Eat These 15 Foods for a Healthier Life & Be a Better Dancer Too!

We all know that eating good food is one of the keys to living a long and healthy life. The tricky part for many of us is choosing the right food. The items on this list are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, easy to find at your grocery store, and require little or no preparation to eat. According to nutritionists, not only can these foods help you look and feel better, they can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and many cancers. Try adding some of these to your diet today.

Apples—soluble fiber lowers blood cholesterol and glucose levels; vitamin C protects your body’s cells from damage; helps reduce risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and diabetes.

Beans—good source of iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium; low-fat source of protein and fiber; reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, breast and colon cancers.

Beef—lean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron; zinc helps memory; B vitamins help your body turn food into energy.

Blueberries—low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C; loaded with phytonutrients to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers; helps improve short-term memory.

Broccoli—a great source of folate (B vitamin that prevents birth defects), vitamin A, and C; contains phytonutrients; good for preserving eye health; helps protect against cancer and heart disease.

Dark Chocolate—packed with flavonoids; helps keep blood platelets from sticking together; may help unclog arteries; helps with weight loss by making you feel full.

Eggs—great source of choline; helps lower breast cancer risks as well as macular degeneration and cataracts.

Garlic—contains phytonutrients; decreases high blood pressure; lowers rates of ovarian and colorectal cancers; helps fight infection.

Greek Yogurt—twice the protein of regular yogurt; loaded with calcium and immune-boosting bacteria.

Nuts (almonds, walnuts)—loaded with fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, and calcium; omega-3 fatty acids help lower blood cholesterol levels; great for your heart.

Red Peppers—excellent source of vitamin C; great for your skin (less wrinkling and dryness); gives your immune system a boost.

Salmon—great source of protein and vitamin D; omega-3 fatty acids help reduce blood clots that cause heart attacks; protects against irregular heartbeats and helps decrease triglyceride levels; decreases growth of artery-clogging plaques; lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke; helps keep skin smooth; lifts your mood.

Spinach—packed with vitamins A, C, and folate; magnesium and iron help boost immune system; carotenoids protect against macular degeneration and night blindness; protects against heart disease and some cancers.

Sweet Potatoes—good source of fiber; high in vitamin C, B-6, and potassium; beta-carotene protects eyes, skin, and lining of respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts; helps slow aging process; protects against some cancers.

Tomatoes—high in lycopene; protects against heart disease and breast cancer.

Eating right is just part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is important too, and it can be a lot of fun! Schedule some dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Charlotte and Lake Norman, NC.

Resource links:

“Slide Show: 10 Great Health Foods”

“25 Ridiculously Healthy Foods”