50 Foods That Are Healthy - And How You Can Use Them

A lot of the time it may feel like every product in the supermarket is trying to convince you that it is the most healthy and most impressive of the lot. Well, we’re going to tell you how to pick some genuinely healthy ingredients, and then use them to your advantage!

Fruits and Berries

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Fruits and berries are some of the easiest healthy foods to get into your diet as they require little to no preparation. Here are some of our favorites!

Apples

Apples are very filling since they’re full of fiber - this makes them a great snack for in-between meals! They also have a wealth of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Avocados

Avocados are loaded with healthy fats instead of other good stuff, though they do have fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. They make a great addition to a salad!

Bananas

Bananas have an incredibly high level of potassium, such that they’re actually recommended to maintain joint health. Try them as a snack!

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the most powerful sources of antioxidants out there, making them a stupendous snack. We’d recommend throwing a few in your morning cereal.

Oranges

Oranges have a great vitamin C content, which can be just what you need if you’ve come down with a cold. Try them as juice or in a smoothie!

Strawberries

Strawberries have very low carbs and calories and are loaded with vitamin C and fiber. Try them as a snack with some balsamic vinegar!

Eggs

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Eggs have had somewhat of a whirlwind in health food circles - they have been praised for centuries but were demonized for a short while as they’re high in cholesterol. However, a new study shows that they’re perfectly safe, healthy, and a great source of protein to boot!

Meats

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It can be tough to know which types of meat are the healthiest. Well, we’re here to help!

Lean Beef

Lean beef is one of the best protein sources on the planet, and it also has a huge amount of iron in it! Low-fat cuts are great in a balanced diet.

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breast is low in fat and calories but super high in protein! A great way to eat chicken breasts to reap the benefits is to grill them with some herbs and serve them on a salad!

Lamb

Because lambs are typically grass-fed, their meat tends to be extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids - that’s great for brain health!

Nuts and Seeds

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Nuts and seeds are filled with nutrients and made great, protein-dense snacks for people with a plant-based diet.

Almonds

Almonds are loaded with vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber. Try them toasted on top of a salad, they add a great crunch!

Chia Seeds

A single ounce of chia seeds has eleven grams of fiber, and a huge amount of magnesium, manganese, calcium, and a number of other nutrients. Try them in porridge!

Coconuts

Coconuts have fatty acids that are great for brain health, as well as fiber for gut health. Try a few pieces of coconut as a snack!

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts’ unique flavor makes them really tasty, plus they’re high in healthy fats! Try them as a tasty snack.

Walnuts

Walnuts are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals - plus they make a great addition to a salad!

Veggies

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Who could forget veggies? Calorie for calorie, they’re the most nutritious food on the planet, and it’s important to eat a lot every day.

Asparagus

It’s high in carbs and calories, but loaded with vitamin K. Try roasting some, and then tossing it with some fresh lemon juice!

Bell Peppers

These crunchy, sweet veggies are delicious as well as being super high in vitamin C. They make a great snack when paired with some hummus!

Broccoli

Broccoli is an incredible cruciferous veg that can be eaten raw as well as cooked! It’s a great way to get vitamins C and K, and it has a good amount of protein too. Try it in a stir fry with some beef!

Carrots

Carrots have a lot of fiber and vitamin K - try them roasted with garlic for a spin on the classic side.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a wonderful veg that can be used for nearly anything. However, we can’t escape the deliciousness of cauliflower cheese!

Cucumber

Cucumber contains a lot of vitamin K, and is great on a salad or as a snack!

Garlic

Garlic can do wonders for your immune system, especially when paired with ginger in garlic and ginger paste!

Kale

Kale is high in fiber and vitamins C and K. It adds a great crunch to salads, or can be roasted until crispy as a snack.

Onions

Onions are used everywhere, and contain a number of bioactive compounds believed to have health benefits.

Tomatoes

While technically a fruit, tomatoes have a great amount of vitamin C, making them another cold-buster!

Fish and Seafood

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Fish and seafood is really great for you, containing lots of different healthy fats and organic compounds.

