I put together this glossary so you can quickly reference the benefits of different foods. Use it for yourself, your family, and/or your clients. Please note that I don’t cover all the benefits of each food listed—just the most powerful ones, in my opinion. For a comprehensive list, use a search engine.
Most high-quality grocery stores stock all of these items, but you may have to go to a health food store or ethnic specialty store for some. If there’s not one in your area, there are great online shopping options.
You may or may not have heard of the term “primary food” which I pioneered. Primary food is the things that feed you off the plate: your career, relationships, spirituality, and exercise. When your life fulfills you, you don’t need excessive food. Many people emotionally eat to try to soothe sadness or fill a deep void they feel in themselves. When you create a beautiful, exciting, full life for yourself, you don’t need to overeat to feel good.
If you’re an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, please remember that it’s not your job to diagnose, prescribe, or cure illnesses. Guide your clients to experiment with different foods, always under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Keep in mind that many different foods boast the same benefits, and eating a wide range of nutrient-dense foods is key to optimal health. This glossary is meant as a quick resource for you to reference specific foods, health benefits you’re seeking, or conditions you’re looking for nutrition support on.
Above all, focus on primary food and practical lifestyle tools with yourself, family, and clients, and you’ll see much deeper transformations than if you only addressed food.
Enjoy!
Almonds
Health Benefits
Reduce heart attack risk, lower bad cholesterol (LDL), protect artery walls, build strong bones and teeth, aid weight loss
Nutritional Information
1 oz contains 163 calories, 14g fat, 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 200 mg potassium, 6 g carbs, 3.5 g fiber, 1.1 g sugar
Serving Size
1 handful
Diet Specifications
Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits
Helps control diabetes and blood sugar, improves digestion and gut health, boosts immunity
Improves digestion, lowers bad cholesterol, balances blood sugar
Nutritional Information
1 medium apple contains 95 calories, 0.3 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 2 mg sodium, 195 mg potassium, 25 g carbs, 4.4 g fiber, 19 g sugar
Serving Size
1 medium apple
Diet Specifications
Arugula
Health Benefits
Fights inflammation, improves bone health, decreases risk of diabetes, aids digestion
Nutritional Information
½ cup contains 3 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 37 mg potassium, 0.4 g carbs, 0.2 g fiber, 0.2 g sugar
Serving Size
½ cup
Diet Specifications
Asparagus
Health Benefits
Reduces inflammation, supports digestion, regulates blood sugar, improves heart health
Nutritional Information
1 cup contains 27 calories, 0.2 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 271 mg potassium, 5 g carbs, 2.8 g fiber, 2.5 g sugar
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Avocado
Health Benefits
Supports heart health, lowers cholesterol levels, improves digestive and skin health
Nutritional Information
1 avocado contains 322 calories, 29 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 14 mg sodium, 975 mg potassium, 17 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 1.3 g sugar, 4 g protein
Serving Size
¼ avocado
Diet Specifications
Bananas
Health Benefits
Supports digestion and circulation, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, improves heart health
Nutritional Information
1 medium banana contains 105 calories, 0.4 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 422 mg potassium, 27 g carbs, 3.1 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 1.3 g protein
Serving Size
1 medium banana
Diet Specifications
Beets
Health Benefits
Improves blood quality and flow, cleanses the body, improves mental function, boosts libido
Nutritional Information
1 cup contains 59 calories, 0.2 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 106 mg sodium, 442 mg potassium, 13 g carbs, 3.8 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 2.2 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Bell Peppers
Health Benefits
Improves immunity, reduces inflammation, supports skin and hair health, protects eye health
Nutritional Information
1 medium bell pepper contains 24 calories, 0.2 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 4 mg sodium, 208 mg potassium, 6 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 2.9 g sugar, 1 g protein
Serving Size
1 medium bell pepper
Diet Specifications
Blackberries
Health Benefits
Reduces inflammation, improves mental function, aids digestion, boosts heart health, aids weight loss
Nutritional Information
1 cup contains 62 calories, 0.7 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 233 mg potassium, 14 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 2 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Blueberries
