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Can you picture what the perfect food looks like? We’re not talking about a loaded pizza, or a towering sundae (as delicious as that sounds), but rather the most nutritious option you can think of. Your body needs nutrients for optimal function, but sometimes it’s not easy to know which foods are the best options.
Luckily for us, science has the answer. In a study by the National Research Foundation of Korea, scientists investigated over 1,000 different raw foods to evaluate their nutritional composition. Nutrients were assessed in groups of protein-rich, fat-rich, carbohydrate-rich, and low-calorie properties. The result? A list of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world!
See how you can incorporate these foods into your meal plan — and find out what a balanced diet can do for your overall health.
The fuel your body needs
What are nutrients, exactly? Beyond carbs, proteins, and fats, there are a few more key players to consider. Let’s break down what other nutrients should be included in a varied diet:
Vitamins
You’ve heard it before: staying healthy means getting your daily vitamins. But besides vitamin D, your body can’t produce any on its own — meaning that all necessary vitamins must come from food (or supplements). Some of the most important? Vitamins A, C, E, and B complex are all essential for cell health and regeneration.
Minerals
These inorganic substances come from rocks or soil and help to keep your bones, muscles, and organs working as they should. A couple of the most notable? Magnesium and potassium — both found inside one breakfast favorite: the banana.
Antioxidants
Cartenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids — you might not be as familiar with essential antioxidants as vitamins and minerals. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less important.
A diet rich in antioxidants plays a crucial role in combatting inflammation and neutralizing free radicals from environmental stressors, including pollution. Free radicals can accelerate tissue and organ damage — and as your skin is your body’s largest organ, antioxidants are also essential for a healthy, radiant complexion.
How much does your diet affect your skin? Check out which fresh superfoods help you glow from the inside out.
The most nutrient-dense foods on earth
10. Snapper
Be prepared for quite a bit of fish on this list! Snapper are generally found in more tropical waters, but this fish family is huge (at 105 species). The most common type sold in the USA is the red snapper, found in deep Atlantic waters.
As a delicate fish, it’s versatile and can be cooked in many different ways. Add it to your shopping list to get your daily dose of vitamins D and E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
9. Beetroot greens
A part of the beetroot often overlooked, the green leafy section is actually the most nutritious (not that beets themselves should be ignored). They can also be tasty, so don’t toss out the leaves when cooking — try using them as a spinach substitute instead. Beet greens are rich in K and B group vitamins, along with calcium and iron.
8. Pork fat
One of the more surprising items on the list, but compared to other animal fats, pork fat is much more nutritional and less saturated than beef or lamb fats. It’s also a good source of B vitamins and other minerals. But, try adding it into your diet only in moderation, avoiding heavily processed versions.
7. Swiss chard
More leafy greens, more chances to get creative with your recipes. This one’s somewhere in the middle of spinach and kale if you’re thinking about how to cook it. It’s versatile and can work in salads or simply sautéed with garlic as a quick side dish. Containing calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, swiss chard is packed full of nutrients.
6. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds, and seeds from other squash varieties, are rich plant-based sources of iron, manganese, fiber, magnesium, and healthy fats. They’re also rich in antioxidants and fatty acids — and thanks to their availability and compact size, they’re easy to add to any diet! You can eat them in yogurt, use them in salads, add them to bread dough, and of course, enjoy them on their own.
5. Chia seeds
These little seeds have earned their place at the top of many superfood lists, so their spot here might not come as a surprise. Chia seeds contain fiber, protein, phenolic acid, and a variety of vitamins. Sprinkle them over salads, use them in your overnight oats, and add them to smoothies.
4. Flatfish
What is flatfish, exactly? This seafood category includes sole, flounder, turbot, plaice, and halibut. This type of fish is generally low in mercury (and calories) while also being a reliable source of vitamin B1, vitamin D, phosphorous, and potassium.
3. Ocean perch
There are many different types of perch around the world, but this list of nutrient-dense foods only refers to one — the ocean perch, found in the Atlantic. Depending on where you’re from, you might also call it a rockfish. No matter the name, this fish is a high-protein, low saturated fat option — making it a win-win for a balanced diet.
2. Cherimoya
While it’s not so commonly seen outside of Latin America, the cherimoya (sometimes spelled chirimoya) is a creamy-textured fruit that grows in tropical regions around the world. What does it taste like? Almost like a tropical fruit smoothie — a mix of banana, mango, and coconut. In addition to tasting great, it’s rich in natural sugars, potassium, and vitamins.
1. Almonds
There you have it — the humble almond can be considered the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. Used to the spotlight by now, almonds have been at the center of multiple studies on heart health and diabetes-related benefits. They’re packed with nutrients: fiber, mono-unsaturated fats, magnesium, vitamin E, and plant-based protein. Raw almonds are great to snack on, so try to include a small serving (around one ounce) of this power food in your diet when you can.
So, now that you’ve discovered the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, it’s time to get creative! Experiment with new recipes and tastes, and add some variety to your diet with these nutrient-rich foods — your body, and your skin, will thank you for it.
Sources and references: Kim, S., Sung, J., Foo, M., Jin, YS., Kim, PJ. Uncovering the Nutritional Landscape of Food. PLOS One. March 13 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118697 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=almonds https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170567/nutrients https://www.britannica.com/animal/snapper
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Editorial Team
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its wonder. As wellness journalists, we explore topics that invigorate the senses and keep curiosity alive. We believe that glowing skin is the result of a healthy body and mind. Weaving beauty with science, we aim to inspire you to live young at every age.
