In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate seed
The age-old adage, “My body is my temple,” really does speak truth. Taking care of your body is essential for optimal health and well-being. Doing so with a varied diet of whole vegetables, fruits, grains, and plant-based protein will bring you more energy, make you happier, and will give you a radiant “glow.” The following foods are superfoods in themselves, with each providing some form of nutritional benefit, including antioxidants, fiber, and protein. You don’t have to essentially eat all five foods every day, but incorporating one, some, or all of these healthy foods into your regular diet will do you good. It’s also important to note that everyone’s eating patterns vary, and depends heavily on your age, if you’re male or female, and how much you exercise. Take these five healthy foods into account when you opt to upgrade your (I’m sure, already very healthy) diet.
- Oats
Oats are a whole-grain food, known scientifically as Avena sativa. Oat groats, the most intact and whole form of oats, take a long time to cook. For this reason, most people prefer rolled, crushed or steel-cut oats. Instant (quick) oats are the most highly processed variety
Oats, whether you like old fashioned rolled oats or prefer quick oats, most types are good for you. The only exception to this one is instant oatmeal. Beware of instant! The convenient little packets of instant oatmeal are usually laden with sugar and high in sodium. Learn more about instant oatmeal and your health here. Oats, in general, are a healthy whole grain to eat anytime, and is a great way to start your day. What’s more, oats are gluten-free and all its fiber will curb hunger pangs until lunchtime. It can lower LDL, “bad” cholesterol, and has been shown to prevent heart disease. Short on time in the mornings? Try making this 5-minute Pomegranate Oatmeal Burst. Or want the little kiddos to eat healthier? Make this Purple Monster Vegan Oatmeal to get them hooked. And, if you have a slow cooker, this Vegan Coconut Banana Pecan Coffee Cake Oatmeal is worth the wait till morning!
- Berries
A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present.
Berries of all kinds are great every day, antioxidant-boosting foods. From blueberries to strawberries, these little guys are bursting with age-fighting antioxidants, helping your skin look beautifully young. Add a handful of berries on top of a bowl of morning oatmeal. That way, you can get the benefits of both super foods before you even leave your house! Another great option is to bring some berries on-the-go. They make a great, low-calorie snack option. If you’re feeling adventurous, make this vegan Blueberry, Strawberry, Banana Ice Cream Cake. For something simpler, try blending up this Super-Thick Strawberry Shake.
- Leafy Greens
Leaf vegetables, also called leafy greens, salad greens, pot herbs, vegetable greens, or simply greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots
Spinach and kale are among the greens you should be consuming every day. Leafy greens are filled with cancer-fighting phytochemicals, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are shown to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels, among other nutritional benefits.
Advertisement Here are 35 Delicious Ways to Eat More Greens! And check out the health benefits of arugula and kale. And if you’re not convinced, here are 6 More Ways to Eat Your Roughage.
- Apples
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree. Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus Malus. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today
It’s true what they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Or at least it can help. An apple has soluble fiber, keeping you fuller longer, while containing less than 100 calories at that. An apple also counts as 1 serving of fruit. If you’re not keen on eating apples by themselves, try them in a delicious dessert like in this Vegan Apple-Of-My-Eye Pie. And check out these 10 Warm and Fuzzy Apple-Based Recipes!
- Garlic & Onions
Garlic is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion. It is native to Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been a common seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use
The onion, also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the garlic, scallion, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion
Garlic may be able to keep vampires away, but it shouldn’t deter you from its pungent smell. Neither should onions. Both garlic and onions are used as bases in a variety of recipes and each are packed with lots of nutritional benefits. Garlic is packed with antioxidants, so incorporating garlic into your dishes can help fight off sickness. Garlic has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. Onions work similarly to garlic in warding off illness. They have properties that can boost Vitamin C intake and up your immune system. The juice of onions have also been shown to reduce hair loss!
Try caramelized onions on top of this vegan Olive Tart. Or how about trying this Creamy Zinger Garlic Spread? For something simple, try adding minced garlic, onions, or both to this Spicy Mushroom Stir-Fry with Garlic, Black Pepper, and Chives.
6. Watermelon
Watermelon is a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, a vine-like flowering plant originally domesticated in Africa. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than 1,000 varieties. Watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family Cucurbitaceae
Watermelon is 92% water, making it a great choice for hydration. Your food provides about 20% of your fluid intake, and eating water-packed snacks like watermelon can help you avoid subtle, headache-spurring dehydration. Because fruit is high in water, potassium, and magnesium, it helps to offset excess sodium in your diet, too
7. Pineapple
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries
Pineapples are members of the bromeliad family, and are the only bromeliad that produces edible fruit, according to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. The fruit is made of many individual berries that grow together around a central core. Each pineapple scale is an individual flower, or berry. The nutritional benefits of pineapples are as attractive as their unique anatomy. “Pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C and manganese,” said San Diego-based nutritionist Laura Flores. These tropical fruits are also a good way to get important dietary fiber and bromelain (an enzyme)
8. pawpaw,
Asimina triloba, the American papaw, pawpaw, paw paw, or paw-paw, among many regional names, is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, producing a large, yellowish-green to brown fruit.
Pawpaw is very rich in antioxidant nutrients flavonoids and carotenes; very high in vitamin C plus A, and low in calories and sodium. It also .
These are just a few of the many healthy foods out there you could enjoy eating every day! What’s on your list? Let us know in the comments!