5 Foods You Should be Eating

By Rebecca Scritchfield, MA, RD, LD - DietsInReview.com

Super foods are just "so last year." Simply put, there are far too many healthy, nutritious foods out there to isolate some as better than others. Regardless, Americans do not consume anywhere near the recommendations for vegetables and fruits and we could probably all use a little refresh on our food choices.

All fruits and vegetables are good for you. Period.

As you take on this new year, commit to changing up your menu. Here's a list of five foods you should be eating, if you aren't already, and a few ideas for enjoying them:

1. Whole Eggs - Don't ditch the yolk, which is a good source of choline. Contrary to what most people think of the yolks, the choline present can help lower homocysteine levels in the blood which actually reduces your heart attack risk.

2. Garbanzo Beans - You can get health in a can! I love to keep a container of drained garbanzo beans (or chickpeas) in the refrigerator for salad toppers. Bake them in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes and you'll have a crunchy, healthy snack that's cheaper than cheese puffs and way healthier.

3. Kale - No longer a plate decoration with an orange slice, kale is rising to the top of "must try" vegetables. You can steam or saute kale. Try it with whole wheat pasta and pesto sauce. Feeling adventurous? Bake kale at 350 for 15 minutes to make kale chips.

4. Cherries - With powerful natural anti-inflammatory agents, cherries are an athlete's best friend. You'll recover faster and you'll fight all the oxidation you created in your workout. When they are out of season, buy frozen or dried cherries with no sugar added.

5. Almond Butter - Step up your butter love and go for almond butter. Natural almond butter is made from roasted pureed almonds. It's great with fruits like banana and apple or on a piece of whole wheat toast as a snack. The vitamin E in almond butter is an antioxidant we generally don't get enough of. Vitamin E supports a healthy immune system so you don't catch a cold.

See Rebecca's list of 5 More Foods You Should be Eating and be inspired to incorporate some new flavors into your meals.

Learn more about maintaining a healthy diet at DietsInReview.com.

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