15 Power Foods for Good Health

For great health and fitness, a clean diet full of healthy foods is a must. In this article, I will discuss 15 power foods that every one should be eating almost daily. All of the following foods are low in fat and contain either many vitamins, antioxidants, or are high in protein. In essence, a diet high in these 15 power foods will lead to great health.

1. Almonds

With traditional dieting ideas, almonds don’t sound very healthy. In reality, while about 75% of calories in almonds come from fat, it is mostly in the form of monounsaturated fats, which researchshows can actually help people lose weight. In a recent study, participants with a diet high in monounsaturated fats experienced a 62% greater reduction in their weight/BMI (body mass index), 50% greater reduction in waist circumference, and 56% greater reduction in body fat compared to those on the low calorie high carbohydrate diet. In addition, monounsaturated fats have been linked to a reduction in heart disease.

2. Asparagus

While this vegetable may not produce the best smells, it is extremely healthy. Particularly, asparagus is one of the best sources of vitamin K, which aids the blood in clotting normally. Folate, a nutrient that promotes red blood cell development and cell production, can also be found in large quantities in asparagus. Sixteen other essentially vitamins and minerals can also be found in asparagus, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and tryptophan.

3. Tuna

Both canned tuna and fresh tuna fillets are packed with protein while being extremely lean. But while albacore and light/white tuna have essentially identical amounts of fat and protein, I recommend light/white tuna as they have 3 times less of the dangerous element mercury. But regardless, any type of tuna packs a solid punch of protein. In one can of light tuna in water, there are over 40 grams of muscle building protein and less than 2 grams of fat. Tuna also contains a decent amount of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and eight other vitamins and minerals.

4. Tomatoes

While technically a fruit, tomatoes are classically considered a vegetable and still remain a delicious topping on salads, as well as an important part of Italian cuisine. Tomatoes should be an essentially part of any diet because they are rich in lycopene, one of the most potent natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are significant because they help slow down or prevent the production of free radicals that ultimately can lead to cancer. Studies have also shown links between eating tomatoes and preventing prostate cancer.

5. Quinoa

Quinoa is a little known grain with amazing health benefits. Compared to regular grains, quinoa contains high amounts of protein. Even more impressively, it is a complete source of protein, which means that it contains all nine essential amino acids. In addition, the high levels of magnesium within the grain can help prevent migraine headaches. To top it all off, quinoa has all of the heart healthy benefits of regular whole wheat.

Continue to the next page for more power foods

Sphere: Related Content

Pages: 1 2 3