don’t get enough of, including magnesium and vitamin E. They also require almost no preparation, so they’re easy to add to your routine. Some people develop nut allergies as they grow older. If you have a reaction after eating any kind of nut, eliminate it from your diet. 11. Almonds Almonds are a popular nut loaded with vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber. Studies show that almonds can contribute to weight loss and improve metabolic health (5Trusted Source). 12. Chia seeds Chia seeds are among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. A single ounce (28 grams) packs 11 grams of fiber and significant amounts of magnesium, manganese, calcium, and various other nutrients. 13. Coconuts Coconuts are loaded with fiber and powerful fatty acids called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). 14. Macadamia nuts Macadamia nuts are very tasty. They’re much higher in monounsaturated fats and lower in omega-6 fatty acids than most other nuts. 15. Walnuts Walnuts are highly nutritious and loaded with fiber and various vitamins and minerals. 16. Brazil nuts Brazil nuts have a smooth, buttery texture; are loaded with nutrients; are beneficial for thyroid function; and are one of the best sources of the important mineral selenium. 17–26: Vegetables Calorie for calorie, vegetables are among the world’s most concentrated sources of nutrients. There’s a wide variety available, and it’s best to eat many different types every day. 17. Asparagus Asparagus is a popular vegetable that is low in both carbs and calories but loaded with vitamin K. 18. Bell peppers Bell peppers come in several colors, including red, yellow, and green. They’re crunchy and sweet and are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C. 19. Broccoli Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that tastes great both raw and cooked. It’s an excellent source of fiber and vitamins C and K and contains a decent amount of protein compared with other vegetables. 20. Carrots Carrots are a popular root vegetable. They’re extremely crunchy and loaded with nutrients such as fiber and vitamin K. Carrots are also very high in carotene antioxidants, which have numerous benefits. 21. Cauliflower Cauliflower is a very versatile cruciferous vegetable. It can be used to make a multitude of healthy dishes and also tastes good on its own. 22. Cucumber Cucumbers are one of the world’s most popular vegetables. They’re very low in both carbs and calories, consisting mostly of water. However, they contain a number of nutrients in small amounts, including vitamin K. 23. Garlic Garlic is incredibly healthy. It contains bioactive organosulfur compounds that have powerful biological effects, including improved immune function (6Trusted Source). 24. Kale Kale has become increasingly popular because it’s incredibly high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and a number of other nutrients. It adds a satisfying crunch to salads and other dishes. 25. Onions Onions have a very strong flavor and are very popular in many recipes. They contain a number of bioactive compounds believed to have health benefits. 26. Tomatoes Tomatoes are usually categorized as a vegetable, although they are technically a fruit. They are tasty and loaded with nutrients such as potassium and vitamin C. More healthy vegetables Most vegetables are very healthy. Others worth mentioning are artichokes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, eggplant, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, squash, Swiss chard, turnips, and zucchini. Fish and seafood Fish and other seafood tend to be very healthy and nutritious. They’re especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids and iodine, two nutrients that most people don’t consume enough of. Studies show that people who eat the highest amounts of seafood — especially fish — tend to live longer and have a lower risk of many illnesses, including heart disease, dementia, and depression (7Trusted Source, 8, 9Trusted Source). 27. Salmon Salmon is a type of oily fish that’s incredibly popular because of its excellent taste and high nutrient content, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains some vitamin D. 28. Sardines Sardines are small, oily fish that are among the most nutritious foods you can eat. They boast sizable amounts of most nutrients that your body needs, including calcium and vitamin D. 29. Shellfish Shellfish ranks similarly to organ meats when it comes to nutrient density. Edible shellfish include clams, mollusks, and oysters. 30. Shrimp Shrimp is a type of crustacean related to crabs and lobsters. It tends to be low in fat and calories but high in protein. It’s also loaded with various other nutrients, including selenium and vitamin B12. 31. Trout Trout is another type of delicious freshwater fish, similar to salmon. 32. Tuna Tuna is very popular in Western countries and tends to be low in fat and calories and high in protein. It’s perfect for people who need to add more protein to their diets but keep calories low. However, you should make sure to buy low mercury varieties. 33–35: Grains Whole grains are an important addition to your diet because they provide a variety of micronutrients and fiber and are fuel for your body. Just keep in mind that they’re relatively high in carbs, so they’re not recommended for those who are on low carb diets. 