You may be sticking strictly to vows to eat more healthily in 2018, but the real challenge is to take these positive lifestyle changes forward into the rest of the year! We’ve highlighted a selection of foods which can help you care for your health and boost your day-to-day lifestyle.
Broccoli
Broccoli is packed full of vitamin K and vitamin C, which are essential bone-building nutrients. It also delivers a healthy dose of sulforaphane, which is thought to ward off some cancers and as a flexible vegetable it works well in numerous different dishes, from salads and stir-fries to curries and soups.
Oily fish
Eating at least two portions of fish each week is one of the best things you can do to improve your heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon for exampe is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, too.
Dark chocolate
It may seem unlikely that such a tasty treat is actually beneficial to our health, but there are plenty of reports to suggest that the cocoa powder in dark chocolate can help reduce blood pressure. Cocoa powder is also rich in flavonoids, which can apparently reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL levels.
Legumes
Legumes are part of most people’s regular diets as the term ‘legumes’ encompasses numerous forms of peas, beans, lentils and nuts. Legumes are a strong source of insoluble fibre, which helps with digestion, and soluble fibre, which helps keep blood sugar balanced and lowers cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Garlic
Garlic is present in a huge number of dishes and styles of cuisine from around the globe, making it a particularly easy food to add to your diet. Studies suggest that it can improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure and encourage healthier cholesterol levels.
