| Consumption of healthy foods included in a diet | | | | contains. |
| packed with whole, natural, nutrient-rich format are | | | | Healthy foods are excellent sources of vitamins, |
| very beneficial to the well-being of an individual. There | | | | minerals, essential fatty acids, fiber, phytonutrients and |
| are various healthy foods contained in a variety of | | | | the least number of calories. |
| food options. A few of them would include: | | | | Whole foods serve as very healthy foods as they are |
| 1) Vegetables: | | | | not processed and do not contain artificial ingredients. |
| Avocados, beets, broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, | | | | Organically grown foods are healthier on the body and |
| carrot,, celery, fennel, garlic, green beans, green peas, | | | | they are more preferable as they are safe and sound |
| olives, onions, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, | | | | on health. They are the agricultural products consisting |
| tomatoes etc. | | | | of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, grains etc. |
| 2) Fruits: | | | | They do not possess any elements which are capable |
| Apples, bananas, apricots, blueberries, cranberries, figs, | | | | of polluting environment. So they do good not only for |
| grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pears, pineapple, prunes, | | | | your health but also on the health of the planet. |
| raspberries, strawberries, watermelon etc. | | | | Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used on |
| 3) Seafood: | | | | organic products to grow them and they are free |
| Salmon, scallops, shrimp, tuna, cod, halibut etc. | | | | from the use of harmful ingredients. They thus reduce |
| 4) Beans and Legumes: | | | | pollution. |
| Garbanzo beans, black beans, kidney beans, lima | | | | There are more and more scientific findings made |
| beans, soybeans, lentils, tofu etc. | | | | everyday. It is better to make use of these to improve |
| 5) Poultry and Lean meats: | | | | our health benefits. Whole foods are much safer when |
| Chicken, lamb, turkey, beef etc. | | | | compared to isolated dietary supplements and they |
| 6) Grains: | | | | are very effective as they provide disease fighting |
| Oats, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, corn, whole | | | | capabilities. One needs to make a careful choice on |
| wheat etc. | | | | the foods we intake since each food is different from |
| 7) Nuts and seeds: | | | | the other and has healing power based on its |
| Extra virgin olive oil, almonds, cashews, peanuts, | | | | constituents and we also may require to avoid certain |
| pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, sunflower | | | | kinds of foods which have negative impact on health. |
| seeds etc. | | | | A few of the healthy foods provide health benefits for |
| 8) Natural Sweeteners: | | | | one particular health condition but may be harmful to |
| Honey, maple syrup, cane juice etc. | | | | another one. for e.g., small amount of alcohol is good |
| 9) Spices and Herbs: | | | | for the heart and can prevent heart attacks whereas |
| Black pepper, basil, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cloves, | | | | the same alcohol can lead to breast cancer. Hence, |
| cumin seeds, ginger, mustard seeds, turmeric etc. | | | | we need to apply our wisdom to choose which |
| Healthy foods contain the nutrients required by the | | | | healthy foods are best for one's own self. Also, it is |
| body. The nutrient density in certain foods are higher | | | | required to keep ourselves updated on the nutritional |
| than others and hence they are more beneficial. | | | | value of foods so that we can intake them with a |
| Nutrient density is a measure of the amount of | | | | purpose instead of merely pushing them down the |
| nutrients contained in a food in comparison to the | | | | throat or can avoid them if it is harmful even though |
| number of calories. A nutrient dense food contains | | | | there be a temptation. |
| more nutrients when compared to the calories it | | | | |