Last week I shared ten foods guaranteed to help you become slim, fit and healthy. Well, the good news is that we still have more than half to go! So I hope you brought your appetite with you, because I'm not going to waste any time today. Let's get right into the rest of the list.
More from MamásLatinas: 10 Super foods that get you slim & sexy!
Healthy Food #11: Dark Chocolate Not only does chocolate taste amazing, but it's actually healthy, too! Cacao contains flavonoids which help to keep our hearts healthy. They've been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce "bad" cholesterol. Chocolate has also been shown to lower insulin sensitivity, which can help keep our bodies from storing fat.
Healthy Food #12: Edamame This crunchy Asian soybean snack is high in important nutrients like folate, magnesium, and potassium. It's also loaded with fiber and protein, allowing you to fill up on very few calories.
Healthy Food #13: Chia Seeds A gift from the Mayan and Aztec cultures, these little seeds are loaded with antioxidants and are a tasty source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You can sprinkle them on top of a salad or add them to a shake or smoothie to quickly give it an extra nutritional boost.
Healthy Food #14: Broccoli Our parents told us to eat it–and they (as always) were right! Broccoli is low in calories, high in fiber, and is absolutely loaded with vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, calcium, iron, selenium, potassium… you name it, and this super veggie has it.
Healthy Food #15: Tuna This tasty fish is a great source of both protein and iron. It's also supplies us with omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed by both our brains and our heart. The only problem is some tuna can be high in mercury. So to be safe, you want to stick to white tuna, like the albacore version you'd find in cans.
Healthy Food #16: Avocado You can enjoy your guacamole guilt-free because the avocado it contains is amazing for your body. Avocados have healthy monounsaturated fats. They also have a powerful line-up of antioxidants that help fight off disease.
Healthy Food #17: Almonds When you're in the mood for a salty, crunchy snack, before you reach for the bag of potato chips, open up that jar of almonds. They're loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all in one!
Healthy Food #18: Grass-fed beef Lean beef is a great source of iron and zinc, which your brain needs to function. If you buy grass-fed beef, you also get higher amounts of antioxidants like Vitamin E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
Healthy Food #19: Ginger This versatile spice can be used to liven up the flavor of any food. It can also be boiled to make a delicious tea. Either way, ginger has been shown to promote healthy digestion. It's a quick fix for nausea and helps protect your body against viral infections.
Healthy Food #20: Beets This vegetable is like a multi-vitamin in a dark red package. Beets get their color from their high content of betalains, which help fight against inflammation. Beets provide a significant source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, and thiamine.
Healthy Food #21: Pomegranate How can so much nutrition be packed in tiny little seeds? That's what you'll be wondering when you experience the energy pomegranate gives you. You can add them to cereal or salad, use them to liven up a protein shake, or just eat them plain when you want something to snack on.
Healthy Food #22: Spinach No list of healthy food is complete without these amazing vegetable. Spinach is a strong source of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which promotes good eyesight. Spinach is also one of the best sources of calcium there are and contains more iron than beef!
Healthy Food #23: Salmon Another healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This gift from the sea makes you healthy everywhere. So if you want a healthy heart, a functional brain, smooth skin and shiny hair, make sure to eat this fish.
Healthy Food #24: Oolong tea This fat-burning tea is packed with powerful antioxidants. It speeds up your metabolism and actually tells your body to start burning fat for energy. Plus, it tastes great! So you coffee drinkers out there might want to give it a try.
Healthy Food #25: Water No, it isn't the tastiest food or drink on the list, but it is the most important. If you want to be slim, fit and healthy, then good clean water is probably the best thing you can put in your body. Staying hydrated is the key to eliminating toxins and maintaining a healthy metabolism.
This post was originally published on September 9, 2013.
