While takeout can be tempting on a lazy Sunday evening, it’s important to also prioritize nourishing your body with the right nutrients. Unfortunately, some of the healthiest foods often don’t have the most appealing reputation. This article highlights a list of nutritious foods that many people tend to avoid, but that offer significant health benefits.
Beetroot
Beetroot is known for having an earthy taste and staining many clothes, but it’s also high in fiber, folate, and manganese. This powerful root vegetable can even improve athletic performance, so it’s certainly a great food to include in your diet. To give it a more appealing taste, you can roast or pickle it.
Liver
Eating an internal organ doesn’t sound very appealing, even if you do eat meat. However, liver is packed with nutrients and is especially high in vitamin B12. It’s also a source of active vitamin A, so the benefits it reaps are well worth putting up with the taste.
Sardines
Cooked and Loved writes, “Sardines have an acquired taste and this is the most common obstacle for why people avoid them.” Sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are also a great source of vitamin D. Great ways to eat them include adding them to salads or grilling them.
Tempeh
Tempeh is fermented soy, which doesn’t sound too appetizing. However, this food is high in protein, probiotics, and fiber. It can even reduce cholesterol levels, making it a great food to keep your heart healthy. You can marinate tempeh before cooking, and this should improve its flavor.
Seaweed
After seeing what seaweed looks like after a day at the beach, it’s not surprising when people say they don’t want to eat it. Also known as the ocean’s vegetable, this food is packed with vitamins, minerals, and iodine. You can add it to soups and salads to give your foods a boost of vitamins.
Turmeric
This potent spice has many health benefits. For example, Hopkins Medicine writes, “The active ingredient in turmeric is a natural compound (polyphenol) called curcumin, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.” Mix turmeric with black pepper to increase absorption, and add it to curries and sauces.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These foods are known as a powerhouse for your gut because they help to improve digestion and immunity. If the taste is too strong to start with, then you can eat small amounts until you adjust to the taste. Many supermarkets also offer flavored probiotic yogurts, which make a great alternative.
Garlic
Garlic is a pungent food, but it’s also incredibly healthy. It can combat sickness and even help if you have the common cold. This small food may even help to lower blood pressure. You can use it as a way to flavor your main dishes, either by roasting them or chopping them up finely.
Ginger
Ginger is a spicy root that can be overpowering if you eat too much of it. Ginger has great germ-fighting abilities; for example, WebMD writes, “Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs. They’re especially good at halting growth of bacteria like E. coli and Shigella, and they may also keep viruses like RSV at bay.”
Chia Seeds
These tiny seeds hold so many health benefits. They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. They also improve your metabolism. If you don’t want to eat them on their own, then they’re a great food to add to smoothies and yogurts.
Spinach
Spinach is best known as the dark green leaf that Popeye used to eat. Its color and leaf form can make it off-putting, but spinach is a superfood with many health benefits. The food is an excellent source of iron, magnesium, and folate, and it’s also high in antioxidants.
Avocado
Health.com writes, “Avocados contain healthy fats, anti-aging, disease-fighting antioxidants, and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.” Avocados are rich in heart-healthy mono-saturated fats and are packed with fiber and potassium. There are many ways you can eat an avocado, such as in a smoothie or on toast.
Lentils
Lentils come from the legume family and are a great source of protein and fiber. They can even lower the risk of heart disease, so they’re a great food to incorporate into your everyday diet. If you want to add flavor to them, then try cooking lentils with spices and using them to create stews and soups.
Kale
Kale is known to have quite a bitter taste, which can make it off-putting. However, it also has a ton of health benefits. For example, Medical News Today writes, “Kale can be good for adding fiber and antioxidants to the diet in many savory dishes, salads, and smoothies. Various benefits include managing blood pressure and boosting digestive health.”
Brussels Sprouts
As soon as Brussels sprouts are served during the holidays, everyone turns up their nose. But they’re a great vegetable to add to your diet, thanks to being rich in vitamins and minerals and helping to protect against cancer. To improve the flavor, you can try roasting them with garlic.
Quinoa
Quinoa is quite a misunderstood grain, and this doesn’t make it a primary food choice. The grain has lots of protein and nine essential amino acids, making it a great choice to keep your body healthy. It’s also high in fiber and vitamins and can be added to salads for lunch or used as a rice replacement for dinner.
Tofu
Many people think tofu is a bland meat replacement that’s just for vegetarians. This isn’t the case, as it’s also incredibly healthy for you. Healthline backs this by writing, “It is a nutrient-dense food that is high in protein and contains all the essential amino acids your body needs.” To add flavor, you can marinate tofu before cooking.
Broccoli
Broccoli is seen as a detestable tree, but it’s also incredibly good for you. This is supported by the Cleveland Clinic, which writes, “The ‘little trees’ are full of fiber, folate, vitamins and more.” It’s full of vitamins C and K and contains bioactive compounds that can protect you against cancer.
Whole Grains
People prefer the taste of white bread, rice, and pasta, but this doesn’t mean it’s the healthiest option. When purchasing carbs, try to opt for ones that are barley, wholegrain rice, or wholewheat. They’re high in fiber and can reduce the risk of heart disease.