40 Foods That Are Super Healthy

It's easy to wonder which foods are the healthiest.
A large number of foods are healthy and tasty. When you fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, quality protein sources, and other whole foods, you'll have meals that are colorful, versatile, and good for you.
Here are 40 incredibly healthy foods. Most of them are surprisingly delicious.

1–6: Fruits and berries

Fruits and berries are among the most popular healthy foods worldwide.

These sweet, nutritious foods are very easy to incorporate into your diet because they require almost no preparation.

1. Apples

Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C and a number of antioxidants. They are very filling and a perfect snack if you get hungry between meals.

2. Avocado

Avocados are different from most other fruits because they are loaded with healthy fats instead of carbohydrates. They are not only creamy and tasty, but also high in fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

3. Bananas

Bananas are among the world's best sources of potassium. They are also high in vitamin B6 and fiber and are convenient and portable.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries are not only delicious, they are also among the most powerful sources of antioxidants in the world.

5. Oranges

Oranges are well known for their vitamin C content. What's more, they are high in fiber and antioxidants.

6. Strawberries

Strawberries are highly nutritious and low in carbohydrates and calories.

Packed with vitamin C, fiber and manganese, they're probably among the tastiest foods ever.

Other healthy fruits

Other healthy fruits and berries include cherries, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, lemons, mangoes, melons, olives, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums and raspberries.

7. Eggs

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet.

They used to be demonized for being high in cholesterol, but new studies show they're perfectly safe and healthy ( 1 Trusted Source , 2 Trusted Source ).

8–10: Meat

Lean, unprocessed meat can be included in a healthy diet.

8. Lean beef

Lean beef is among the best sources of protein when consumed in moderation and loaded with highly bioavailable iron.

9. Chicken breast

Chicken breast is low in fat and calories, but extremely high in protein. It is a great source of many nutrients. Again, feel free to eat fattier cuts of chicken if you don't eat a lot of carbs.

10. Lamb

Lambs are usually grass-fed and their meat tends to be high in omega-3 fatty acids.

11-15: Nuts and seeds

Despite being high in fat and calories, nuts and seeds can help with weight loss ( 3Trusted Source , 4Trusted Source ).

These foods are crunchy, filling, and packed with important nutrients that many people don't get enough of, including magnesium and vitamin E.

They also require almost no preparation, so they're easy to add to your routine.

Some people develop nut allergies as they get older. If you experience a reaction after eating any type of nut, eliminate it from your diet.

11. Almonds

Almonds are a popular nut packed with vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium and fiber. Studies show that almonds can help with weight loss and improve metabolic health (5).

12. Chia seeds

Chia seeds are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. One ounce (28 grams) contains 11 grams of fiber and significant amounts of magnesium, manganese, calcium and various other nutrients.

13. Coconuts

Coconuts are full of fiber and powerful fatty acids called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

14. Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts are very tasty. They are much higher in monounsaturated fat and lower in omega-6 fatty acids than most other nuts.

15. Walnuts

Walnuts are highly nutritious and packed with fiber and various vitamins and minerals.

16. Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts have a smooth, buttery texture; they are loaded with nutrients; they are beneficial for thyroid function; and are one of the best sources of the important mineral selenium.

17-26: Vegetables

Calorie for calorie, vegetables are among the most concentrated sources of nutrients in the world.

There is a wide variety available and it is best to eat many different types each day.

17. Asparagus

Asparagus is a popular vegetable that is low in carbohydrates and calories, but full of vitamin K.

18. Peppers

Peppers come in several colors, including red, yellow, and green. They are crunchy and sweet and are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C.

19. Broccoli

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that tastes great both raw and cooked. It is an excellent source of fiber and vitamins C and K and contains a decent amount of protein compared to other vegetables.

20. Carrot

Carrots are a popular root vegetable. They are extremely crunchy and packed with nutrients like fiber and vitamin K.

Carrots are also very high in carotene antioxidants, which have numerous benefits.

21. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a very versatile cruciferous vegetable. It can be used to make a variety of healthy dishes and is also delicious on its own.

22. Cucumber

Cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. They have a very low content of carbohydrates and calories, they mostly consist of water. However, they contain a number of nutrients in small amounts, including vitamin K.

