Do eat: Grapefruit
You’ll be surprised to learn how many nutrients are packed into grapefruit. Just half of a grapefruit contains 64 percent of your daily recommended vitamin C, as well as small amounts of protein, vitamin A, manganese, thiamine, folate, and magnesium.
In a 2006 study, researchers found that when participants ate half a grapefruit before each meal, they lost an average of 3.5 lbs in 12 weeks, most likely because of grapefruits’ high fiber and water content. Plus, half a grapefruit contains only 52 calories, making it one of the lowest-calorie fruits.
Grapefruit also contains a large variety of antioxidants. One of these is lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer in a number of studies. Grapefruit contains flavonenes as well, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Do eat: AvocadoAs
if you needed another reason to love avocado, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should be super excited about them. According to one study, an avocado not only contains high amounts of vitamin E, potassium, and iron, but they’re also high in fat. Why is that good, you ask? Because it’s monounsaturated fat, and it’s the kind that helps lower your cholesterol.
There’s more, too. The potassium in avocados helps manage blood pressure and fight fatigue, and they’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help you reduce the risk of heart disease. There’s vitamins B6, C, and D, too, which your immune system needs to keep you healthy. Some of the types of fat in avocados have even been shown to help protect against certain types of cancers.
Avocados are high in calories — one can contain about 400 — but as a part of a healthy diet, they’re a must. Try it for breakfast as avocado toast, or filled with an egg and baked.
