Top healthy foods: healthy foods for a healthier you!

If you're looking for ways to diversify your diet and become healthier, here's a list of healthy foods to incorporate into your meals, plus reasons why you should!

1) Pumpkin (ugu) leaves
Dark green vegetables like pumpkin are high in antioxidants that can reduce oxidative stress within the body.



2) Whole milk yogurt
Not only is yogurt full of probiotics, full-fat yogurt has been shown to increase satiety during meals, which can prevent future weight gain. So if you struggle with weight gain, try to make whole milk yogurt a favourite.

3) Olive oil
Adding this oil while cooking or dressing a salad adds heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats to your diet along with lots of flavour. When it comes to cooking Olive oil is a lot healthy than coconut oil and several vegetable oils.

4) Parsley
Leafy herbs like parsley are great to add to a meal or green smoothie to spike it with essential vitamins E and A.

5) Peppers
Whether you choose sweet or spicy, adding peppers to your diet increases your consumption of capsaicin. Eating this phytochemical can lower risk for type 2 diabetes. I especially love red hot peppers!

6) Grapefruit/ lemons/ limes
These 3 relatives from the citrus pack a huge punch with lots of vitamin C and are great for weight loss and a variety of skin and healthcare needs. These 3 together or apart make a good detox for detoxifying the body and burning fat, especially around the belly region.


 7) Cloves
This spice is not just for holiday treats. Use it in hot breakfast cereal to add vitamin K to your diet to promote healthy bones.

8) Wheatgerm
Wheatgerm is the heart of the wheat kernel. By adding this to smoothies or breads, you can get an extra boost from its high levels of zinc to improve your immune system.

9) Black/ brown beans
Canned or fresh black/brown beans are a great source of plant protein and folate to promote long-term health. If you're looking for meal ideas, try my favourite, boiled beans and fish sauce.

10) Turmeric
This ground yellow spice has been used for homeopathic remedies and was linked to a decreased risk for inflammatory diseases like cancer.

11) Avocado
Adding avocado to a meal increases your consumption of heart-healthy fats and blood pressure- controlling potassium. Avocado is also a good weight loss food. Fun ways to eat avocado include using it as bread spread.

12) Peaches
Either fresh or frozen, peaches are high in "good" cholesterol promoting niacin and vitamin C.

13) Garlic
Garlic may not be a favourite amongst sweet smelling spices (for some people including me) but it's been linked to reducing the growth of abnormal cells. It is also used as a homeopathic immune
system booster and has respiratory benefits amongst other health benefits. When mixed with honey, it's great for combating cough.

14) Sesame seed oil
This oil is a great substitute for canola (rapeseed) oil due to its high level of vitamin E which reduces free radicals in the body.

15) Thyme
This fresh herb is easy to grow at home and is a great source of vitamins A and C. I love to add it to my fish or meat sauce, thanks to its rich taste. I believe most people do too.

16) Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar has a natural acidity which gives meals a kick that can have a positive impact on your heart.

17) Tomatoes
This versatile ingredient is full of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant which can reduce risk for various cancers. Some of its skincare benefits include skin lightening.

There you have it! These healthy foods can revitalize your health and possibly increase your life span, so go on and add them to your meals if you're not doing that already! Tell us, what are your favourite healthy foods?
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