Improving one’s own health can be a dire task. If you’re one who doesn’t like to prepare proper food and who lives off on fast food take outs, this might be a huge leap for you. A bit difficult, but not impossible.

Aspiring for a long and healthy life does not come easy if you’re unwilling to make some changes. Putting a conscious effort in in this change does add up to the longevity of life that you want.

The best place to start living healthily is to eat healthy. Here are the 5 foods that you should eat every day.

Leafy Greens

A professor from Columbia University named Audrey Cross, author of numerous dietary guides, said that many people pass by the greenery section of the supermarket because people don’t know how to prepare them. Here are the leafy, green vegetables you should eat: spinach, broccoli, Swiss Chars, mustard greens, bok choy and kale (the vegetable with the highest antioxidant content among all leafy greens).

Leafy greens are generally bitter because of its phytochemical content. You can use your favorite dressing to cover up the bitter taste.

Flaxseeds

These tiny things are rich in fiber and can lower your cholesterol. Aside from that, it treats constipation too. Flaxseeds can also help you stay healthy as it contains polyphenols that can also prevent cancer. It contains omega-3 fatty acids too, so this is also very good for your heart health.

Flaxseeds, thought very nutritious, can be a little tricky to store. You have to put them in the fridge or they’ll go rancid. Preparing them is quite simple. You can simply put them inside a coffee grinder, or a heavy-duty blender, sprinkle it on top of your salads, cereals or even yogurt snacks. You can also toss them on your meatloaf, meat dishes and cookie batters.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not just good for making cookies, they are also great for your metabolism. Known as a good source of fiber, oatmeal is can also keep your cholesterol at bay. Oatmeal generally contains lesser calories, no sugar and is versatile in many dishes.

You can add this in your morning cereal or eat it plain with a little non-fat milk or almond milk. Oatmeal will help you feel fuller in longer periods of time, so this is a good way to pang your appetite.

Olive Oil

This oil is very versatile as it can be used for cooking and making dressings for your salad. This powerhouse food goes perfectly well with green leafy vegetables and can be used for other forms of cooking. The term “extra virgin” denotes to the less processed kind and should be your number one choice.

The reason why this is good for you is because olive oil doesn’t cling to your arteries. Unlike other saturated fats, olive oil contains antioxidants called polyphenols that are also found in green teas.

Tea and Coffee

As long as you don’t add sugar and milk, tea and coffee can be your best friend at any time of the day. It’s a great way to kick start your morning as it contains caffeine. Caffeine is good for the body’s thermogenesis – this promotes faster metabolic rate and weight loss.

Aside from that, they can make you very regular in the bathroom. Green tea is most especially good for you because it is rich in polyphenols that can fight free radicals.

There are still a number of healthy foods out there. Eating right requires proper planning as well. It will be difficult at the beginning, but it will also be very worthwhile in the long run. The best time to start is now. With a little bit of research, you can begin the kind of healthy lifestyle you want.