7 Healthy Foods You Should Eat Every Week

Essential for just about every cell in the body, protein doesn’t have to mean chicken or steak. Aim to get sources of meatless protein including lentils, black beans and quinoa.

“Fat” used to be a dirty word, but healthy fats are necessary for a healthy heart. Monounsaturated fats, like those found in avocados, almonds and coconut and olive oils, help you stay full, absorb vitamins and promote weight loss.

In addition to benefitting the skin, antioxidants support immune system functioning and may prevent certain medical conditions. Get your fill by munching on blueberries, goji berries, artichokes and, yes, dark chocolate.

Probiotics are live bacteria that promote digestive and oral health, keep blood pressure in check and protect against UTIs. They can be taken in supplement form, but they’re also found in foods like yogurt, kimchi, miso and kombucha.

Similar to fat, carbs get a bad name, but good carbs like whole grain bread, oats and fruits and veggies provide energy and fuel for your entire body and brain in particular.

You know you should be drinking a ton of water every day, but if constantly sipping H2O isn’t second nature, be sure to eat foods that have a high-water content, like cucumbers, watermelon and romaine lettuce, to stay extra hydrated.

And we don’t just mean kale. Expand your repertoire with collard greens, Swiss chard, broccoli rabe, mustard greens, rapini and turnip greens. They’re all high in vitamins C and K, as well as iron and calcium.