What Are Nutritional Foods
A nutritional diet, as recommended by a nutritionist, is any diet that contains all the essential nutrients needed by the body for its proper functioning. A poor diet can be dangerous to an individual, even if the effect isn’t immediate. It could lead to several health complications that cause deficiency diseases like cretinism, diabetes, scurvy, anaemia, marasmus (in chronic cases of malnutrition) and a host of other disorders.
Nutrition goes as far back as 2500BC, in Babylon where the first recorded nutritional advice was engraved on a stone tablet. It warned individuals with internal pain to abstain from consuming onions for three days. It has since then evolved from inscriptions on stone tablets to being a full-time profession. Nutritionists provide insights into the various foods to avoid and the ones to always include in every meal.
Contrary to popular belief, eating healthy is not boring. There are tons of foods that are both healthy and delicious. Now your meals can both be healthy and fun. Listed below are various types of foods and fruits that are both healthy and tasty.
- Seafood
Fish and seafood are one of the best sources for a healthy diet. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and iodine. These are two of the nutrients that individuals can’t live without. Iodine especially is essential in the diet as not enough of it can cause goitre. It’s been scientifically proven that individuals that consume more of seafood tend to have a longer lifespan and lower cases of dementia and cardiovascular diseases.
- Legumes
Lentils, green beans, and kidney beans are packed with various vitamins and minerals and are also very high in fibre. Always cook them very well because they can be toxic when consumed raw (especially kidney beans).
- Meat
A lot of people feel that all meat is harmful. On the contrary, unprocessed and mildly cooked meat is one of the nutritious foods you can consume. Lean beef is one of the best proteins in the world since it’s packed with highly bioavailable iron. Chicken breasts and lamb are low in fat and calories and are usually filled with omega 3 fatty acids.
- Fruits and Berries
This class of food tops the charts when it comes to healthy foods. And it also helps that they taste incredible too. They are usually used as accompanying foods to the main meal. They are high in fibre and vitamin c. There’s even a popular saying which goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Notable healthy fruits to eat include; apples, bananas, avocados, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, oranges, and blueberries. Blueberries are both very tasty and are packed with antioxidants.
- Nuts and Peanuts
They are crunchy and filled with nutrients like vitamin E, antioxidants, calcium, fibres, and magnesium. They include almonds, coconuts, macadamia nuts, chia seeds and walnuts.
- Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are very fulfilling and nourishing foods; they are packed with almost every nutrient we need including vitamin c.
- Dark Chocolate
They are the most delicious food on the list and probably the healthiest. It’s filled with antioxidants, fibre, and magnesium. So just remember this anytime you’re trying to resist the urge to indulge in this creamy goodness. Who knows, chocolate might just save your life.
- Vegetables
There’s no way a list of nutritious foods wouldn’t contain vegetables. It’s available in a wide variety and is one of the most concentrated sources of nutrients. Most vegetables are low in carb and calories and can be found everywhere. Some notable veggies include; carrots (a very popular veggie that’s rich in vitamin A and K), cucumber, kale, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, mushrooms, cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
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