The key to good health is eating the right foods. It is rightly said, "We are what we eat" and to eat healthy we must keep healthy foods handy. In other words, we must make it a point to ensure a continuous availability of healthy foods in our kitchen. If this is not the case, then we might be tempted to order high-calorie pizzas, French Fries and other junk foods rich in unsaturated fats from outside! We should make it a point to stuff our kitchen with healthy foods.
Here is a list of 10 most healthy foods that you should always have in your kitchen:
- Oats: The cereal denotes a perfect combination of health and taste that is suitable for every member of a family, right from the kids to the elders. It is rich in fiber (both soluble and insoluble fiber), as well as provide nutrients, such as vitamin E, iron and magnesium. The soluble fiber helps reduce LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol). You can make porridge or apple oats, kheer, upama or cookies or mix the cereal with rotis and idli.
- Milk: This is an item that can be used for various preparations. The food is loaded with protein and calcium and it's a must for kids, women and men who perform workouts or have plans to do so! Skimmed milk, being low in fat, is even better! You can make shakes, smoothies, curd or paneer (cottage cheese) out of it. Combining cereals with milk is also a healthy idea. Drinking a glass of plain milk can refresh you!
- Cereals: You should keep adequate amount of cereals in your kitchen, especially if you are fond of binge eating or if you have kids at your place. It forms a healthy as well as a tasty snack for your breakfast. It is available in various forms, shapes and flavors.
- Eggs: Eggs are excellent source of protein, choline, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin E and selenium. Egg helps in boosting immunity and, therefore, it is a must for the entire family.
- Fresh Vegetables: Full of fiber, vitamins and minerals, many vegetables have the quality to reduce stress. They are also loaded with antioxidants that may help lower your risk of cancer. Common examples include tomato and green leafy vegetables like cabbage, spinach etc. Spinach is rich in iron and vitamin K, and tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant which may help prevent certain cancers. It is always good to have ample of vegetables available at home. You can enjoy their tastes in both raw and cooked forms. You can make juices or choose to use vegetables as tasty salad ingredients.
- Fruits: Fruits like apple, pear, pineapple, pomegranate, lemon, strawberries, cranberries, kiwi, papaya, watermelon are enriched with nutrients and can refresh you greatly. You can pick them up as "anytime snacks".
- Yogurt: It is a probiotic food, which is rich in protein, calcium and riboflavin. It can be used as a healthy dressing for salads or you can also make buttermilk. Yogurt facilitates digestion.
- Nuts: Nuts like walnut, almonds and peanuts are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They keep metabolism active and help in brain cell development, thereby making an excellent food choice for the kids and the adults as well. Omega-3 in nuts also help maintain heart health. A study conducted by Harvard's School of Public Health found that almonds eaten twice a week can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 25 percent.
- Fish: It is a good source of protein, with the perfect omega 3 and omega 6 compositions. Besides protein, it is rich in minerals, and small fishes contribute some amount of calcium as well.
- Water: You need to make sure to keep purified water available in the kitchen at all times. Hard water is not healthy for consumption as it might lead to stone formation in the body. Hence softened and purified water is a must-have in all kitchens.
Stuffing your kitchen with healthy foods is essential to keep you away from junk foods. If you are hungry and your kitchen or refrigerator is empty, then you will be prompted to order fast foods or fried foods from outside. But on the other hand, if you have healthy options available at your kitchen, then you can satisfy your hunger by making a quick snack out of the healthy ingredients available in your kitchen!
