With dozens of diets and eating fads finding popularity among Indians today, here’s a list of 5 foods that you must include as a part of your diet on a daily basis:
- Green vegetables
Green vegetables especially, the dark, leafy kind such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce are powerhouses of nutrition. Packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber, while low on calories, they help to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. They also help to burn fat, burn enzymes and contribute to anti-aging as well. All in all, plenty of good reasons to stop avoiding them and toss up a quick salad every day.
- Raw Fruits
The nutrients present in fruits are vital for the health and maintenance of your body. Eating a variety of raw fruits every day has benefits that boost the performance of various systems in the body. While berries are high in antioxidants that prevent the body from degenerative cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, munching on bananas helps to ensure proper potassium levels and provides fibre that is needed to lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels. Citrus fruits are a good source of Vitamin C among other nutrients, and of course, one should never forget the common adage – ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’
- Nuts
Don’t go nuts about nuts, but a handful a day of nuts like almonds, walnuts, groundnuts, peanuts, pistachios and hazelnuts have definite positive effects on the body. Loaded with protein, fibre, antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats, nuts are also known to lower harmful cholesterol levels. By consuming them in moderation, and after checking for any possible allergies, they are a must-add to your daily diet.
- Lean protein
Having a helping of lean protein on a daily basis, whether it be chicken, fish, egg whites, tofu, beans and lentils, is highly recommended. Lean protein serves to boost energy, build muscle, burn fats, improve your heart health and gives you a dose of much-needed vitamins. So don’t forget to add a serving of lean protein to your diet atleast once a day.
- Oats
A daily helping of oats, either as oats porridge or masala oats or using the flour to make cheela, idli or dosa, can really benefit your body in the long run. High in fibre, consuming oats on a regular basis is extremely nutritious as they help to prevent weight-gain, lower cholesterol levels, boost energy, lower blood pressure and aid in digestion. So while not traditionally a part of Indian cuisine, it’s easy to see why oats are becoming more popular these days.
