The List! The Essential Foods that Every Adult Needs

As a supplement to my other "The List!" article about Vitamins and Supplements (no pun intended ;-) I've decided to log the most important foods every adult should include as a regular part of his or her diet. I have always loved to read about how food and vitamins and supplements interact with and support a healthy body! I've poured through countless diet books and nutrition articles over the years and in an effort to keep my final list handy so I can share it with my friends and colleagues, I'm publishing it on IH.

I recently turned 40 and realized that what they say is true, your body really does change as you get older. Even though I exercise regularly and take a handful of essential vitamins and supplements daily, I know the importance of eating the right kinds of foods to nourish your body.  Here is my end-all list of the essential foods --found at the grocery store and farmer's market-- that every adult should be eating.

It goes without saying, if you can buy organic, cage-free, hormone-free, pesticide-free, etcetera-free varieties, DO SO! The long-term health benefit that organic food provides is well worth the extra dollars at the check out stand.

Proteins:

• Eggs - especially the omega-3 enriched variety
• Fish - especially Alaska Wild Salmon, Cod, Bass, Whitefish, Sole, Tilapia, Mahi Mahi, Tuna
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Lamb
• Beef

Vegies:

• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Avacados
• Edamame

Fruits:

• Lemons and Limes
• Bananas
• Melons - watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew

Cereals, Nuts and Seeds:

• Walnuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Bran
• Ground Flax seeds
• Wheat flakes

Oils, vinegars and spices:

• Olive oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Apple Cider vinegar

Beverages:

• Herbal coffee
• Herbal tea
• Cranberry juice - unsweetened, mix with water
• Red wine

Sweeties:

• Flora Key
• Stevia-Plus
• Real cocoa dark chocolate

Keep in mind this is my personal list of best advice practices I've compiled over the years.  It is not meant as a substitute for medical advice. A Votre Sante!