If you know you should be eating more healthily, but don’t know where to start, here’s something to try. Food scientists from Leatherhead Food Research in the UK spent years investigating how healthy certain foods really are. As a result, they came up with a menu made from foods deemed to be extra good for us.
Here’s what they believe to be the healthiest meal ever:
Terrine made with fresh and smoked salmon
Mixed leaf side salad with extra virgin olive oil dressing
High-fibre multigrain bread roll
Chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables
Live yoghurt-based blancmange, topped with walnuts and sugarfree caramel topping
Pure spring water
Superfoods
What is it about this mix of foods that is so good for you?
The salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep cholesterol under control. It also has a compound called DHA, which is good for your arteries, heart and brain.
The salad is packed full of nutrients, while the olive oil dressing helps to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.
The folates found in the multigrain bread boost brain power and help babies as they develop in the womb.
The protein in the chicken helps build strong muscles, while lentils are a good source of pantothenic acid – which can help reduce tiredness and improve mental performance.
The vegetables, of course, provide lots of necessary vitamins and minerals.
The live yoghurt used to create the dessert is good for digestion, as well as your teeth and bones as a source of calcium. It can also help keep blood sugars under control. The walnuts are good for your heart and your brain.
The water will keep your body hydrated and your kidneys working well.
More options
The scientists also came up with some suggestions for healthy snacks. These include:
A handful of walnuts (abundant in omega 3)
A berry smoothie (berries are packed full of antioxidants and are one of nature’s superfoods)
Sugar-free chewing gum (to neutralise acids that are known to cause plaque).
To develop this list, the researchers spent nearly five years looking into more than 44,000 foods, all said to have alleged health benefits. They originally intended to find the healthiest meal you could have on a plane, but realised the superdish they came up with could benefit people everywhere – not just those who were travelling.
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