You’ll notice something that all these healthy foods have in common: each one is a basic ingredient, such as a fruit, vegetable, grain, or dairy product. That means no pre-packaged products with a laundry list of strange-sounding ingredients. You can use this as a rule of thumb when shopping: if the food is simple, wholesome, plant-based, and/or comes from the periphery of the grocery store—i.e., where the produce, eggs, fish, and other whole foods tend to live—you’re in good shape. (Literally.) Now, on to the healthiest foods to eat list. Try this: For a savory breakfast, drizzle cooked oatmeal with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan, or try this oatmeal recipe with spinach and poached eggs. Try this: For a side dish, halve an avocado, drizzle with soy sauce and fresh lime juice, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Or try avocado toast. Try this: For a healthy on-the-go snack, pack a handful of walnuts with some dried figs and a few anise seeds. (As the ingredients sit together, the anise releases flavor.) Or try this Corn Salad With Feta and Walnuts recipe. Try this: Sauté sliced mushrooms and shallots until tender. Add a splash of white wine and cook until evaporated. Serve over roasted fish or chicken. Or try Mushroom White Pizza. Try this: Mix with ground cumin, chopped cucumber, garlic, and cilantro. Serve with grilled chicken. Or try Buffalo Cauliflower With Yogurt Ranch. Try this: Make a sandwich with whole-grain bread, sliced hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, red onion, and a drizzle of olive oil. Or try Italian Baked Eggs. Try this: Puree cooked edamame with garlic, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice for a quick hummus-like spread. Or try Risotto With Edamame, Lemon, and Tarragon. Try this: Thinly slice, then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with toasted, unsweetened coconut. Try this: For a side dish, steam cut-up sweet potatoes and apples. Puree with maple syrup and crushed red pepper. Or try one of these 48 delicious sweet potato recipes. Try this: Make kale chips by tearing the leaves into pieces and tossing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees F until crisp, 20 to 30 minutes. Or try Quinoa With Mushrooms, Kale, and Sweet Potatoes. Try this: Add sautéed mushrooms and sherry vinegar to cooked barley. Or try Chicken Thighs With Barley and Peas. Try this: Peel, cut into chunks, and roast with olive oil and sprigs of fresh thyme. Or try Pumpkin-Leek Soup. Try this: Mix with soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar to make a quick Asian-style dipping sauce for chicken skewers. Or try Peanut Noodles With Edamame. Try this: Sauté chopped chard with sliced garlic, then toss with whole-grain pasta and raisins. Or try Swiss Chard With Chickpeas and Couscous. Try this: Cook bulgur as you would oatmeal. Top it with honey and chopped nuts for breakfast or a hearty snack. Or try Minty Bulgur Salad With Salmon and Cucumbers. Try this: Toss whole-grain pasta with pesto, chopped arugula, and grated lemon zest. Or try Whole-Grain Spaghetti With Kale and Tomatoes. Try this: On a baking sheet, toss canned black beans with olive oil, ground cumin, and salt. Roast at 450 degrees F until crispy, about 10 minutes, for a tasty snack. Or try Cuban Black Beans and Rice. Try this: Blend a handful of spinach into your favorite fruit smoothie. Or try Shrimp Pil Pil With Spinach. Try this: Make a quick salad with kidney beans, olive oil, fresh lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Or try Three-Bean Chili With Spring Pesto. Try this: Stir fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh dill into cooked quinoa. Or try Spiced Cod With Broccoli-Quinoa Pilaf. Try this: Toss cooked lentils with extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped celery, and fresh thyme. Serve over salad greens. Or try Winter Lentil Soup. Try this: For breakfast, mash some avocado on whole-grain toast and top with flaked poached salmon. Or try Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini. Try this: Shred cooked chicken and toss with olive oil, raisins, curry powder, and fresh lime juice. Or try Stuffed Chicken Breasts With Tomato Salad. Try this: Roast orange wedges along with salmon. Or try Salmon Fillet With Citrus and Thyme. Try this: Toss chopped sardines into a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Try this: Fold chopped almonds into cooked whole grains, along with raisins or dried currants. Or try Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan. Try this: Gently heat olive oil with fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme). Drizzle on pasta, steamed vegetables, or sandwiches in place of mayo. Try this: Serve over vanilla frozen yogurt with a pinch of ground cardamom. Or try Frozen Blueberry Lemonade. Try this: Toss with olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Roast at 375 degrees F until tender. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan before serving. Or try Orecchiette With Roasted Broccoli and Walnuts. Try this: Make your own chia seed pudding with milk and a sweetener of your choice. Or try Chia Pilaf With Pesto.
