The Top 10 Ingredients You Need for Healthy Recipes
Healthy recipes are more popular than ever and for a good reason. Poor dietary
habit beats out other unhealthy habits such as excessive drinking, smoking, and drug abuse when it comes to taking people’s lives.
The first step to a healthy diet is knowing how to prepare healthy recipes, and preparing healthy recipes require basic knowledge of healthy ingredients we should have in our kitchens. Read on and discover the top ten healthy ingredients we need for preparing healthy recipes.
1. Berries
Berries are great antioxidants, which mean they help prevent certain diseases by protecting our cells from damage. Foods rich in antioxidant also improve the quality of our skin and hair. You can use berries in making salads and smoothies.
2. Eggs
Eggs are excellent sources of protein, which helps our bodies build and repair muscle tissues, maintain healthy weight, and prevent certain diseases such as breast cancer. Common recipes are omelettes and poached eggs.
3. Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables such as kale, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and spinach contain lots of vitamins and minerals that help prevent diabetes and heart disease. Its high water content helps in keeping us hydrated and its fiber can help control hunger and improve our digestion. Leafy greens can be used for recipes such as salads, soups, and even pasta dishes like lasagna.
4. Nuts and Seeds
Eating a proper amount of nuts and seeds has a lot of health benefits. Nuts and seeds help prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease by stabilizing the blood-sugar and cholesterol levels. They also contain vitamin E that contributes to better skin and eyesight, as well as omega-3 fats for inflammation. You can add nuts and seeds to healthy recipes such as soup, salad, yogurt, and smoothies.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil has the highest amount of monounsaturated fats among all cooking oils and has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent certain kinds of cancer diseases such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Olive oil can be added to salad and pasta dishes.
6. Peppers
Peppers improve metabolism, stabilize cholesterol levels, and prevent breast cancer, cardiovascular, and coronary heart diseases. Use peppers for pasta, salads, omelettes, and sandwiches.
7. Salmon
Salmon is the most nutritious of all the different kinds of fish. It contains omega-3 acids, protein, and different vitamins and minerals that help maintain a healthy brain, heart, joints, and improve overall health. Popular methods of cooking salmon are baking and grilling.
8. Skim Milk
Skim milk is an excellent choice because it is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins A & D but very low on fat. Skim milk can be used for soup and different kinds of desserts.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene which helps protect our heart and prevent cellular damage. Tomatoes can be used for a variety of healthy recipes such as soups, salads, pasta, and sandwiches.
10. Whole Grains
Whole grains help prevent stroke, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Examples of whole grains include bread, oats, and rice.
It is never too late to start preparing healthy recipes for your family. Do not be afraid to mix it up, experiment, and be creative in preparing your meals. Using healthy ingredients to prepare your meals will result in a healthier body, a sharper mind, and a happier life.
