Healthy Food in America

If you're an American who has made the decision to get healthier, assessing your nutritional habits is a great place to start. Obtaining better health requires making some changes, and taking a fresh approach to eating. Incorporating more fresh food in your daily diet can help put you on track. Fortunately, America is a wealthy nation where fresh, nutritious foods are readily available.

Fruits and Vegetables

You've heard that you should get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Perhaps you've followed that advice, but it's more likely you're like most Americans who skip the salad bar and head straight for the burgers. Despite any preconceived notions you might have, fresh produce can be an exciting culinary treat. Take a trip to your local farmers market, or if you're in an urban area, explore ethnic produce stands that offer fruits and vegetables from around the world. Treat it like an adventure. Fresh produce is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and plant sterols, all of which can contribute to health and vitality. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a diet rich in fresh produce might reduce your risk of stroke, diabetes, bone loss and cancer.

Nuts

Nuts are commonly, and some would argue unfairly, associated with high fat, but a study of more than 900 participants, which was published in the journal "Obesity" in 2006, found that nut consumption is actually associated with a lower risk of obesity. These crunchy nuggets of nutritional goodness also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease your risk of heart disease, America's No. 1 killer.

Legumes

Beans, peas and lentils all belong to a class of vegetables known as legumes, which provide fiber and nutrient-rich protein without the fat and cholesterol found in meat. If you're scared off by the prospect of gassy after-effects, MayoClinic.com recommends soaking dried beans in several changes of water, which you discard before cooking. Slow simmering, and the use of digestive aids, can also help.

Fish

Fish is lean protein, which is a boon to those seeking respite from the high saturated fat content of red meat. Fish also contains omega-3 fatty acids. These heart-healthy fats help reduce inflammation in the body. The American diet is typically up to 30 times higher in foods that contain another fatty acid, called omega-6, which increases inflammation. According to the University of Miami Health system, the imbalance in the proportion of omega-6 to omega-3 is thought to be a factor in the epidemic levels of inflammation-related disorders, such as heart disease, which afflict the U.S. population.