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5 Foods You Probably Aren’t Eating Enough of

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Today’s Guest Post by Cassie

There’s a popular adage that “you are what you eat.” In the past century, this has proven problematic. Foods have become more processed, and it has become harder to know where they come from. Today, though, the movement to healthier foods has dramatically changed how we eat both at home and when we dine out.

Even so, it can be tricky to eat a diverse, balanced array of healthy foods. The main things standing in our way are availability, convenience and what we can actually agree on as healthy—surprisingly this seems to change nearly every day. To help maintain a balanced diet, having some tasty recipes or knowing good vendors is quite helpful.

If you’re new to healthy eating, there are lots of YouTube channels to show you where to find quality ingredients and how to prepare them. Sometimes content restrictions might block access, but using a VPN is an easy way to get around this. But you don’t need to wait to know everything to start eating healthy. Instead, to get started, consider incorporating more of these tasty and nutritious foods into your diet wherever possible.

 

  • “Non Dairy Yogurts”

 

Outside of dairy, alternative yogurt remains a truly outstanding creation. Besides being loaded with tons of beneficial bacteria, non-milk based yogurts make for a great protein-rich snack.

Proteins are crucial, especially complete ones. Without them, none of your body functions can work correctly. It’s especially important to consume a variety of different types, particularly if you don’t consume meat, as many plant-based proteins require combinations to get all the essential amino acids.

For best results at home, eat some yogurt in the morning and before bed to keep protein levels high. Hemp yogurt is one of the best, but coconut based yogurts are also good.

 

  • Oats

 

Oats don’t immediately jump out as “exciting,” but don’t be so quick to write them off. They’re one of the few foods certified by the FDA to actually be good for heart health, and they really deserve the credit.

Other welcome benefits of oat consumption include increased control over blood sugar for those with diabetes and decreased appetite for everyone else. The fibers in oats help slow the rate our stomach empties, reducing the rate at which sugar is introduced into our body. This slow down also keeps us full for longer, which staves off that pesky hunger feeling.

Besides being versatile for granolas and breakfast, oats are also a great ingredient for sweets and breads. Their high fiber content makes them excellent for digestion and helps keep your blood sugar from spiking. Pair them as granola with yogurt for best results (and some berries for taste.)

 

  • Avocados 

 

These fatty little green fleshed fruits aren’t just a side you pay extra for at Chipotle. They’re one of the healthiest sources of fat you can get. High in fiber, B vitamins, folate and monounsaturated fats, avocados are great for a number of different recipes.

You’ll often find them in ethnically Mexican foods, but they go with almost any dish. They make a great addition to vegetarian-styled meals and can even be ground up with cocoa powder and sugar to make a delightful vegan pudding.

Note that there are two main types of avocado: Hass and Florida varieties, with Hass being small and dark while Florida avocados are large and green. Their flavors are slightly different as well, Hass having the stronger (and currently more popular) taste.

 

  • Apple Cider Vinegar 

 

Far from just being a fad in the healthy world, apple cider vinegar deserves a spot in the food hall of fame as an incredibly diverse ingredient. It makes a fantastic addition to salads and dressings, adds zing to otherwise dull meals and even works double duty as a cleaner.

It can also be used as a morning supplement to aid in digestion (it helps your stomach pH or acidity level reach the desired mark so you don’t overproduce), although we recommend against drinking it straight. Instead, mix it with some water.

Note: you should always buy apple cider vinegar with the “Mother” still in it. Real vinegar should be murky when shaken, indicating it hasn’t been filtered of all its nutrients.

 

  • Asparagus

 

This unique vegetable deserves a special place on all of our plates. Best known for its peculiar ability to change the aroma of urine, asparagus is composed of a highly unique composition of vitamins and minerals not typically seen together.

Like its unusual appearance, asparagus has some very unique benefits. It contains numerous different anti-inflammatory agents, all of which can aid in reducing the likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as arthritis and even ALS.

For best results, asparagus should be blanched for just a few minutes. It’s also okay to steam or cook in oil, but the nutrients are more properly preserved if cooked for a shorter amount of time. It also maintains its characteristic “crunch” when cooked for a shorter time, although it may prove more difficult to chew (and digest).

Is there something you think we should all be eating more of? Tell us what you think below.

About the Author: Cassie considers herself a lover of foods and technology, so she dedicates much of her time to blogging about one or the other. When she’s not writing about her interests online, she’s usually looking for something new and exciting to eat.

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1 Comment

  1. maurosau's Gravatar

    Really interesting, thanks Ali.

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