Eating right on a budget can be a challenge, but it’s certainly not impossible. Consider this your cheat sheet to the 5 healthy foods (and inexpensive, too!) you should eat everyday for optimum health: leafy greens, nuts, onions, whole grains and yogurt.

#1 Leafy greens
Medical experts call them one of nature’s miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of dark, leafy greens a day could also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

#2 Nuts
Many nutritionists recommend nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts because they’re high in natural fiber. Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay. Goodbye vending machine runs!

#3 Onions
Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. Add them to soups and stir-fry, and just remember — the stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.

#4 Whole grains
Refined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process. As if that weren’t reason enough to choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, a recent study showed that a diet rich in whole grains actually flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.

#5 Yogurt
Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion — if you’re buying the right stuff. Check that the label lists “active cultures” to make sure you’re getting healthy probiotics, and pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

Enjoy these simple solutions to make your life healthier and easier!  Make it your goal to eat from the 5 healthy foods groups (leafy greens, nuts, onions, whole grains and yogurt) and enrich your life from the inside.  You’ll feel and see the difference on the outside!

Adapted from: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/the-5-foods
-you-should-eat-every-day-710199/

Comments

comments