15 Incredibly Healthy Foods with a Weekly Meal Plan and Tips to Getting Started

Eating a nutritious diet is vital for optimal health, but putting it into practice is not always easy.

With all the touted “healthy” foods out there, it can feel overwhelming to know which foods to focus on and build your diet around.

Here are 15 incredibly healthy foods and simple tips on how to incorporate them into your diet.

Fruits and Vegetables

It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables provide many health benefits. However, most people are not getting enough of them.

Here are the healthiest fruits and vegetables to add to your shopping list.

1. Berries

Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are loaded with health-promoting nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants called anthocyanins.

Recent studies show a link between eating blueberries and a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. (1)

Other studies have shown strawberries may lower inflammation in the body and promote a healthy weight. This benefit on weight may be due to strawberries’ fiber content, which is known to be especially satiating. (2)

2. Avocados

Avocados are a nutritional powerhouse that boasts incredible health appeal.

This delicious fruit is packed with healthy anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats, fiber, and essential vitamins.

Studies have shown eating more healthy fats like the type in avocados to be protective for the heart. These monounsaturated fats may offer this protection by increasing our HDL cholesterol, or the “good” cholesterol” in our bodies. (3)

Avocados may also promote youthful skin by protecting us from sun damage and delaying visible signs of aging. (4)

3. Apples

The old saying holds true — “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are one of the most nourishing fruits and are unbelievably versatile.

In particular, apples are a rich source of antioxidants that protect our health. They help combat free radicals in our environment, which are chemicals that can pose harm if we’re overexposed.

Some studies have even shown eating more apples can increase our lifespan! (5)

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens are beneficial to our health and our heart.

They are naturally low in calories but are high in essential vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, and fiber.

Folate and iron help your body produce red blood cells, which provide energy and needed oxygen. The fiber helps keep you full and aids in healthy digestion, which can support a healthy weight.

5. Broccoli

Broccoli is another incredibly healthy vegetable to include in your daily repertoire. It is naturally high in vitamin C, folate, fiber, and calcium.

Just one 1/2 cup of broccoli provides 85% of your daily vitamin C needs. (6)

Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins to support a strong immune system and may help you fend off infection.

Broccoli also is high in a particular phytonutrient called sulforaphane. Phytonutrients are chemicals naturally found in plants that are anti-inflammatory and have been linked to reduced disease risk. (7)

6. Oranges

Oranges have an impressive health profile and are abundant in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants that protect our health. Just one cup of oranges provides 106% of our daily value of vitamin C. (8)

The vitamin C in oranges supports our immune system and can also help promote smoother skin. This is because it helps our body better absorb collagen, a protein that plays a role in skin health.

Vitamin C can also help speed up wound healing after an injury. (9)

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes get a bad rap because of their carb content, but they are one of the most nutritious vegetables out there.

They are loaded with filling fiber and beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body. Carotenoids such as beta-carotene play a role in eye health, protecting your eyes from age-related decline. (10)

They also help keep your immune system in tip-top shape. (11)

Nuts, Pulses, and Grains

Many nuts, pulses, and grains are highly nutritious, but these are some of the best.

8. Oats

Oats have gained popularity in recent years for their purported health benefits. They are most well-known for their role in supporting a healthy heart and lowering cholesterol. (13)

Their benefits are likely attributed to their soluble fiber content, which binds to cholesterol to prevent it from being absorbed in the body.

Soluble fiber also contributes to satiety, which can keep you full for hours.

9. Quinoa

Quinoa has become incredibly popular as a whole grain in the American diet and is touted as a superfood.

It is highly nutritious and contains more fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals than most other grains. (14)

It is considered a complete protein, which means it provides all of the essential amino acids (protein-building blocks) our body needs. It is also a wonderful protein source for vegetarians.

10. Ezekiel Bread

When it comes to bread, Ezekiel bread wins the prize. It is made from organic, sprouted grains, which are more nutritious than traditional whole grains.

The process of sprouting involves soaking the grains in water and allowing them to germinate, or grow.

