When it comes to nutrition-packed foods, Mother Nature has produced them in so much abundance that it gets difficult to pick one and leave out another in the top 5 list. It is, therefore, only more fair to talk of super food categories rather than individual foods. Here are the top 5 nutrition-packed foods that you must include in your daily diet in order to lead a healthy long life:
1) Whole grains
Grains serve as the main source of carbohydrates in our diet, but most of their other nutrients are lost when they are refined and polished to remove their outer skin in order to enhance their taste.
In addition to vitamins B & E and cholesterol-mopping soluble fiber, whole grains (i.e., grains with bran, germ and endosperm intact) contain valuable antioxidants that may not be found even in fruits and vegetables. They also contain minerals like magnesium and iron. The soluble fiber present in whole grains helps reduce cholesterol level, blood pressure and blood coagulation. Their antioxidants have been found to reduce the risks to many types of cancer. Whole grains like wheat, oats, corn and brown rice should be made a part of your routine diet.
2) Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are Nature's greatest gift to mankind, especially the dark-colored fruits and vegetables. In addition to being fat-free, low-sodium, low-calorie and delicious, they are packed with disease-fighting