Ok, so I must admit…I’ve been saving this magazine since February, and couldn’t part with it because the cover is so beautiful! I’m finally recycling it, but before I do, I have to share the goods with you.
Real Simple Magazine interviewed a bunch of dietitians and nutritionists to learn the 30 healthiest foods we should be incorporating into our diet.
I don’t usually agree with diet suggestions from magazines (“diet sodas! 100-calorie pack oreos!”) but I knew just from the cover picture that I’d be totally on board with their suggestions. And for the most part, I am. There’s 1 thing on their list that I wouldn’t consider a health food, and that’s skim milk. Here’s an article about it, if you want to learn more about that. I actually don’t recommend dairy as a health food in general, so if you’re going to have milk, I’d stick with organic almond milk or coconut milk. If you do drink cow’s milk, please buy organic! Just my 2 cents. Now read on for the health foods….
Here’s the list they came up with, with a quick tidbit from the magazine about why each one is healthy.
- Mushrooms (protects against breast cancer)
- Whole-grain pasta (fiber)
- Walnuts (omega-3s)
- Nut butters (protein, healthy fats)
- Oatmeal (fights heart disease)
- Barley (high fiber, fights cholesterol)
- Quinoa (complete plant-based protein)
- Lentils (protein, folate – prevent birth defects)
- Bulgur (fiber, B vitamins, calcium)
- Almonds (monounsaturated fatty acids)
- Eggs (B12, protein — buy organic only)
- Greek yogurt (probiotics)
- Chicken (protein — buy organic only)
- Wild Salmon (omega-3s — buy wild, not farmed)
- Sardines (protein, vitamin D, B12, omega-3s)
- Kale (antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium, beta-carotene)
- Kiwi (vitamin C, potassium)
- Blueberries (fiber, antioxidants)
- Broccoli (vitamin C, vitamin K)
- Avocados (fiber, monounsaturated fats)
- Black Beans (antioxidants, magnesium)
- Sweet Potatoes (beta-carotene)
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (monounsaturated fats)
- Edamame (fiber, protein)
- Chard (calcium, B vitamins, beta-carotene)
- Kidney Beans (antioxidants)
- Oranges (vitamin C)
- Spinach (iron, folate, antioxidants)
- Pumpkin (potassium, antioxidants)
I know many of you readers out there are health-conscious, so tell me…do you agree with the list? Anything you’d add or remove?
Alyssa Weldon says
I agree with a few above. But definitely not with greek yogurt, whole-grain pasta, barley, or oatmeal. Wheat-grass on the other hand is amazing for you and oatmeal and pasta that is gluten free is great. I think greek yogurt is the biggest health food scam of all time. Sure it’s good when you think in terms of protein vs fat and calories..but all that dairy in your system cuts up your intestinal walls and creates mucus in your digestive tract that only builds and builds over time. Creating problems like gas, bloating, acid reflux, food allergies, and more. Combine that with wheat and you get a sticky paste in your intestines. Yucky.. I think there are so many incredibly healthy superfoods and raw food that could be added here like cacao, chia seeds, flax, millet, buckwheat, cashews, papaya, coconut(which should be number 1)… I could go on and on! I’m sure you’re on the same boat as me :) keep posting love your articles!!! Making your pomi tomatoe sauce soon!
Terri Marshall says
Hi Jenny! I would add to use only nut butters without sugar added and if you are going to eat the Greek yogurt, eat it plain or with berries and skip the ones with added sugar. In general, it’s a good idea to limit sugar and reduce carbohydrate consumption. Spinach also contains calcium. Love your articles!! Thanks so much for posting.