When this sprouts into a plant, it increases the amount of nutrients present, contributing to Ezekiel bread’s robust nutritional profile. (15)

11. Almonds

Almonds are another incredibly healthy food that packs a nutritional punch. They contain several health-promoting nutrients like magnesium, vitamin E, protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Almonds may be especially good for those with diabetes. Research shows eating just 2 ounces of almonds may help reduce the rise in blood sugar and insulin levels after meals. (16)

They are also rich in monounsaturated fats, which may protect your heart. (17)

12. Lentils

Lentils are considered a pulse, which are the edible seeds of legumes. They are a staple in many cultures and are rich in protein, fiber, and folate.

They are also a great source of plant-based protein and fiber for vegetarians.

Eating lentils has also been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, possibly due to their high folate content. (18)

Fish, Meat, and Eggs

Certain meat, fish, and eggs are considered the healthiest.

13. Fatty Fish

Fatty, oily fish like salmon, tuna, trout, and sardines are the best fish to eat.

They are all high in omega-3 fats, which can optimize brain and heart health, as well as reduce inflammation.

Some studies have shown that a type of omega-3 fat called EPA may do this by potentially decreasing cholesterol levels. (19)

It’s important to note that while fatty fish is incredibly good for you, it still contains mercury, which can be toxic in excessive amounts. Luckily, the particular fish on this list are not considered to be high in mercury.

14. Chicken Breast

Skinless chicken breast is one of the leanest, highest-quality animal protein sources. It is low in saturated fat, the type of fat that can raise your cholesterol levels.

If you’re trying to lose weight, a 4-ounce piece of chicken breast is only 160 calories but contains a whopping 27 grams of satisfying protein. (21)

Protein may help prevent overeating by keeping you full. (22)

It can also maintain or even increase muscle mass for a healthy metabolism. (23)

15. Eggs

Eggs are highly nutritious and incredibly cost-efficient.

They contain high-quality protein, as well as little-known nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and choline, which benefit our health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants in eggs that have been shown to support eye health and a reduced risk of macular degeneration. (24)

Choline is an essential nutrient, and only 10% of Americans get enough of it. It acts similar to a B-vitamin and plays a role in liver, brain, and metabolic health. (25)

And if you’re of childbearing age, choline plays an even bigger role in a baby’s brain development. (26)

Eggs are one of the highest sources of choline in the diet, which is found in the egg yolk. (27)

It’s important to note that while eggs are uber nutritious, eating too many egg yolks may raise cholesterol levels in those at risk for heart disease. (28)

Sample Meal Plan

Eating a balanced diet does not have to be complicated. Incorporating the foods on this list will support optimal health and keep you feeling your best.

Here is a 1-week sample meal plan using these incredibly healthy foods to get you started.

Day 1

Breakfast: Spinach and feta omelet

Lunch: Turkey sandwich on Ezekiel bread with avocado

Dinner: Orange chicken with broccoli and brown rice

Day 2

Breakfast: Overnight oats with cinnamon apples

Lunch: Kale salad with cubed sweet potato and chicken breast

Dinner: Salmon with quinoa and lentils

Day 3

Breakfast: Plain Greek yogurt with berries

Lunch: Quinoa bowl with spinach and edamame

Dinner: Fish tacos with apple slaw

Day 4

Breakfast: Green smoothie with leafy greens

Lunch: Tuna salad atop mixed greens

Dinner: Balsamic grilled chicken with baked sweet potato fries

Day 5

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with avocado and Ezekiel toast

Lunch: Chicken, craisin, and almond salad lettuce wraps

Dinner: Lentil soup with collard greens

Day 6

Breakfast: Smoothie bowl with raspberries

Lunch: Kale and strawberry salad with hard-boiled eggs

Dinner: Tuna steak with a side of avocado and boiled quinoa

Day 7

Breakfast: Orange creamsicle smoothie

Lunch: Spinach salad with almonds and grilled chicken

Dinner: Sheet pan salmon with kale and sweet potato

The Bottom Line

Eating healthy is about focusing your diet around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, like the foods on this list. An occasional treat can fit into a healthy diet as well.

Practice the 80/20 rule when it comes to your diet. Eighty percent of the time, eat healthy foods like the ones described above. Allow the other 20% to be treats or foods you enjoy.

Finding the right balance of foods you enjoy that make you feel your best is the optimal way to stay healthy and meet your daily nutrient needs.