The nutrition contained in a food is the gauge of what makes it healthy to eat. Good foods are typically healthy because they supply the body with vitamins or minerals, adequate levels of fat, carbohydrates or calories. The basics of nutrition boil down to understanding what the body needs to function properly, notes MayoClinic.com, not how the food tastes or looks on the plate. A plethora of good foods exist that are tasty, readily available at local stores and provide healthy nutrients to the body.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a vegetable that have high nutritional content. According to the Sweet Potato Council, this vegetable is full of vitamin A and vitamin C and supplies a good source of fiber. Sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate, with no fat or cholesterol. Additional nutrients provided by this versatile food include calcium, potassium and folate. You can prepare sweet potatoes as a side dish by baking, or serve them as a filler for pies, casseroles and desserts.
Vitamin-Rich Vegetables
Vegetables are important for providing vitamins in the diet. Vegetables are also low-calorie, no-fat and low in carbohydrates. Good vegetables to include in your daily diet are greens, such as romaine lettuce, broccoli and asparagus. The George Mateljan Foundation notes that green vegetables provide cholesterol-lowering benefits and a high source of fiber for regulating digestion, and they supply the body with vitamins C, D and K. Orange vegetables are also a good source of vitamin A and C, which promote eye health and immune system functioning.
Chicken and Seafood
Seafood such as salmon, tuna and halibut are full of protein for maintaining muscle health, vitamin D for calcium absorption and omega-3 fatty acids. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally made by the body but are required for health. Omega-3 aids in normal body growth and development and plays a role in brain functioning, reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers high blood pressure. Chicken is also a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. According to the George Mateljan Foundation, chicken offers cancer-protective niacin as well as selenium for regulating metabolic function.
Wheat and Grains
Whole grains and wheat include pastas, breads and cereals. Unprocessed grains have the most benefit to health and are tasty foods for sandwiches or mixed pasta dishes, or as a morning meal. Grains and wheat offer the body a high-fiber source for regulating digestion and bowels. Grains and wheat are also starchy carbohydrates, which supply longer lasting energy to the body.
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