Quaker Oats Company, a member of PepsiCo as of 2001, first introduced Quaker Instant Oatmeal in 1966. Oatmeal provides essential vitamins and minerals, which help to promote heart health and general well-being. Oatmeal contains both insoluble and soluble fiber and is a valuable source of whole grains.

Feta is a Greek cheese traditionally made with sheep’s or goat’s milk. Many of the commercial variations available in the U.S. are made with cow’s milk, which produces a firmer cheese. The white cheese is cured and stored in a liquid known as whey brine. Feta has a soft, crumbly texture and a salty, tangy flavor.

Taro is a root that is used for flavoring in a variety of foods and drinks such as boba, or bubble, tea. Boba tea is a cold beverage made from tea that also contains tapioca pearls, which have a chewy consistency.

Salad greens -- the leafy green vegetables that are either too delicate for cooking or traditionally consumed raw -- are a common staple for calorie-conscious dieters and healthy eaters alike.

Whey is the liquid that remains during the cheese-making process. Whey powder is made from the filtered and dried liquid. Studies have tested the benefits of whey protein for muscle-building, weight loss and as a dietary supplement to combat diseases, such as diabetes.

The banana is one of nature’s most nutritious foods. It contains many simple carbohydrates, which your body can break down rapidly for energy, and it’s also rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium and vitamin B-6.

Grapefruit can make a phenomenal bedtime snack when your stomach is rumbling just enough to keep you awake but not so much that you want to eat a full meal. Because it’s so light, refreshing and low in calories, a half grapefruit can keep your hunger at bay until morning comes without ruining any healthy diet plan.

Iron is one of the most vitally important nutrients in the diet. Not only is it essential for normal growth and development, healthy skin, bones and teeth and optimal immunity, but it also supplies body cells with the oxygen they need to produce energy.

Carbohydrates or ‘carbs’ are an energy source in food that comes from starch, sugar and cellulose. Carbohydrates provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber in the diet. The current recommendations suggest 45 to 65 percent of daily calories come from these types of foods.

Psyllium consists of the indigestible seed husks of a plant native to India and Pakistan. The seed husks are a good source of soluble fiber, and thus act as a natural laxative. As such, they are also a popular ingredient in colon cleansing and detox regimens, and are also used as a binder in gluten-free baking.

Indian cuisine is meant to provide the diner a spectrum of flavors, with its recipes often including a multitude of spices.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin in the B-complex of vitamins. Most people obtain adequate vitamin B12 from the foods they eat, but some people still choose to supplement, or your doctor may recommend a supplement. Unlike some vitamins, vitamin B12 is measured in micrograms, not milligrams.