Do you want to supplement your diet with some nutritional foods? That’s great! But when it comes to eating healthy, most of you are familiar with the fundamentals: fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. But there are many more healthy and nutritional food that can benefit your overall health.
This post is here to introduce you to some healthy foods you might not be acquainted with. So, let's get started and learn about these nutritious powerhouses!
Take a look at these top 10 healthiest foods to incorporate into your regular diet. These meals are not only tasty, but they also have several health benefits.
1: Jaggery
Let's begin with a delicious and nutritious treat: jaggery! This natural sweetener is created from sugarcane sap and is high in minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Jaggery, unlike refined sugar, is unprocessed and hence preserves its inherent deliciousness.
Jaggery is also recognized to help with digestion and immunity. It is commonly used in preparing Indian sweets and desserts. You can indulge in its sweet, warm, and caramel-like taste guilt-free!
2: Buffalo Ghee
Buffalo ghee, a clarified butter derived from buffalo milk, is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. It has more beneficial fats than ghee generated from cow's milk, including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Moreover, buffalo ghee has a distinct nutty flavor and is high in healthy fats, vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Buffalo ghee is proven to help digestion, increase immunity, and promote healthy skin. You may cook with it, bake with it, or pour it over your favorite foods for added pleasure!
3: Turmeric
Turmeric has been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for its remarkable health benefits for ages. Therefore, it is popularly known as the "golden spice”. Curcumin, its main component, has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Turmeric aids digestion, increases heart health, and even improves cognitive function. So, why not sprinkle a spoonful of this colorful spice on your food and get the benefits?
4: Lentils
Lentils are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are a good source of plant-based protein. They are available in various colors, including green, red, and black. Lentils can be readily added to soups, salads, and stews, or you can make the world-famous “daal tadka” with them.
Experts believe that lentils help to improve heart health, blood sugar levels, and digestive wellness. So, add these adaptable legumes to your weekly meal plan!
5: Fenugreek
Fenugreek, which is often used in Indian cooking, is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains fiber, iron, magnesium, and manganese. This healthy food helps to improve digestion, manage blood sugar levels, lose weight and boost milk supply in nursing women.
Fenugreek can be eaten by cooking its leaves in an Indian style, adding them to salads, or using its seeds as a spice in curries and stir-fries.
6: Millet
Millet, a gluten-free grain, is gaining popularity as a healthy substitute for classic grains such as ragi, rice, wheat, and bajra. It is high in fiber, protein, and minerals like magnesium and phosphorus.
Millet has been shown to help with heart health, weight loss, and digestive wellness. Millet may be served as roties or a delightful grain bowl.
7: Red Rice
Red rice, commonly known as "cargo rice," is a nutrient-dense whole grain that is becoming increasingly popular due to its health advantages. It contains antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like iron and zinc.
Red rice benefits include improved heart health, controlled blood sugar levels, and help in weight loss. Substitute this nutritional alternative for conventional white rice and enjoy its nutty flavor and chewy texture.
8: Amaranth (Rajgira)
Amaranth, often known as "rajgira," is a gluten-free pseudo-grain that has long been ingested. It contains a lot of protein, fiber, and vital amino acids. Amaranth is recognized to help with bone health, immunity, and weight loss.
You may eat amaranth as porridge, in salads, or even pop its seeds and use them as a healthy topping for smoothie bowls.
9: Chickpeas
Garbanzo beans, often known as chickpeas, are a versatile legume that may be used in several cuisines. They are high in protein, fiber, and essential minerals, including iron and folate.
Chickpeas are recognized to help with digestive health, blood sugar regulation, and satiety. This super healthy food may be eaten in salads, soups, and stews or roasted as a healthful snack.
10: Jowar (Sorghum)
Finally, it's time for jowar. Some people call it sorghum. This gluten-free grain has a high fiber, protein, and antioxidant content. It is believed to help with heart health, digestion, and blood sugar levels.
Jowar can be used as a flour substitute in baking, as a basis for gluten-free flatbreads, or as a nutritious addition to your morning cereal.
In conclusion, including these 10 healthy and nutritional foods in your diet can significantly influence your overall well-being. They have several health benefits, ranging from an enhanced immune system to mental health, weight management, and reduced risk of chronic illnesses.
So, start adding these delectable and healthy items to your shopping list right away. Your body will undoubtedly appreciate this gesture!
Author bio: Kunal Tambe is part of the content marketing team at Two Brothers Organic Farms. With his team, he works tirelessly to create awareness about organic farming, food sovereignty, sustainable practices, nutrition, climate change and a myriad of issues that surround these topics. His content offers value to farmers, the agriculture industry and to end consumers. Besides writing and developing content strategies, he loves adventure sports and listening to classical music.
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