Staying healthy has everything to do with eating healthy.
Eating healthy means choosing the foods you should be eating and avoiding the ones which can have bad effects on your health.
If you are using a robust wellness portal to track your food, chances are that you are more aware of your consumption of healthy foods. So which foods should you really be eating, and which ones should you be avoiding?
In this post, you will discover common foods which fall on either side of the spectrum.
8 Foods You Should Be Eating
Asparagus – Asparagus is high in folic acid and is also a great source of potassium, vitamin B6 (a component of some energy supplements), vitamin A and vitamin C. Asparagus is also a powerful antioxidant and diuretic which makes it especially helpful for people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Spinach – Spinach is part of the dark green leafy family of vegetables. According to the US Department of Agriculture, spinach is a great source of folate, a vitamin which is helpful in prevent certain birth defects and which promotes heart health.
Kale is another vegetable in the dark green leafy family you can incorporate regularly into your diet.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C which is helpful with wound healing and having healthy gums and skin.
Carrots – Carrots contain lycopene as well offering some of the benefits we mentioned for tomatoes. Additionally, it is fat free, low in salt and an excellent source of vitamin A which helps with the health of your eyes.
Pecans – You can call pecans a super-nut for many reasons. Pecans can help reduce the risk of death due to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Stocking up on nuts is an easy way to eat healthy while at work.
Beans – Beans are special because they contain high amounts of non-animal proteins. They also contain fewer calories than meat. If you are looking to replace your source of protein so you are not heavily dependent on meat, beans are a great alternative. Note: Canned baked beans are generally not good for you due to the sodium content. If you choose to make beans a part of your diet, choose dry beans at the store and cook it yourself at home.
Avocado – Avocados are high in good fats and potassium. Good fats can be used by your body as a second source of energy which allows you to burn fat even faster.
Berries – Blueberries, cranberries and blackberries have been shown in various studies to be protective against dementia, protect against urinary tract infections, combat high blood pressure and promote better digestion.
6 Foods You Should Be Avoiding
Soy protein – For a long time, soybeans and products derived from it like soy milk have been promoted as a good source of protein. However, there is strong research that shows it is not the superfood it was once purported to be. In one study, researchers found that consuming soy actually delayed the menstrual cycle of some women. There are also now more cases of children being diagnosed with soy allergies. While soybeans can be eaten small amounts, the risks outweigh the benefits for certain people.
Microwave popcorn – Who doesn’t love a bag of microwave popcorn with a movie on a Friday night? Microwave popcorn is however, high in sodium and trans fats. On top of that, most bags containing microwave popcorn are coated with a chemical that produce perfluorooctanoic acid. This chemical is linked with increased cancer risk.
Shrimp – While shrimp are a good source of protein, they are the scavengers of the ocean. They feed on dead creatures on the sea bed. In addition, they routinely contain chemicals that are actually illegal chemicals like malachite green and rotenone which have been linked to cancerous tumors in mice and respiratory paralysis respectively.
Agave Nectar – Agave nectar is one of those foods that has also been touted as a good sugar alternative. Agave is however very high in fructose. Fructose may not raise blood sugar as quickly as regular sugar, however over time, it can cause insulin resistance. A condition that usually precedes diabetes.
Diet Soda – There used to be reports that diet soda was bad for you. It turns out most of those reports are unfounded but this does not mean that there is no risk. There are indeed fewer calories in your diet soda compared to regular soda. However, you can eliminate diet soda from your diet because there are a number of low calorie drinks you can turn to like water (sparkling water if you enjoy a good fizz), skim milk or unsweetened tea.
Fruit juice – Fruit juices are very high in sugar. An 8-ounce cup of orange juice is the equivalent of eating 4 oranges. Sitting to eat four actual oranges is a struggle for many. So why drink that much sugar in at once?
Closing Thoughts
Eating the right foods is good not just for your physical, emotional and psychological health. Choosing the right food is essential but it is not always easy. In this post, we shared 8 foods you should be stocking up your refrigerator with as well as 6 which should be minimal or avoided completely. Did you find this post helpful? Please bookmark this post or share it with someone else.
