Credit: Andrew Zimmer/Thrillist
If you're sick of hearing about how kale changed your sister's roommate's cousin's life, you're not alone. Kale advocates -- along with coconut oil champions, quinoa supporters, and chia spokespeople -- are singing an old and long-winded tune.
So if you want to mix up your go-to healthy foods, check out some of the options that nutritionists and health professionals think are underrated.
Red bell peppers
When it comes to vitamin C, oranges get all the credit. But one red bell pepper serves up more than twice the vitamin C you need in a day, landing it on the list of nutritionist Karen Ansel, author of Healthy in a Hurry: Simple, Wholesome Recipes for Every Meal of the Day. Vitamin C keeps your skin smooth and healthy by helping you make more collagen, which is essential for firm, strong skin.
Oatmeal
So many people focus on what you shouldn't eat to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, but an equally important part of the equation is what you can eat -- like oatmeal. Ansel likes oatmeal because it's rich in soluble fiber, which reduces cholesterol in your bloodstream. It's also full of fiber, so it can help control those mid-morning cravings.
Canned salmon
Just like fresh salmon, canned salmon is also a tremendous source of heart-friendly omega-3 fats -- and many brands pack theirs without bones or skin, making it an incredibly convenient option and another of Ansel's favorites. Another perk? It keeps for a long time on the shelf, so you can always store it in your pantry to whip up a quick salmon salad for lunch.
Low-sodium vegetable juice
Stop spending upwards of $10 on fresh fruit juices, and turn your attention toward low-sodium vegetable juice. Ansel advocates this option because low-sodium vegetable juices are usually jammed with vitamins A and C, plus potassium, not to mention the fact that they're low in sugar and calories... and, perhaps most importantly, lower in cost than the stuff you'll get at the trendy neighborhood juice bar.
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/ZELJKODAN
Dates
Dates aren't just your grandma's favorite fruit, they're also loaded with fiber, vitamin A, potassium (over three times more than bananas, ounce for ounce), iron, fluorine, and B vitamins. Nicknamed "nature's candy," dates are wildly easy to digest, providing instant energy, says Talia Pollock, plant-based chef, health coach, and blogger behind Party in My Plants.
Remove their pits and re-stuff them with nut butter, blend them into a smoothie, or use a food processor to turn them into snack balls and bars, and you'll have the perfect pre-workout snack.
Miso
Everyone loves miso soup, so it's weird that miso itself doesn't get more credit. But Pollock thinks it should: made from fermented soybeans, miso is a probiotic food, which means it boosts your immunity, digestion, and overall well-being. It's also high in B vitamins, making it a great choice for easing stress and PMS, improving memory, and even reducing the risk of heart disease.
Pollock suggests using the slightly sweet and super-salty paste as a replacement for salt -- it's a great addition to homemade dressings, pestos, and other dips.
Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/GRAFVISION
Ginger
Ginger may not be anything special to look at, but it's got a hunk of health benefits that Pollock loves. Known in India as the "universal medicine," ginger has long been used to combat all kinds of gastrointestinal distress, and its flavor is pretty amazing, too. Add it to tea, smoothies, baked goods, soups, stir-fries -- you get the picture. Add it to everything.
Like Thrillist on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Thrillist
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.