The best foods for a healthy body aren't necessarily found at a health food store. Eat a variety of the freshest, least processed fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, seeds, legumes, nuts, low-fat dairy products, poultry and fish. If you eat a healthy mix of these foods, you need no added vitamin or mineral supplements unless you have certain medical conditions.
Whole Grains
Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta and brown rice are all great sources of carbohydrates. MyPyramid.gov states that whole grain foods contain all the dietary fiber, nutrition, vitamins and minerals that milled and processed grains lack. Even enriched breads and cereals can't compete with whole grains for health value, because the body does not absorb the artificially added iron and B vitamins as well as it does from natural grains.
Fresh Produce
Processed fruits and veggies can't compete with the farm-fresh produce found at the local market. Eating foods of a variety of colors helps to ensure all the essential vitamins and minerals are included. Avoid processed fruit or vegetable drinks, which contain added sodium, preservatives and sugar.
Low-Fat Meats and Dairy
Choose low-fat dairy and meats to provide a good amount of protein without added fat. No-fat and low-fat milk, dairy products and yogurts can provide the calcium for strong bones. The Harvard School of Public Health states poultry and fish are better choices for protein than red meat because of the lower fat content in fish. The same amounts of salmon provide nearly all the protein with a quarter of the fat in steak.
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