Lemons
Broccoli
Broccoli gets a lot of flak for being the bland food kids stay away from, but this under-appreciated vegetable has many nutrients the body needs, including folate, fiber, vitamins C and A and calcium. As little as a half a cup of this flexible ingredient contains more than half of your daily requirement for vitamin K and vitamin C! A small study from 2012 also showed it can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are both major players in cardiovascular diseases.
RECIPE: Broccoli and Kale Frittata
Egg
The humble egg sure does pack a lot of punch. Although they're small and inexpensive, eggs are powerhouses that can help moms feel full and energized for a long time. Within each shell is a rich source of protein and essential nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium and choline. And because they have high levels of antioxidants, eggs can even help prevent age-related eye conditions. The best part? There seems to be an infinite number of delicious ways to incorporate eggs in your meals.
RECIPE: 101 Egg Recipes
Avocado
Photos of avocados are inescapable when you're on Instagram, and that's because the fruit definitely lives up to its hype. Among other benefits, avocados can help your skin and hair look its best. They contain vitamins C and E, as well as healthy monounsaturated fat and omega-6 fats, which all help to reduce inflammation, protect skin cells from damage and prevent moisture loss from the skin. On top of that, avocados are loaded with potassium and fiber, and they're pretty much rocking it as nature's butter (toast will never be the same again).
RECIPE: Baked Egg in Avocado
Peanut Butter
Kids (and dogs) may be onto something. Peanut butter is a great source for heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Many studies show people who regularly eat peanut butter or diets that include nuts are less likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The good ol' PB is also a great source of protein. You'll feel full for longer and will be less likely to snack on other, more sugary treats.
Bananas
If you've already begun to spread peanut butter on your toast, don't forget to add bananas. Bananas are one of the most commonly eaten fruits, and why not when it's full of potassium goodness, which plays a huge role in balancing the body's fluids and helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels by counteracting the effects of sodium. This heart-healthy, energy-boosting fruit is also rich in soluble fiber and Vitamins B6 and C.
RECIPE: Miso Banana Bread
Popcorn
Popcorn is perhaps one of the most unexpected superfoods, and no we're not talking about the kind smothered in butter or drizzled in caramel like what you might get at the movies. Popcorn, even with just a little salt and oil, is an awesome snack that's packed with fiber. It could even have higher antioxidant levels than fruits and vegetables (although those nutritional kernels of power should never replace them).
The researcher behind this startling claim also praises popcorn for being the only snack that is 100 percent unprocessed whole grain.
"One serving of popcorn will provide more than 70 percent of the daily intake of whole grain. The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn could fill that gap in a very pleasant way," Joe Vinson, a researcher at the University of Scranton, told the American Chemical Society.
RECIPE: Rosemary Popcorn Mix Recipe