Salmon

Salmon contains protein and omega-3 fatty acids making it great for brain health!

Sardines

Sardines are extremely nutritious, they have a lot of nutrients per gram and pack a flavor punch!

Shellfish

Shellfish are as nutrient-dense as organ meats such as liver and can be amazing in a great stew.

Shrimp

Shrimp is typically low in fat, but really high in protein. It is also packed with selenium and vitamin B12! Try these tasty morsels lightly fried in garlic and white wine - a wonderful starter.

Trout

Trout has a nutrient profile similar to salmon, but it has a different flavor. Try using trout in a fish pie!

Tuna

Tuna is low in fat and high in protein - it’s perfect for people who want a high-protein diet! Try tuna on a loaded baked potato!

Grains

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Brown Rice

Brown rice has a decent amount of fiber, vitamin B1, and magnesium to boot. Try using it as a healthier alternative to basmati!

Oats

Oats have powerful fibers called beta-glucans, which are extremely healthy! Try making some flapjacks that you can pack with nuts and dried fruit.

Quinoa

Quinoa has fiber and magnesium as well as plant-based protein. Try it steamed on a salad!

Bread

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Bread is a huge staple around the world, but it’s worth knowing that highly processed white bread isn’t great for you. To eat a better alternative, try some of these!

Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel bread is made from organic, sprouted whole grains as well as several legumes. Try it toasted with a generous helping of grass-fed butter!

Homemade Low-Carb Bread

The best choice for bread is bread you make yourself - you can be certain of what is in it. Try making your own bread in a dutch oven for greater texture throughout the loaf.

Legumes

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Legumes are incredible once properly soaked and prepared, so try them sometime soon!

Green Beans

Green beans are unripe varieties of common beans. They’re great for you as they pack a lot of plant-protein into a small amount of mass.

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans have a huge amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Make sure to cook them, as raw kidney beans can be toxic.

Lentils

Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and are high in fiber too. Try adding a generous scoop to a stew you’re making!

Peanuts

Peanuts are actually not a nut! They are very high in nutrients and antioxidants, and can be eaten with a salad for an interesting textural difference.

Dairy

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If dairy comes from grass-fed cows, it can be the most nutritious thing in your diet!

Cheese

A single slice of cheese can offer the same amount of nutrients as a cup of milk! Try not to go overboard though, as it does have high-fat content.

Whole Milk

Whole milk is a great source of calcium, try using it on your cereal or simply in a glass out of the fridge.

Yogurt

Yogurt has a number of probiotic bacteria in it which can contribute to great gut health. Try it with some berries as a snack!

Fats and Oils

Butter From Grass-Fed Cows

This butter contains nutrients such as vitamin K2, and is delicious on a sandwich or toast!

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been shown to help you lose belly fat, and may aid Alzheimer’s! Try a small amount in a curry, it’s likely to taste wonderful too.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is one of the healthiest vegetable oils out there - it is good for your heart and packed with antioxidants. Try using this to cook your food in!

Tubers

Potatoes

Potatoes have a lot of potassium, and contain vitamin C too! Try them cubed in a goulash for a textural delight!

Sweet Potatoes

These delights are loaded with antioxidants and all sorts of healthy nutrients. Baked sweet potato fries make a great side and are healthy too!

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is very popular in the health community - it can help to lower blood sugar levels and cause a little weight loss too. Try mixing it with a little extra virgin olive oil to make a wonderful vinaigrette!

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has a lot of antioxidants and is loaded with magnesium. Try melting a cube or some shavings into your porridge - it’s a taste sensation!

What is healthy food?

Healthy food is generally considered to be any food that has a good ratio of good qualities to bad qualities. For example, beans are healthy as they have a lot of nutrients and protein but little fat. Red meat, however, has a lot of protein but also has a lot of fat and processing ingredients.

Is Mediterranean food healthy?

Generally speaking, yes! Mediterranean food focuses on a combination of lean meat and a lot of fresh veggies. This means that a lot of traditional Greek or Italian food contains a lot of fish and local vegetables. Therefore, the overall nutrient quantity is very high!