When our bodies are anything less than healthy, we often turn to Western medicine for help. However, there are certain things meds can’t cure, but that simple lifestyle changes can remedy.

For example, your mood, your energy levels, and the quality of your sleep can all benefit from a healthy and varied diet. In fact, there isn’t an aspect of your life that won’t be improved if you start eating your way to a healthier life.

Let’s explore!

What kind of diet should I focus on?

The first thing you want to ask yourself is what your body actually needs.

Different people, at different stages of their lives, living different lifestyles will require different nutrients. Your age, your gender, your overall health, and a whole variety of other factors will influence the way you should be eating.

For example, a senior’s diet should be higher in protein, while on the other hand, a pregnant woman in her 30s will need to focus on specific vitamins and minerals.

Consult your doctor or dietician, or take some time to read up on the subject yourself, before you start making any significant changes. Make sure the sources you turn to are reliable and trustworthy, and double-check all information.

On the other hand, there are certain foods you should be looking into no matter what, so let’s quickly run through some of them and look at how they can benefit your health.

Superfoods to help you live a healthier life

All of these foods should find themselves on most plates:

Green vegetables

Fresh green vegetables are high in micronutrients and will be a great source of vitamins and minerals. You can start by adding kale, broccoli, spinach, and other greens to your diet. Include them in salads and soups, or simply mash them up in a blender and have them as a delicious smoothie.

Protein

Protein is the nutrient responsible for healing and building strength, and it is good at stabilizing blood sugar and energy levels.

Foods rich in protein include chicken, salmon, greek yogurt, eggs, beans, almonds, and soy. Try to go for organic options when you can, and explore a variety of high-protein dishes that are simple to make and that will keep you interested in what you’re eating.

Cold-pressed oils

Oils can be added to salad dressings and dips or drizzled over vegetables, and they are a great source of fat. You need fat to stay healthy, but make sure you get it from quality sources, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and so on.

Seeds

Seeds are not only a great way to spice up any dish, but they also contain all kinds of vitamins and minerals you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. You can add them to salads and other dishes, or you can munch on them as a snack. Toasting them a bit will enhance the flavor, as it helps release some of their aroma.

Go for sunflower, almond, cashew, and other nuts, but do make sure you don’t eat too much. These little bites are also high in calories, and you may not even notice you’ve eaten half of your daily recommended intake in a bowl of nuts.

Citruses

Lemons, oranges, limes, and other citruses are a great source of vitamins, and they can be used to make a simple glass of water more interesting. You can, of course, eat these fruits on their own, but if you’re not really a fan, making yourself a fresh cup of citrusy juice in the morning will be a great way to boost your metabolism.

Berries

Berries are high in antioxidants and are a great way to get some of your five a day in. You can add them to smoothies and oatmeal, eat them with pancakes, or make a simple fruit salad with a bit of honey and have a very delicious afternoon snack.

Herbs

Herbs make your meals that much tastier, and they are also a great source of all kinds of nutrients.

Ginger is great for your immune system, basil is good for your gut health, cinnamon lowers blood sugar level, sage is good for your cognitive functions, and turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory agent, to name just a few.

Add them to your dishes and try all kinds of different combinations that can make even the most boring of meals exciting again.

Final thoughts

Adding some of these foods to your daily diet will help you stay healthier, feel better, and take on life’s challenges with more spring in your step.

Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She’s been a freelance writer for over a decade and loves researching health and wellness topics.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Sarah Kaminski

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