4 Healthy Food Staples, Including the Oats and Nuts in Nutrition Bars

Having a pantry stocked with your favorite healthy food staples can help you not only to achieve and maintain a healthy weight but also to keep hunger cravings at bay. Here are 4 healthy food options that are easy to store, easy to make use of, and just plain good for your body:

Oats

Oats are a popular choice for anyone who is on a weight management program or simply wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The caloric content of oats is lower compared to that of other traditional carb-rich foods such as bread and, therefore, it makes for a good substitute.

Oats are a nutritional powerhouse containing not only protein but also minerals such as Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Folate, Calcium; and vitamins such as Vitamin B1, B5, B6, and B3.

Oats can also be eaten in many different ways, which is another reason why they continue to be so hugely popular. You can eat them in the form of porridge or in combination with fruit, yogurt, and nuts for a healthy, nutritious, and satisfying meal. Alternatively, blend them into a milkshake or use them to make cookies.

Given their low glycaemic index (G.I.), oats are particularly beneficial for losing weight and lowering both blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The Oatmeal Cinnamon Nutrition Bar by PureFit is a great way to get your serving of oats. It contains gluten-free oats.

Nuts

Nuts are another healthy food choice given their high levels of good fat. However, nuts are a more calorie dense food so they should be eaten in moderation. Some of the most popular nuts that are enjoyed by people for their flavor, texture, and taste are almonds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.

Nuts can be enjoyed eaten by themselves or as part of smoothies, cakes, oats, salads, mixed into rice, or accompaniments and spice rubs.

Like oats, nuts are a rich source of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and selenium.

Healthy nut nutrition bars can be a great way to get your serving of nuts. Some of the popular nut bars offered by PureFit include the Almond Crunch Nutrition Bar, the Berry Almond Crunch Nutrition Bar, and the Peanut Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar.

Beans

Beans are a highly nutritious food source and a very affordable way to incorporate proteins into your diet. Beans have many well-known benefits including:

• Nutritional content – Beans contain folate, zinc, iron, and magnesium.
• Fiber – Fiber helps weight-watchers maintain or lower their weight by keeping them satiated for longer periods of time.
• Antioxidants – Beans contain polyphenols, which support anti-aging and prevent the damage caused by free radicals.
• Reduced risk of cancer, inflammation, heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver.

Beans can be enjoyed as part of salads, mixed with rice, or in the form of baked beans for breakfast.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are a food source that should ideally be incorporated into your healthy meals on a daily basis. There are so many reasons why leafy greens, especially of the darker variety, are so good for you.

Consuming greens burns up bad fats in the body, helping you to reduce weight. They add fiber to your diet and aid in the fight against free radicals that can cause damage to your cells and the aging of your skin. They also help in reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Leafy greens are an excellent brain food.

Leaves can be enjoyed just by drizzling some lemon juice, olive/coconut oil, and salt on top. You can definitely get creative with using leaves in your meals. You can use them as a part of your sandwich mixes and try experimenting with Indian recipes such as palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese curry) or palak/pudina rice (spinach/mint flavored rice) or methi parathas (fenugreek leaf flavored flatbreads).

Alternatively, make green juice mixes or smoothies for refreshing drinks.

What are your favorite healthy foods that you like to stock up on? Let us know.