All too often, seemingly healthy snacks are secretly loaded with sugar, saturated fat, and carbohydrates. That’s why we handpicked the healthiest foods to eat that are delicious and incredibly easy to cook.
After all, rule number one for sticking to a smart meal plan is to not get bored, and these healthy ingredients will keep you on your toes (promise!).
You’ll notice something that all these healthy foods have in common: each one is a basic ingredient, such as a fruit, vegetable, grain, or dairy product. That means no pre-packaged products with a laundry list of strange-sounding ingredients.
You can use this as a rule of thumb when shopping: if the food is simple, wholesome, plant-based, and minimally processed, you’re in good shape. (Literally.)
Now, on to the healthiest foods to eat list.
Oatmeal keeps cholesterol in check, helps fight against heart disease, and keeps you full until lunch, thanks to its soluble fiber. Look for old-fashioned or steel-cut varieties.
Try this: For a savory breakfast, drizzle cooked oatmeal with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan, or try this oatmeal recipe with spinach and poached eggs.
You’ll get nearly 20 percent of your daily dose of fiber in one 1/2 cup serving of avocado, plus cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats.1
Try this: For a side dish, halve an avocado, drizzle with soy sauce and fresh lime juice, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Or try avocado toast.
Walnuts are a solid source of omega-3 fatty acids—the fats that lower the bad-for-you cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good-for-you kind (HDL).
Try this: For a healthy on-the-go snack, pack a handful of walnuts with some dried figs and a few anise seeds. (As the ingredients sit together, the anise releases flavor.) Or try this Corn Salad With Feta and Walnuts recipe.
Meaty and filling, as a stand-in for beef, mushrooms can slash up to 400 calories from a meal.
Try this: Sauté sliced mushrooms and shallots until tender. Add a splash of white wine and cook until evaporated. Serve over roasted fish or chicken. Or try Mushroom White Pizza.
