Must-eat foods for a healthy diet

Many people believe that the crux of a healthy diet is the exclusion of unhealthy foods. However, rather than just focusing on cutting things out, a good diet should also incorporate an increased intake of nutritious, health-boosting foods. Fortunately, there are many foods out there which will improve health and wellbeing as well as protect against future illness. Here are 10 of the best foods for healthy eaters to stock up on.

Nuts: Although nuts are high in calories and so should be eaten in moderation, the calories in nuts come mainly from their high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are extremely good for health. Eating foods rich in these fats can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. As well as their heart benefits, nuts are also a great source of protein and are packed with fibre, antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. It is worth noting that peanuts are actually legumes and have different nutritional properties from tree nuts, but there are many other good options to pick from including Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans and pistachios. less

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Fri, Jun 22, 2012 6:00 AM AST (Arabian)