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What Should We Eat for the Best Nutrition?

Similar to water, sleep and air, food is essential to life. The foods you consume determine the health of your body. A balanced, nutritious diet is essential to your body's functioning. Depriving your body from the nutrients it needs can result in a lack of energy and an impaired immune system making your body less able to fight off illnesses. To maintain good health, there are various foods you can eat on a daily basis.

  1. Fruits and Vegetables

    • A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are essential in a healthy diet because they provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk for chronic diseases, including stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Watermelon, greens and carrots contain vitamin A and C, which are essential to avoid infections, maintain healthy skin and absorb iron. Sweet potatoes, mangoes and kidney beans are rich in potassium and help keep your blood pressure stable. Folic acid, found in broccoli, helps red blood cell formation and aids in the prevention of birth defects.

    Whole Grains

    • Whole grains contain vitamins and minerals, such as selenium, magnesium, folic acid and B vitamins. They protect you from chronic diseases, help you maintain a healthy weight and healthy nervous system, and they promote digestive health. Because whole grains digest slowly, you stay fuller longer and your blood sugar stays stable. Good sources of whole grains include oats, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, barley and quinoa.

    Low-Fat Dairy

    • Dairy products provide your body with calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Good sources include milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose low-fat products to keep an excess of solid fat at bay. To maintain healthy, strong bones, a combination of calcium and vitamin D are essential because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. A diet that includes low-fat dairy products is believed to lower blood pressure in adults and reduce risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

    Lean Protein

    • Lean protein, such as chicken, fish, turkey, unsalted nuts and seeds, contain B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin E. Seafood, including salmon, trout and herring, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which helps prevent heart disease. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends you eat 8 ounces of seafood per week. Avoid fatty protein sources, such as beef, lamb and pork, because these are rich in saturated fats, which increase bad cholesterol.

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