A staple at many farmers markets during the warmer months, zucchini, which is a type of summer squash, and it can range in color from yellow to deep green. It has a tender texture with a slightly sweet flavor and, at just 21 calories per cup, it makes a welcome addition to a calorie-controlled diet.
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The average American consumed 7.4 gallons of juice annually in 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While this pales in comparison to some other drinks -- coffee clocked in at an average 23.3 gallons -- it still means fruit juice is a staple in many diets.
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While they aren't nearly as ubiquitous in the United States as chicken eggs, quail eggs make up an important part of several cuisines, and they're commonly consumed in Colombia.
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If you're looking to add some variety to your breakfasts or simply want something fancy for your next brunch, give duck eggs a try. They're larger than chicken eggs and higher in calories -- 130 calories vs. 72 calories in a large chicken egg -- and provide several essential nutrients.
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Once prized in the East Indies for its medicinal benefits, cardamom is now typically used as a spice to add flavor to foods. Each 2-tablespoon serving contains just 36 calories but imparts rich flavor -- a bonus when you're counting calories and want to avoid bland "diet" foods.
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Making lifestyle changes can help you get fit and gain weight, even if you have a naturally slim physique. Your diet can provide energy and nutrients needed to keep you going through tough workouts, while a well-designed workout plan can trigger progressive muscle growth, so you'll fill out your frame with lean mass.
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Whether you're powering through your workouts or just staying focused throughout the day, you need oxygen to function. If you're low in oxygen, your cells don't have the tools they need to make energy, so you can feel fatigued, develop a rapid heart rate and lose your breath easily during exercise.
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Packed with healthy fats, vitamin E, iron, potassium and zinc, avocados offer lots of nutritional value in each creamy, decadent-tasting serving. There are two types of avocados abundant in the U.S.
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Your nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and all the nerve endings throughout your body. This system works continuously to support essential functions for life, including your heartbeat, breathing, movement, memory and cognitive functioning.
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Native to Asia, green onions -- also called scallions -- should make make regular appearances in health-conscious kitchens. Like white onions, they add pungent flavor to your dishes, though green onions are milder, so even if they're used raw, they won't overpower the taste of your dish.
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While not as easy to find as chicken eggs, turkey eggs -- more commonly used to yield more turkeys than sold for consumption, explains Ohio State University -- can make up part of a balanced diet. At 135 calories per egg, turkey eggs provide fuel as well as essential nutrients.
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Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, acts as a source of fuel within your cells. Formed from a series of chemical reactions, carbohydrates, proteins and fats can all be converted into ATP following digestion. Each cell within your body utilizes ATP to fuel the chemical reactions required for proper cellular functioning.
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A staple in many farmers markets and gardens during the warmer months, yellow wax beans -- also called yellow snap beans -- make a versatile and nutritious addition to your diet.
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With its delicate flavor and light, soft flesh, herring makes a pleasing addition to your diet. It also offers a safe fish option because it's low in mercury, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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Tea is among the most often consumed beverages in the world, made by steeping the leaves, stems and buds of the tea plant. Green tea, including Bigelow brand green tea, comes from tea leaves that have undergone minimal processing, compared with oolong or black tea.
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You might not often see it in in your local grocery store, but cow brain has been consumed in America since at least the early 1900s, according to "The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book."
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Pretzels make up a part of several European diets -- they originated in Italy or France and eventually became a part of German and Austrian cuisine. Each small soft pretzel contributes approximately 2 ounces of grains to your daily intake; the USDA recommends 6 to 7 total ounces of grains each day.
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Native to South America, peanuts are now grown throughout the world and make up a staple in the average American diet. Most peanut products feature roasted peanuts, which have a richer flavor than raw peanuts, but raw varieties are available at bulk stores, health food stores and some grocery stores.
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A close relative of onions and garlic, leeks have a mild onion-like flavor that works well in soups and a variety of other dishes. One cup of leeks -- approximately one whole leek -- contains just 54 calories, so leeks add bulk to your meal to keep you feeling full, without significantly boosting your calorie intake.
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In the morning whirlwind to get ready and out the door, it can be hard to find time for the picture-perfect healthy breakfast you may want to eat, but breakfast doesn't have to be fancy to help you lose weight. Oatmeal comes together in just a few minutes, and it's ideal for weight control for you and your family.
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