“My Dietitian Recommended It”: 30 Delicious Foods That Are Actually Good For You

To learn more about food that taste almost too good to be healthy, we reached out to Miranda Galati, MHSc, RD, Dietitian and Owner of Real Life Nutritionist. Miranda was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and share her thoughts on eating a well-balanced yet tasty diet.

"You don’t have to eat foods you hate to eat better and support your health. Everyone’s tastes are different, and the key to eating healthy long-term is finding the foods that taste delicious to you," the expert says. "For me, the healthy foods that taste the best are whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter, popcorn, fresh berries, sweet fruits (grapes, pineapple, mango), chickpea and lentil pasta, full fat Greek yogurt, and even plain rice."

"It’s also super helpful to add flavor with herbs, aromatics, spices, and sauces," Miranda added. "I don’t know if anyone loves plain carrots, but I definitely love them dipped in a flavorful Greek yogurt ranch."

If anyone out there thinks that they don't enjoy eating healthy, Miranda says the first thing to know is that you shouldn't eat foods you hate just because they’re healthy. "Or, add some sauce and flavor to them so that you can genuinely get enjoyment from them. Eating bland, healthy foods you don’t like is a recipe for a diet that’s short-lived," she shared. "And in our world where thousands of foods are at our finger tips, there’s always a swap that will satisfy you more."

"I also recommend finding recipes for meals you love that are made a little lighter. If you crave spaghetti and meatballs regularly, use a recipe with leaner meat and high fiber pasta," Miranda recommends. "If you love dessert, make homemade muffins or high protein ice cream. There are so many incredible recipes out there for more balanced versions of traditionally indulgent recipes — utilize those!"

"And don’t forget, satisfaction matters for sustainability," Miranda says. "If you can find a balance between nutrition and enjoyment, you’re more likely to stick to your healthy diet in the long-term. Make room for the foods you love and stick to healthier options the rest of the time — even the healthiest diet can make room for an indulgent chocolate chip cookie."

We were also curious about the benefits of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. "More nutrient-dense foods offer a lot of benefits. First, they tend to be less processed which means they’re more filling. This lower palatability also makes it easier for us to stop eating this nutritious foods when we feel full," Miranda shared.

"These healthier foods also provide vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to protect against disease and support healthy cells. Nutrient-dense foods also tend to have more balance proportions of fiber, carbs, protein, and healthy fats, so you can feel more energized all day," the dietitian says. "Eating nutritious foods will benefit your energy, mood, blood sugar, digestion, sleep, and so much more."