Cherry Tomatoes – Don’t get us started on bland tomatoes. Luckily, cherry tomatoes have more flavour and are crunchier than those of the regular variety. They make for a good snack and work amazingly well in salads. The best thing about these suckers is that they’re loaded with vitamin A and C and also give your body the fibre it needs to function very un-crappily.
Almonds – These should be everyone’s secret weapon. Not only are they packed with monounsaturated fats, fibre, vitamin E and protein, but they also curb food cravings. That’s fantastic news. As an added bonus these superstars help your body combat cancer and maintain a healthy heart. So the next time you’re confronted with the choice between a cheese puff and this healthy alternative, have the nuts to choose the almonds.
Bananas – We usually underestimate the banana, but they’re an awesome way to get your daily dose of vitamin B and potassium. What’s amazing about bananas is that they boost energy, help keep your ticker healthy, decreases blood pressure and if held in a jacket pocket and pointed forward can even help you rob a bank. If that’s your thing, go for it.
Greens – By now, we all know that eating greens is a good way to stay healthy, but it can’t be stressed enough! Leafy greens like spinach are amazing sources of fiber, lutein, vitamin C beta-carotene, iron and folic acid – all incredible antioxidants.
Berries – It is commonly known that berries are equipped with anti-oxidants that help prevent cancer, but berries are also a great source of fiber and vitamin A & C. Packing your daily diet with berries not only helps battle the big bad “C”, but also improves concentration, cardiovascular health, and boosts your immune system.
Olive oil – Is there anything this oil can’t do? High in mono unsaturated fatty acids (key in protecting your heart from disease), olive oil also maintains a healthy balance between cholesterol levels and serves as a powerful antioxidant. You can even use it to make your hair shinier!
Probiotic Yogurt – Infused with calcium, yogurt helps prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis, but it does other fun stuff as well. Eating yogurt daily prevents nasty bacteria and helps boost the immune system. It goes fantastic with nuts, oats, and fruits, rounding out a pretty good breakfast.
Citrus fruits – Did you know that squirting some lemon juice into your green tea or salad boosts its antioxidant power up to 13 times? Oranges, grapefruits and lemons are great low-fat snacks. Heck, they even taste awesome in a salad! Adding them to your salad also gives your body the ability to absorb more iron from the greens. Cool stuff, huh?
Occasional Delights
Pacific Wild Salmon – Salmon is high in Omega-3 fat and helps your body fight heart disease and attacks. We say ‘wild’ salmon because they have less PCB crap in them than the farmed variety. According to Health Canada PCB are pesky ‘man-made chemicals that were banned from manufacture in North America in 1977.’ They can be transported over very long distances and are still lurking around the environment today.
Sweet Potatoes – We secretly love the sweet potato! It gives you the carbs you need to maintain a healthy level of sanity and has a sweet taste to it. It’s seriously one of the best vegetables out there. It’s packed with vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, and fiber.
Avocado – Avocado is a pretty tasty fruit, but it also has a load of health benefits. Avocado contains oleic acid – stuff your body needs to lower cholesterol and prevent breast cancer. Known as the world’s healthiest fruit, avocado contains essential nutrients like vitamin K, dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper and potassium. Avocado can really help improve your heart health since it also contains folate, a nutrient known for promoting overall heart wellness.
As long as you keep these foods readily available, you'll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle in no time.