33. Brown rice Rice is one of the most popular cereal grains and is currently a staple food for more than half the world’s population. Brown rice is fairly nutritious, with decent amounts of fiber, vitamin B1, and magnesium. 34. Oats Oats are incredibly healthy. They’re loaded with nutrients and powerful fibers called beta glucans, which provide numerous benefits, including helping to lower cholesterol and feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. 35. Quinoa Quinoa has become incredibly popular among health-conscious people in recent years. It’s a tasty grain that’s high in nutrients such as fiber and magnesium. It is also an excellent source of plant-based protein. 36–37: Breads Many people eat a lot of highly processed white bread. If you are trying to adopt a healthier diet, it’s helpful to compare product labels and choose the bread with the most dietary fiber and the least added sugar. 36. Ezekiel bread Ezekiel bread may be the healthiest bread you can buy. It’s made from organic sprouted whole grains, as well as several legumes. 37. Homemade low carb breads Overall, the best choice for bread may one you can make yourself. Here’s a list of 15 recipes for gluten-free, low carb breads. 38–41: Legumes Legumes are a great plant-based source of protein, iron, and fiber. While it’s true that legumes contain antinutrients, which can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption, it’s possible to reduce or eliminate antinutrient content by soaking and properly preparing them (10Trusted Source). Therefore, legumes are a great plant-based source of protein. 38. Green beans Green beans, also called string beans, are an unripe variety of the common bean. They are very popular in Western countries. 39. Kidney beans Kidney beans are loaded with fiber and various vitamins and minerals. Make sure to cook them properly, because they’re toxic when raw. 40. Lentils Lentils are another popular legume. They’re high in fiber and are among the best sources of plant-based protein. 41. Peanuts Peanuts (which are legumes, not true nuts) are incredibly tasty and high in nutrients and antioxidants. Several studies suggest that peanuts can aid in weight loss (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source). However, if you’re monitoring your calorie intake, you may want to be mindful of your consumption of peanut butter, which is very high in calories and easy to eat in large amounts. 42–44: Dairy For those who can tolerate them, dairy products are a healthy source of various important nutrients. Full-fat dairy seems to be the most nutritious option, and studies show that people who eat the most full-fat dairy have a lower risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes (13, 14Trusted Source). If the dairy comes from grass-fed cows, it may be even more nutritious because it’s higher in some bioactive fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin K2. 42. Cheese Cheese is incredibly nutritious — a single slice may offer about the same amount of nutrients as an entire cup (240 ml) of milk. Many people also consider it one of the most delicious foods. 43. Whole milk Whole milk is very high in vitamins, minerals, quality animal protein, and healthy fats. What’s more, it’s one of the best dietary sources of calcium. 44. Yogurt Yogurt is made from milk that is fermented through the addition of live bacteria. It has many of the same health effects as milk, but yogurt with live cultures has the added benefit of friendly probiotic bacteria. 45–46: Fats and oils Dietary patterns that include unsaturated fats and oils are considered very healthy. 45. Extra-virgin olive oil Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest vegetable oils. It contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and is very high in antioxidants that have powerful health benefits. 46. Coconut oil Coconut oil is a saturated fat, but it contains MCTs and may have similar health effects to olive oil (15Trusted Source). However, coconut oil has been shown to increase LDL (bad) cholesterol to a greater degree than other plant-based liquid oils, so it should be used in moderation (16Trusted Source). 47–48: Tubers Tubers are the storage organs of some plants. They tend to contain a number of beneficial nutrients. 47. Potatoes Potatoes are loaded with potassium and contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need, including vitamin C. They’ll also keep you full for long periods. One study analyzed 38 foods and found that boiled potatoes were by far the most filling (17Trusted Source). 48. Sweet potatoes Sweet potatoes are among the most delicious starchy foods you can eat. They’re loaded with antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin A, and all sorts of other healthy nutrients. 49. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar may help regulate postmeal blood sugar levels when consumed with a meal, though more evidence is needed on its effectiveness (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source). It’s great to use as a salad dressing or to add flavor to meals. 50. Dark chocolate Dark chocolate is loaded with magnesium and is one of the most powerful sources of antioxidants