Yes, variety is the spice of life—and one of the keys to a balanced diet. Still, there are some foods that are so full of vitamins and minerals, the people who know the most about nutrition make sure to eat them (almost) every day. Find out the foods and drinks that nutritionist say they make a point to eat as often as possible—and consider adding them to your regular rotation.
The article The Foods That 9 Nutritionists Say They Eat Every Day originally ran on WomensHealthMag.com.
Pistachios
2/10
Pistachios
"Though I love pretty much any nut you can throw at me, pistachios are one of my favorite. You can have two large handfuls for just 160 calories, plus they're loaded with healthy fats and are downright tasty. I also like that you have to take them out of the shell, which slows things down so you can savor the flavor."
—Joy Bauer, MS, RD, founder of NourishSnacks and the nutrition and health expert for NBC's TODAY Show
Green juice or smoothie
3/10
Green juice or smoothie
"I always have a green juice or smoothie, as it's a surefire way to load up on nutrients."
—Katie Cavuto, MS, RD, the dietician for the Phillies and the Flyers
Coffee, arugula, and popcorn
4/10
Coffee, arugula, and popcorn
"Coffee—it has so many benefits to almost every part of the body (brain, skin, heart, etc.)."
"I also eat arugula daily because it's green and I love the taste—and popcorn because it's high in antioxidants and fiber."
—Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, a wellness manager at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute
Greek yogurt, almond butter, and chocolate
5/10
Greek yogurt, almond butter, and chocolate
"Greek yogurt, almond butter, and chocolate. I honestly can find a use for plain, nonfat Greek yogurt in just about anything (sweet or savory!). It's high-protein, nutrient-rich, and low-calorie—which makes it great with fruit and an easy base for dip instead of anything cream- or mayo-based. And it's now pretty widely available, so it's easy to grab when I'm in a time crunch. Almond butter is delicious, high in protein and monounsaturated fat, and automatically makes any snack or breakfast more satiating (need I mention tasty). Yes, it's high-calorie, so loading up on tablespoon after tablespoon is an easy way to overdo it (the serving is one tablespoon!). But it's filling—especially when eaten with a high-fiber food for a snack (my favorite are pears)—so you don't need much. And I eat chocolate because it's delicious. Period."
—Jaclyn London, MS, RD, senior clinical dietician at Mount Sinai Hospital
Salad
6/10
Salad
"Almost every dinner I have, whether at home or out, I start with a salad."
"Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and slivered almonds is my go-to when making it myself."
—Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet
Eggs and lettuce
7/10
Eggs and lettuce
"I eat eggs almost every day. I find them to be the perfect breakfast or a really simple way to get protein in when I'm busy working or with my kids. The added vitamins like choline are an extra plus, too! There is always something green with lunch and dinner. Lately I've been obsessing over Gotham Greens lettuce and make a super-quick lunch or dinner side daily with it."
—Brooke Alpert, M.S., R.D., founder of B Nutritious
Cruciferous vegetables
8/10
Cruciferous vegetables
"Something cruciferous; cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale tend to be higher in protein than most vegetables and have also been associated with lower cancer risk in research literature."
—Michelle Davenport, PhD, RD, a Silicon Valley nutritionist
Almonds
9/10
Almonds
"Almonds. Ever since I was young, I was convinced I was craving almonds because my body needed its daily dose of vitamin E. These are still part of my diet whether it be as a snack or tossed onto my oatmeal, yogurt, or salad."
—Keri Glassman, RD, Women's Health contributor
Oatmeal and milk
10/10
Oatmeal and milk
"I don't have a food that I have every single day, but I do eat oatmeal with organic milk for breakfast about 80% of the time because I love the taste."
"It provides protein and fiber, and it satisfies me."
—Mitzi Dulan, RD, author of The Pinterest Diet
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