According to the United States Department of Agriculture,
a healthy diet
as one that Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or
low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs,
and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt
(sodium), and added sugars.
But just
what minerals and nutrients are vital to our health and well-being? Consider these nutrient-dense foods when
you’re looking to improve your vitamin and mineral intake.
Vitamin A is needed for good eyesight and optimal
functioning of the immune system. Cod
liver oil, dairy products, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables are
all great natural food sources of vitamin A.
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is imperative to the
body’s ability to process carbohydrates.
Whole grain breads, cereals and pastas have high amounts of thiamin.
Riboflavin, or B2, can be found in fortified cereals,
almonds, asparagus, eggs, and meat. It’s
used in many body processes, including converting food into energy and the
production of red blood cells.
Niacin, also known as B3, can be found in lean chicken,
tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. It aids
in digestion and also plays a key role in converting food into energy.
Vitamin B6 can be found in fortified cereals, fortified
soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes with skin, bananas, light-meat
chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach. It’s vital for a healthy nervous system,
and helps break down proteins and stored sugars.
Vitamin B12 is needed for creating red blood cells, and can
be found in beef, clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, poultry, and soybeans.
Citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach
are all loaded with vitamin C, which is vital to promoting a healthy immune
system, and making chemical messengers in the brain.
Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk, cheese, and
cereals; egg yolks; salmon; but can also be made by the body from sunlight
exposure. It’s needed to process calcium and maintain the health of bones and
teeth.
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant and is essential to
your skin’s good health. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, almonds,
hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, and soybean to get this
vital nutrient.
Folic acid can be found in fortified cereals and grain
products; lima,
lentil, and garbanzo beans; and dark leafy vegetables. It’s vital for cell
development, prevents birth defects, promotes heart health, and helps red blood
cells form.
Pregnant women need to take special care to ensure they are getting
enough of this for themselves and their developing baby.
Dairy products, broccoli, dark leafy greens like spinach and
rhubarb, and fortified products, such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu are
all loaded with calcium. Like vitamin D, it’s very important in helping to
build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower
seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all
high in copper, which aids in metabolism of iron and red cell formation. It
also assists in the production of energy for cells.
Iron can be found in leafy green vegetables, beans,
shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some fortified foods. It’s needed to transport oxygen to all parts
of the body via the red blood cells.
Potassium can be found in foods like Broccoli, potatoes
(with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice, leafy green vegetables,
bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in nervous system and muscle function
and also helps maintain a healthy balance of water in the blood and body
tissues.
Red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts,
chickpeas, soy foods, and dairy products are great dietary sources of zinc.
Zinc supports the body’s immune function, reproduction capabilities, and the
nervous systems.
Protein is the main component of muscles, organs, and glands. Every living
cell and all body fluids, except bile and
urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are
maintained with protein.
Children and adolescents require protein for growth
and development, and adults need it to maintain cell integrity. It can be found
in foods like beans, milk and meat.
The primary function of carbohydrates is
to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Complex
carbohydrates are the best choice for a stable blood sugar level. Whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and starchy
vegetables are all good complex carbohydrate sources.
Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic
processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of
essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty
acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses.
Good sources are fish and shellfish,
flax seed, canola oil,
pumpkin seeds,
sunflower
seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
Though this list is far from complete, it gives a good
base of knowledge on which to build a healthy, well-balanced diet.