23. Garlic

Garlic is incredibly healthy. It contains bioactive organosulfur compounds that have powerful biological effects, including improved immune function ( 6Trusted Source ).

24. Cabbage

Cabbage is becoming increasingly popular because it is incredibly high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and a host of other nutrients. Adds a satisfying crunch to salads and other dishes.

25. Onions

Onions have a very strong flavor and are very popular in many recipes. They contain a number of bioactive compounds believed to have health benefits.

26. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are usually categorized as a vegetable, even though they are technically a fruit. They are delicious and packed with nutrients like potassium and vitamin C.

More healthy vegetables

Most vegetables are very healthy. Others worth mentioning are artichokes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, eggplant, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, squash, Swiss chard, turnips and zucchini.

27–32: Fish and seafood

Fish and other seafood tend to be very healthy and nutritious.

They are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids and iodine, two nutrients that most people don't get enough of.

Studies show that people who eat the most seafood — especially fish — tend to live longer and have a lower risk of many diseases, including heart disease, dementia, and depression ( 7Trusted Source , 8Trusted Source , 9Trusted Source ).

27. Salmon

Salmon is a type of fatty fish that is incredibly popular for its excellent taste and high nutrient content, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains some vitamin D.

28. Sardines

Sardines are small, fatty fish that are among the most nutritious foods you can eat. They boast significant amounts of most nutrients your body needs, including calcium and vitamin D.

29. Crustaceans

Crustaceans rank similarly to organ meats in terms of nutrient density. Edible shellfish include clams, molluscs and oysters.

30. Shrimp

Shrimp is a type of crustacean related to crabs and lobsters. It tends to be low in fat and calories, but high in protein. It's also packed with various other nutrients, including selenium and vitamins

31. Trout

Trout is another type of delicious freshwater fish, similar to salmon.

32. Tuna

Tuna is very popular in Western countries and tends to be low in fat and calories and high in protein. It is ideal for people who need to add more protein to their diet but keep the calories low.

However, you should make sure you are buying low mercury varieties.

33–35: Grains

Whole grains are an important addition to your diet because they provide a variety of micronutrients and fiber and fuel your body.

Just keep in mind that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so they are not recommended for those on low-carb diets.

33. Brown rice

Rice is one of the most popular cereal grains and is currently a staple food for more than half of the world's population. Brown rice is quite nutritious, with decent amounts of fiber, vitamin B1 and magnesium.

34. Oats

Oats are incredibly healthy. They're packed with nutrients and a powerful fiber called beta glucans, which provide numerous benefits, including helping to lower cholesterol and nourishing beneficial bacteria in the gut.

35. Quinoa

Quinoa has become incredibly popular among health-conscious people in recent years. It is a tasty grain that is high in nutrients such as fiber and magnesium. It is also an excellent source of vegetable protein.

36–37: Breads

Many people eat a lot of highly processed white bread.

If you're trying to adopt a healthier diet, it's helpful to compare product labels and choose bread with the most dietary fiber and the least added sugar.

36. Ezekiel's bread

Ezekiel bread may be the healthiest bread you can buy. It is made from organically sprouted whole grains as well as several legumes.

37. Homemade low-carb breads

Overall, the best choice of bread may be the one you can make yourself. Here is a list of 15 low carb gluten free bread recipes.

38–41: Legumes

Legumes are a great plant-based source of protein, iron and fiber.

While it is true that legumes contain antinutrients that can interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the antinutrient content by soaking them and preparing them properly (10).

That's why legumes are a great plant-based source of protein.

38. Green beans

Green beans, also called string beans, are an immature variety of broad beans. They are very popular in Western countries.

39. Beans

Beans are packed with fiber and various vitamins and minerals. Make sure you cook them properly as they are toxic when raw.

40. Lens

Lentils are another popular legume. They have a high fiber content and are among the best sources of vegetable protein.

Bottom Line

Whether you're looking to overhaul your diet or simply change up your meals, it's easy to add a number of these foods to your routine.

Many of the above foods are not only a great snack, they are also full of vitamins and antioxidants. Some of them can even help with weight loss.

If you don't normally challenge your palate, don't be afraid to try something new.