8 of the Best Foods to Eat in Your 20s ...

Casey

8 of the Best Foods to Eat in Your 20s ...
8 of the Best Foods to Eat in Your 20s ...

Best foods to eat in your 20s should be nothing short of delicious and nutritious; trust me, as someone who spent their university years living off questionable canteen grub, I know exactly what it means to crave some decent chow. Ahh, the halcyon days of June 2024, freshly post-graduation and living the dream – or should I say, surviving the nightmare – of making ramen noodles gourmet. But let's not dwell on my culinary misadventures and dive into a flavorful journey that promises to impress your taste buds and sustain you through the whirlwind that is your twenties.

Now, let's cut to the chase. Whether you’re wrapping up another all-nighter or just need something to munch on while pretending to listen in your Zoom class, knowing the best foods to eat in your twenties can make all the difference. Not only do these nutrient-packed delights keep you energized, but they also help in counteracting all those late-night pizza orders. You know the ones. Here are some of the primary keywords of foods you definitely want on your radar: avocados, blueberries, salmon, quinoa, and spinach. Yup, we're going full-on superfood mode here.

Starting with avocados, the hipster fruit that’s not just for toast. It's also perfect for those Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls that make you look like you've got your life together. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and they help keep your skin looking as fab as an Instagram filter. Moving on to blueberries, another essential item in your superfood arsenal. Dubbed as nature's candy, these little gems are packed with antioxidants that battle free radicals – the villainous molecules that can make you age faster than you can say "quarter-life crisis."

Next up, we've got salmon. Trust me, incorporating this oily wonder into your diet is a real game-changer. High in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps keep your brain sharp and your mood balanced – crucial when you're juggling internships, part-time jobs, and whatever semblance of a social life you’ve managed to maintain. And let’s not forget quinoa; no list of the best foods to eat in your 20s would be complete without this protein-packed grain. It’s versatile enough to blend into salads or stand as a side dish, and it keeps you full without that dreaded carb-coma.

Finally, spinach. Ah, the leafy green that Popeye swore by. Whether you’re blending it into smoothies or sneaking it into omelets, spinach is a rich source of iron and calcium – everything you need to keep up with your ever-demanding schedule. And let's be real, adulting ain't easy, but at least these foods help make it a tad more manageable.

Don't worry; we’re just getting started. This culinary treasure hunt is packed with even more delightful discoveries to keep your twenties as vibrant and energized as you are – or at least as your coffee thinks you are.

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1. Lean Beef

This is good for all of the burger lovers. Lean beef is high in protein and iron. Iron-deficiency is common with women in their 20s. Lack of iron can cause weakness, fatigue, and inability to pay attention. Eating meat is one of the easier ways to get enough iron into your system. Lean beef will ensure that you’ll get plenty of iron and protein to keep your energy levels up, without the excessive fat. Although steak has a bad rap, it actually may help peel off those extra pounds. Lean beef is just one of the foods to eat in your 20's.

2. Beans

"Beans, beans are good for your heart…" Believe it or not, this silly song is proven to be true. Beans, of all kinds - lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, soybeans - are all high in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure will lower your risk of future heart disease. Incorporating beans into your daily meals is easy! When you’re grabbing a salad instead of throwing in croutons, which is SO pre-20s, throw in some beans. Beans are also high in fiber, giving you that full feeling.

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3. Greek Yogurt

Getting just the perfect amount of Vitamin D and calcium will help strengthen your bones, which experts say is very important before hitting your 30s. Once turning 30 you start losing bone mass. Therefore, starting your day with some Greek yogurt will help fulfill the servings you need. Forget about the dips and salads filled with fat and sugar, such as the onion dips and the potato salads, you used to munch on before your 20s. You can use Greek yogurt to make those same dips and salads, that way you get the same taste with much more nutritional value.

4. Salmon

Your 20’s consist of fun times as well as serious business. That means meals with friends and meals with co-workers. Salmon is always a great option when on the menu. Going through such changes in your 20s is tough and it may sound silly, but salmon can help! Salmon, which is jam packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, may help prevent or may treat depression since it can play a role in stabling your mood by increasing level of feel-good serotonin. Mix the fish in with a salad and you’re good to go!

5. Berries

No more cookies or cupcakes! It's time to kill the sweet craving with some berries. Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blueberries, are nutrient-rich and loaded with fiber and vitamin C. A handful of these berries will satisfy that sugar-crave without the surge of insulin. Berries have some of the highest antioxidant levels of all commonly consumed fruits. To make a mini meal out of berries, mix it up with some plain yogurt and low-fat granola. This is a fabulous treat instead of those cookies or an ice cream sundae.

6. Eggs

Dig into eggs. Whether you eat eggs sunny side up, scrambled, or as an omelet, eggs are a great substitute from your pastry breakfast that you ate pre-20s. Often in your 20s, you’re lacking on high-quality, hunger-squashing proteins. Eggs are a great source of protein to crush that hunger and keep you going. All-in-all people who start their day with eggs feel fuller for longer. Feeling fuller for longer will stop you from snacking just like you did in college!

7. Vegetables

When entering into your 20s, you’ll begin to realize that the real world will keep you busy, busy. You always want to be prepared with grab-and-go vegetables instead of a grab-and-go bag of potato chips. Anything you can slice to dip into hummus or guacamole will help kick that junk-food habit to the side. Filling up on raw vegetables can help limit breakouts. Throw in some protein, such as the lean beef or chicken, with mixed veggies to make some delicious fajitas as a meal! Incorporating veggies into your new 20s diet is easy.

8. Quinoa

It’s typical to make a sandwich with white bread or go out for dinner and order a pasta dish. Start reconsidering your choices and look for quinoa. Quinoa is a whole grain that is packed with fiber, a lot more than other types of grain, iron, and all types of nutrients. This super food is has a sufficient amount of protein, helping to keep your hunger quiet. It’s also relatively low in carbs. Quinoa is rich in magnesium. Magnesium has a bunch of benefits. In your 20s, it’s beneficial for detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth!

There you have it, a delicious and nutritious list of foods to eat in your 20s! Just by substituting the foods you used to eat will help you stay fit, maintain or help with weight, and prevent disease and other conditions. The older you get, the nutrients your body desires change. When picking which foods to eat or snack on, just keep in mind that there are so many healthy options that will boost your physical and mental health. As the body changes, the food that was once easy on the body also changes. Slight and slow modifications are key! What foods will you munch on now that your in your 20s?

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And what about 30-ties?!

I died a little inside after reading 1,3,4, and 6. But all the others are good. I think the biggest problem I have is when the article told me that I need to eat yogurt for calcium. Yogurts pretty acidic which means the body has to work hard to bring its pH back to normal. In order to do this the body uses an alkaline buffer. That alkaline buffer is calcium and it is stored in bones. When something acidic is consumed the body takes calcium from the bones to rebalance itself which in the long run can lead to osteoporosis. So if you're worried about getting calcium the last thing you want to eat is any animal products.

Love this

Salmon, veggies, beans. I've triied Greek youqurt but iits nasty to me.