Last week I wrote a post about "The Ultimate Fitness Pantry" and how making changes to your pantry will go a LONG way to helping you achieve your goals rather than adding in an extra workout every day.
I've decided to put this one together of my Top 10 Foods to add to your shopping list to help people go back to basics and eat healthier, with less fuss and also remove the bad food choices.
TOP 10 FOODS LIST:
Pasture fed meats (beef, lamb, pork) - When choosing your meat, it's important to find the highest quality source possible. The higher the quality, the more nutrients it will deliver to your body. The healthier the animal, the healthier the meat. If it is raised on a predominantly grain fed diet, because they want to fatten it up, can you imagine what's going to happen to you? Pasture fed meats are free to roam, and eat their natural diets, leading to a better quality meat, as well as a leaner fat source that is present in the meat.
Free range chicken & eggs - Free range chicken and eggs are a great source of protein and dietary fats. Packing such a punch in one little shell, eggs are a great food source for your active body. They are versatile and can be used in a long list of ways that will keep meal time exciting as well as convenient.
Grass fed, unpasteurized whey protein powder - As far as protein powders go, unpasteurized ones are by far your best choice. The protein is a better quality form the pasture fed process, along with containing more grams of protein per gram of powder. These proteins are also very popular because a quality protein like these are also unlikely to fill them with unnecessary "fillers" to bulk them out more. They know they have a premium product and they live by it.
Broccoli & Cruciferous Vegetables - Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin K & C, which are important for protein synthesis. It is for this reason that it's important to always lightly cook broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables to unlock and break down their protein so the body can extract it and use it around the body. We all know what vitamin C is good for! So the more of that the better!
Spinach - Just like broccoli, spinach also contains very high levels of Vitamin K, Vitamin A and Manganese. Spinach, along with all other green vegetables contains chlorophyll, which is the chemical that makes them green. Chlorophyll has many listed health benefits, including aiding weight loss, and helping to detox the body by assisting in removing unwanted bacteria from the body. Spinach packs a massive punch for iron and magnesium too, helping to contribute to these 2 very important nutrients that support health.
Almonds/Cashews/Walnuts - Loaded with healthy fats and other vitamins and minerals, along with some added protein, nuts and seeds are a great way to add calories and a long list of other health benefits into your diet. Regardless of which one you preference, they all deliver similar health benefits. Cashews for example are packed with copper, magnesium and zinc. Magnesium especially, is a great relaxant, helping the body wind down, and is vital for good quality rest and sleep. Broken sleep and tiredness in the morning are often common causes of a magnesium deficiency.
Organic butter - Organic butter is a staple in our household because of the amount of healthy fats it contains and delivers. We use it to cook with, in baking, and some even use it in their morning coffee (Ketogenic Diet). High levels of HDL fat in butter help to deliver people plenty of health promoting properties. Make the switch form margarine to butter today, and always prioritise organic where possible.
Quinoa - The carbohydrate source for the carb crazies! Quinoa is a great source of carbohydrates for those looking for a great alternative to conventional carb sources, like pasta, rice and bread. Quinoa is a great source of protein, containing all of the essential amino acids. Quinoa also contains high levels of iron and magnesium that are both vital for a healthy body and mind.
Probiotic/Fermented Foods - Fermented foods and probiotic rich food sources contain a wide variety of healthy bacteria that is important for a healthy body. The good bacteria helps to fight off bad bacteria as well as help the body with its processes and energy production. Just imagine having an army of little workers ready to do whatever needs to be done inside your body! Feed them well and they'll grow. Feed them poorly, and they'll get over run by the bad bacteria. Fermented foods include; kim chi, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, kombucha (fermented tea), and yoghurt and kefir that have had bacteria introduced into the food. These are all great options to help you introduce them into your diet. Variety is always the best method with these to ensure you get a wide range of healthy bacteria into your gut.
Citrus - Citrus juice is a great way to alkalise your body as well as to aid digestion of foods. Citrus juices also contain loads of vitamin C that is important for disease prevention and also to keep the common cold at bay.
These 10 Foods are what I eat on a daily and weekly basis. They are all staples in my diet and are what keep me healthy, active and to maintain a lean physique. All of these foods also have a wide range of possible uses and can easily be cooked a number of ways to keep meals exciting by using the same ingredient combinations.
Introduce them where you can and always remember, "Quality over Quantity"! Source the best quality possible.
Stay healthy!
Liam