Power foods are regular foods with more than their fair share of nutrients. They aren’t magical foods that automatically make you healthy when you eat them but including them in your diet makes a difference. 

The trick to a healthy lifestyle has always been eating balanced meals, staying fit, and getting enough sleep. 

But for that extra oomph, add these five power foods to your diet.

Avocadoes 

In recent years, avocados have been getting their flowers and for a good reason. They are THE power food. Creamy and rich in fibre, natural fats, vitamin C, and potassium, they top this list. Avocados also get bonus points for tasting great and being low in carbs. 

The best part? They can be used as a spread, dip, butter substitute, and more! This means there are so many recipes to try, so avocados are sure to become one of your daily mini habits.

Oats 

Oats are another powerful food. This whole grain is rich in carbs, protein, fat, and fibre which means that the body takes a while to digest it leaving the person “full” for a longer time. More than that, oats contain a dietary fibre known as beta-glucan, which lowers the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. 

Oats also contain a significant amount of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, including avenanthramides. Avenanthramides enhance the production of nitric oxide, which helps lower blood pressure. 

Most people have an issue with cooked oats, but there are many other fun recipes for oats that you can try out.

Blueberries 

These regular sweet fruits are sometimes dubbed nature’s perfect fruits for the nutrients they contain. They contain minimal carbs and high amounts of essential vitamins. 

Blueberries are also very high in soluble fibre, which binds to cholesterol, minerals, and salts and removes it as waste. This is why blueberries are great for cardiovascular health. 

Unlike other sweet fruits, blueberries contain very little sugar and have a reducing effect on blood sugar levels. But what really sets blueberries apart is the sheer amount of antioxidants they contain. They have the largest amounts of antioxidants than any single food contains. 

Other benefits of blueberries include reducing DNA damage and improving brain function.

Legumes 

Legume is a family of foods that includes beans, lentils, and chickpeas. They are also a crucial part of Tim Ferris’ approved food groups in his popular The Four Hour Body diet. 

If that doesn’t convince you yet, legumes make this list because they contain high quantities of protein, vitamins, iron, fibre, calcium, potassium, iron, folate and other vital nutrients. Legumes have the added advantage of being low in calories and unhealthy fat. They also reduce inflammation and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Vegetables 

Vegetables, especially dark green leafy ones, should be a staple of any diet. They contain large quantities of immune system-strengthening nutrients like zinc, iron, calcium, folate, fibre, and vitamin C. They also show significant results in halting the cognitive decline of test subjects. 

Some dark green leafy vegetables to add to your diet include: 

• Collards; 
• Watercress;
• Dark green leafy lettuce; 
• Kale; 
• Spinach; 
• Arugula; 
• Mustard Greens. 

Leafy green vegetables don’t taste the best, but you can try several recipes to see which ones work for you. Either way, introduce them to your diet today. 

These five power foods have so many health benefits and nutrients that they should be a part of everyone’s diet.