What if the prescription for healthier living was right in your refrigerator?

That’s the idea behind food as medicine—practicing preventive healthcare through your food choices. The link between nutrition and health might seem obvious, but it’s easy to underestimate the impact of properly fueling your body. From diabetes to depression, food can play a significant role in treating and managing your health goals.

Your Food Rx

Inflammation Fighters

Inflammation can make you feel tired and achy. It can also cause weight gain and insulin resistance. Fight back by increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables, berries and the healthy fats found in nuts, olive oil and fatty fish, like salmon.

Mood Motivators

If you’ve ever felt the combination of hunger and anger known as “hanger,” you’re already familiar with the effect food can have on your mood. To combat these effects, make sure to eat healthy meals regularly and try adding more whole grains, lean meat, beans and low-fat dairy. These foods stimulate mood-stabilizing hormones like serotonin and dopamine.

Brain Boosters

Supercharge your brainpower and prevent cognitive decline by going green! Foods such as kale, spinach, broccoli and collards contain healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta-carotene, which could play a role in maintaining your brain health.

Blood Sugar Regulators

It’s no secret that food choices can influence your blood sugar levels. Take control with foods like beans and lentils, avocado and rolled oats, as well as fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt. The choices we make can help lower A1C levels and can even—potentially—prevent type 2 diabetes.

Heart Health Heroes

Your heart does a lot of work behind the scenes to keep your body running smoothly. So, show it a little TLC by putting these heart-healthy foods on the menu: fresh herbs, nuts, fish, whole-grain cereal, and fresh fruits and vegetables.