What are the top five foods?

Q: I have a lot of trouble sifting through all the information in magazines and the internet on how to eat a healthy diet. Everyone seems to have a different opinion, and it sometimes becomes confusing. In your experience, what are the best foods for helping build muscle while staying lean and healthy?

A: I could go on for hours on this topic, but for the sake of time and space I’ve decided to list five foods that I believe everyone could benefit from including in their diet. Give them a try and you’ll be surprised at the results.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal has often been called the perfect food. It’s low in fat, high in fiber and gives you long-lasting energy. It keeps your insulin levels stable, helping you lose fat while promoting muscle growth. It has also been proven to help lower cholesterol. What else could you possibly ask for in a food?

Eggs

Years ago, eggs got a bad rap because they were considered to have too much cholesterol. Don’t be fooled. Eggs are an excellent source of protein because they contain all of the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce. This means they are excellent muscle builders. They are also loaded with every vitamin and mineral the human body needs to function. Recent studies have upgraded eggs to one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. Don’t miss out on this muscle-building powerhouse.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates that give you long-lasting energy and help you feel full and satisfied. They are also known for stabilizing your blood sugar levels, making it difficult to gain fat. They are loaded with vitamins and can be very sweet if you bake or grill them long enough.

Blueberries

Blueberries are great because they are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that help your body recover from tough workouts. They are also low in calories and make the perfect food to snack on. Research has shown blueberries to be one of the top disease-fighting foods, making them a must for anyone concerned with staying healthy.

Fish

Fish is a great food to include in your diet because it’s high in protein, low in fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. This means fish can help build muscle, burn fat and protect your heart all at the same time. It doesn’t matter what type of fish you prefer as long as you prepare it correctly. Don’t ruin its nutritional value by frying it. I’d suggest grilling it, baking it or broiling with low-fat cooking spray or a little bit of olive oil. My favorites are tuna, salmon and catfish.

There are many other foods out there that can help you get the body you want while keeping you strong and healthy. These are five of the foods that I believe are essential to achieving your goals.