The healthy foods you’re not eating

YOU may be all over quinoa and love kale, but there are some less common health foods that you need to start incorporating into your diet.

You may be all over quinoa and love kale, but there are some less common health foods that you need to start incorporating into your diet.

These foods are jam-packed with nutrients and are a great way to mix up your diet.

Red cabbage

Go for this vibrant-hued cabbage the next time you’re in the mood to mix things up in the vegie department. Red cabbage is low in calories, high in fibre, plus it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K.

Sardines

They may be tiny but sardines pack a punch in the nutrition department. They’re high in omega-3 fats which are great for the heart, along with vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and B vitamins. If you’re looking for a fish alternative consider adding sardines to your food repertoire.

Pumpkin seeds

You may occasionally come across these tiny bite-sized bits of goodness in a protein ball recipe or as a topping on salads but consider adding them to your diet as a snack alternative. The seeds are actually the most nutritious part of a pumpkin! They’re high in magnesium, full of copper, protein and zinc and are also a great source of antioxidants.

Radishes

Radishes are a great detoxifier and help eliminate toxins and free radicals from the body. They’re also jam packed with vitamin C and are a great source of folate, fibre, vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium.

Purple carrots

Orange carrots? Been there, done that. So how about the purple variety? They’re equally as healthy, if not more so. Purple carrots contain vitamin E and beta carotene like their orange counterparts but are also full of anthocyanins, the antioxidant compound that can help improve memory, protect against heart attacks and enhance vision. Plus who doesn’t love the novelty of a purple carrot?

Swiss chard

You may know this green leafy vegetable by its other name silverbeet. Just one cup of Swiss chard can provide you with 300 per cent of your required daily intake of vitamin K. It’s also a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A and is full of magnesium, potassium, iron and fibre.

Turnips

Along with broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale, turnips are part of the nutritious cruciferous family. Turnips are full of vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and potassium. They’re a great low-calorie alternative to potatoes and are packed full of fibre which will help you stay full for longer.

For more articles on nutrition, head to Body + Soul.

Originally published as The healthy foods you’re not eating