Healthiest Foods on Earth

In order to get the most out of our bodies, we must be knowledgeable about what we are putting into it. Each body has different demands made on it, so each body requires different food and nutrients to be put into it. Being informed about the healthiest food options is the first step to prolonging the health and wellness of your body, from the inside out. Earth is 24,000 miles around at the equator, which leaves lots of room to grow the healthiest foods the planet has to offer, meanwhile, many of us still flock to the “Healthy Aisle” at best at our local food store rather than a local farmer’s market, or even growing food in our own backyard. I get it, not everyone has a green thumb. And not everyone has the list of the healthiest foods on earth, either man made or supplied from our own home planet.

Salmon

Is salmon the chicken of the sea? Just kidding, but it might as well be. Contrast to its lack of fishy flavor, salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which directly aid your heart and circulatory health. As usual, opting for fresh and wild over farm raised has its benefits, but I know depending on where you live, that might not be possible on the regular. Salmon, as one of the healthiest foods on earth, is a great source of vitamin D which helps strengthen bones, as well as niacin which can help protect against Alzheimer’s and memory loss, protein for muscle strength, and increase the vitality of your hair and skin. A surprising addition to the benefits of salmon is that it can help to prevent the risk of developing depression because of the omega-3 fatty acids.

Potatoes

Baked potatoes. French fries. Potato chips. Tater tots. Potatoes come in so many glorious variations. While all of these do not offer sufficient nutrients, the healthy preparation of a potato is full of great vitamins and makes it one of the healthiest foods on earth! A red potato, prepared without all the goodness of butter, contains about the same amount of cell building folate as one cup of spinach or broccoli. Perhaps even more healthy and tasty, even without all that marshmallow sweetness on top, sweet potatoes contain vitamins A and C, and are a great source of plant based protein. Loaded with beta carotene, sweet potatoes boost your immune system and decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Almonds

Almonds are one of the healthiest foods on earth and are also one of the most convenient! Their ability to be an on-the-go snack allows you to throw them into your purse or kids backpack for a snack between meetings or on the way to soccer practice! Great for those with an iron deficiency, per 100g of raw almonds, they offer 20 percent of the recommended daily value. In addition to strengthening bones and teeth, the can help prevent heart attacks, lower bad cholesterol, can help your brain function better and are a great source of healthy fat, helping you feel full longer. The protein in almonds is great for building lean muscle, as well as the vitamin B2 which can add an energy boost and keep you going all day.

Raspberries

The more berries in your diet the better, but raspberries stand out among the rest as one of the healthiest foods on earth! There’s no harm in bulking your freezer up on this fruit to add to your smoothies at a moment’s notice. High in fiber and low in fat, raspberries are a great way to add flavor to your diet without sacrificing your daily success. Rich in antioxidants, raspberries help your body battle against free radical damage. Additionally, raspberries are a great non-dairy way to add some calcium to your diet. Having natural anti-inflammatory, these little red berries can help ease the pain and uncomfort associated with arthritis, not to mention, they’re just plain delicious!

Spinach

One of the most nutrient rich and healthiest foods on earth is also one of the most versatile. It can be eaten raw in a salad, sautéed, and even blended into a smoothie since it’s virtually tasteless. Protect yourself against free radical damage with the antioxidants that are found in spinach. Two of the most important immune boosting antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, are great to promote eye health. Also, they can help you feel full without adding a whole sum of calories to your intake. Chock full of essential vitamins and minerals, spinach is a great source of daily iron, folate, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

Beans

We know that fruits and vegetables contain lots of healthy antioxidants, but black beans boast these substances too, making them one of the healthiest foods on earth! Black beans are a great source of non-dairy calcium and non-animal protein, but they also contain fat, and i’m talking about the good kind. Their low fat content helps to maintain a healthy weight because they will keep you feeling full for longer. As a carbohydrate, they take longer to digest which also helps you feel full longer. Additionally, the fiber found in black beans helps regulate your digestion.

Dark Chocolate

Okay, I admit it, I have a severe sweet tooth, so I had to include my favorite vice in here somewhere! But I swear this isn’t a hoax. Dark chocolate can actually benefit your health! Packed with minerals, dark chocolate contains potassium, selenium and zinc, and most bars even contain some iron! Additionally, dark chocolate can replace bad cholesterol and replace it with levels of good cholesterol, which could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease. It’s good for the brain! And I’m not just saying that because I’m a dark chocolate fan. Flavanols, which are found in dark chocolate, have been found to reduced memory loss in older individuals, as well as having healing properties for those who have suffered minor brain injuries, such as concussions. Best of chocolate makes you happy, which is just down right good for the soul.

Broccoli

Ahhh broccoli. The trees of life. But really, they are great for your health, as long as you don’t douse them in cheese sauce or butter. I know the struggle is real. Broccoli can be purchased frozen or fresh, depending on how often you go shopping and will eat it. Opting for organic is the best choice for overall nutrients, but we’re not here to judge. The vitamin C in broccoli is more than enough to help your body ward off any illnesses, and the best way to keep all that vitamin C in the veggie is to microwave, believe it or not. Steaming or boiling broccoli can lose up to one-third of the nutrient. The high levels of fiber in the veggie keep everything in working order on the digestive tract. Vitamin B6 can help keep your metabolism on point and the excessive, but necessary, amounts of vitamin K aid bone health, as well as benefit your heart and eyes. Fun fact is that broccoli is a great non-dairy way to get some calcium into your diet, as well.

Avocados

Avocados are more popular than ever. And that’s not because of the cool, big seed in the middle. Avocados are ripe with nutrition, making them one of the healthiest foods on earth. For instance, the high levels of monounsaturated fats in avocados help you feel full longer without the consequences of stuffing your face with a Big Mac to quench your hunger. Boasting more than half the fiber you need for a daily diet, avocados also have folate needed for your daily diet which can help aid against heart disease. Vitamin b6 can help with healthy digestion and adding avocados to your salad can be an easy way to get the most out of your meal, since they increase the absorption of key nutrients found in other ingredients in your salad.

Kale

Often lumped with or mistaken for spinach, kale deserves a shout out all its own as one of the healthiest foods on earth! Go kale! As versatile as its green cousin, it can be used as a salad, a side dish, or added to a smoothie to pack it full of kale’s vitamins! Kale is a great addition to any diet because it can fill you up without all those calories! Kale is full of manganese, potassium, B vitamins, fiber, copper, and calcium, as well as disease fighting vitamins K, C, and A. Kale also boasts a reputation for having an impressive amount of protein for a veggie.

Beets

For some, just thinking about eating beets sends a look of disgust to their face. But believe it or not, one of the ugliest foods is actually one of the healthiest foods on the planet. High in nutrients and vitamins, beets can be added to a smoothie for a boost in all the great things they offer. The boron in beets helps boost you sexually, the folate helps prevent against heart disease and and cancer, and the magnesium can help keep you energized. Boost your immune system with the vitamin C that is available in beets and keep your digestion on track with the fiber.