Health Benefits
Aids digestion, boosts immunity, fights inflammation, decreases the risk of heart disease
Nutritional Information
1 cup contains 85 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 114 mg potassium, 21 g carbs, 3.6 g fiber, 15 g sugar, 1.1 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Bok Choy
Health Benefits
Aids digestion, reduces blood pressure, increases metabolism, reduces inflammation
Nutritional Information
1 cup shredded contains 9 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 46 mg sodium, 176 mg potassium, 1.5 g carbs, 0.7 g fiber, 0.8 g sugar, 1 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup shredded
Diet Specifications
Brazil Nuts
Health Benefits
Improves focus, promotes satiety, boosts immunity and thyroid function, decreases the risk of heart disease; an excellent source of selenium, which contributes to healthy thyroid metabolism and protects the body from oxidative damage and stress
Nutritional Information
1 oz contains 186 calories, 19 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 187 mg potassium, 3.5 g carbs, 2.1 g fiber, 0.7 g sugar, 4.1 g protein
Serving Size
6 nuts
Diet Specifications
Broccoli
Health Benefits
Aids digestion, reduces inflammation, detoxifies the body, supports heart health
Nutritional Information
1 cup chopped contains 31 calories, 0.3 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 30 mg sodium, 288 mg potassium, 6 g carbs, 2.4 g fiber, 1.6 g sugar, 2.6 g protein
1 cup contains 38 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 22 mg sodium, 342 mg potassium, 8 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 3 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Butter
Health Benefits
Improves focus, supports skin health, reduces risk of heart disease, improves good cholesterol; grass-fed varieties of butter contain higher levels of omega 3’s and 6’s
Nutritional Information
1 tablespoon contains 102 calories, 12 g fat, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 mg sodium, 3 mg potassium, 0 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0.1 g protein
Serving Size
1 tablespoon
Diet Specifications
Cabbage
Health Benefits
Lowers bad cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar, prevents inflammation, aids digestion
Nutritional Information
1 cup chopped contains 22 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 16 mg sodium, 151 mg potassium, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 1 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup chopped
Diet Specifications
Cacao
Health Benefits
Improves digestion and circulation, reduces inflammation, improves blood and bone health
Nutritional Information
1 tablespoon raw powder contains 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 87 mg potassium, 3 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 0 sugar, 1 g protein
Serving Size
1 tablespoon
Diet Specifications
Cantaloupe
Health Benefits
Reduces inflammation, aids digestion, improves vision, lowers risk of metabolic syndrome
Nutritional Information
1 cup diced contains 53 calories, 0.3 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 25 mg sodium, 417 mg potassium, 13 g carbs, 1.4 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 1.3 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup diced
Diet Specifications
Carrots
Health Benefits
Improves eye health, aids digestion, balances blood sugar, improves immunity
Nutritional Information
1 medium carrot contains 25 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 42 mg sodium, 195 mg potassium, 6 g carbs, 1.7 g fiber, 2.9 g sugar, 1 g protein
Serving Size
1 medium carrot
Diet Specifications
Cashews
Health Benefits
Protects heart health, increases energy, boosts brain function, supports bone and blood health
Nutritional Information
1 oz contains 157 calories, 12 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 187 mg potassium, 9 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 5 g protein
Serving Size
16 nuts
Diet Specifications
Cauliflower
Health Benefits
Boosts immunity, aids digestion, reduces inflammation, balances blood sugar
Nutritional Information
1 cup contains 25 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 30 mg sodium, 303 mg potassium, 5 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 2 g protein
Serving Size
1 cup
Diet Specifications
Cayenne
Health Benefits
Improves immunity, decreases candida, improves circulation, supports detoxification, aids weight loss
Nutritional Information
1 teaspoon contains 6 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 36 mg potassium, 1 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 0 sugar, 0 protein
Serving Size
1 teaspoon
Diet Specifications
Celery
Health Benefits
Supports healthy vision, boosts immunity, alkalizes the body, builds bone health, aids digestion
Nutritional Information
2 stalks contain 18 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 88 mg sodium, 286 mg potassium, 3 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 1 g protein