Five Best and Worst Foods for Healthy Living

Food is a basic part of our existence and is something that nourishes our body. It has been used as an expression of love, friendship, and social acceptance. We all eat food without even thinking about it. 

But beware there maybe some foods that you pile on your plate and eat that could harm you. Which are these foods? Here it is what to have and what to avoid.

BEST FOODS:

Banana: One of the most valued fruits, the banana is considered to be the tastiest of all the foods in the world. The energy content of the banana makes it very advantageous and filling. The fruit is a fair source of B vitamins, calcium, iron, and potassium. At the same time banana is a fairly good source of fiber making it one of the most useful foods for kids and adult alike.

Beans: All kinds of beans -- red kidney, white gram and black beans are considered to be among the most beneficial foods. They are the richest source of fiber, which plays a very important role in the management of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. At the same time, these beans are very rich in protein and folic acid.

Broccoli: The dark green florets of broccoli are one of the best nutrition bets around as it is rich in vitamin A and C. Both of these nutrients play a role in the prevention of cancer. Apart from these nutrients, broccoli is also a very rich source of fiber. It also contains a good amount of folic acid, calcium, and magnesium. The excellent nutrient composition makes it one of the best foods to be consumed.

Skim milk: Milk is the richest source of calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is required for the development of healthy bones and teeth. According to the latest research, vitamin D also helps in preventing colon cancer. Milk is an excellent source of good quality proteins despite being low in fat.

Whole grain cereals: Cereals provide you with most of your complex carbohydrates. Also, they are a rich source of fiber, which plays an important role in cancer prevention. Fibre also has an added advantage. If you are on weight losing spree, then consumption of high fiber foods at breakfast helps you to lose weight by curbing your appetite at lunch. Cereals also provide you proteins and other important vitamins and minerals.

WORST FOODS:

Saturated animal fats: This includes fatty meats such as pork, beef, and poultry skin. It also includes full-fat dairy foods such as whole milk, cheese, and cream. Though these foods provide you with nourishment, the same nutrients can be obtained from other sources. Besides, the intake of saturated fats should be avoided as they make you prone to heart diseases.

Soda: Drinking soda is full of sugar and artificial sweeteners and often contains caffeine, artificial colors, and flavors which can give rise to numerous diseases such as tooth decay, obesity, and allergies. If you are thirsty, it is better to drink fresh lime juice in clear water as compared to aerated beverages. Drinking soda is a poor choice to quench your thirst.

High-fat snacks/chips: Even though they are made using vegetable oils, these should be avoided. Excess of these oils can lead to heart diseases, besides leading to weight gain. Such snacks are rich only in fat and provide no other nutrient. Snacking on fruits and non-fat whole grains is a better choice.

Nitrates: Many foods, especially bacon and hot dogs, use nitrates to preserve color and to maintain microbial safety. Nitrate by itself is harmless but it gets converted to nitrite, which can form a cancer-causing chemical in your body. Hence if buying preserved meats, look for nitrate-free variety. If this isn't possible, then always have a glass of orange juice along with the meat as vitamin C is known to inhibit the conversion of nitrate to a cancer-causing chemical.

Alcohol: Liquor is something that can cause more problems than all the rest of the foods put together. Consuming alcohol wisely and safely may not cause much harm but being an addict is surely bound to shorten your life considerably. All your body parts get affected due to an excessive intake of alcohol.

Awareness about what you should eat can help you select foods wisely and hence enjoy a meal that takes care of your health.