It’s no secret that the foods we eat play a role in how our bodies operate. Food can influence our weight, our moods, and, in some cases, our ability to heal. That’s no exaggeration, and certain foods packed into certain diets can help promote a kind of general healthiness that speeds recovery (it’s so common, for example, that even trial lawyers for brain injuries know a proper diet is a good foundation for healing).

Not all foods are created equal, though, and there are some “superfoods” that pack a heaping helping of essentials that can hold sway over your immune system and other bodily functions. Here are a few you should keep in mind as far as healing is concerned.

Vitamin D

We all know about how Vitamin D can affect mood and energy levels, but did you know that it, similar to calcium, can help you with healing broken bones? While the best source of Vitamin D is sunlight, you’ll also get plenty of it by consuming dairy, fatty fish, and eggs.

Healthy Fats

The word “fat” gets a bad rap sometimes, but there are some fats that you’re going to want to be in your diet, particularly those related to brain function and heart health. Try to get a good amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which you can find in foods like avocados, olive oil, pecans, and fatty fish.

Beets

While beets don’t rank that highly on most of our favorite food lists, they do provide some powerful nutrients, like carbs, vitamin a, vitamin c, iron, and calcium. They’re sweet (a definite plus if you’ve got those cravings) and they might even be useful for reducing inflammation and controlling your overall blood pressure.

Proteins

Any burn injury accident attorney will tell you that such injuries can be quite serious. Those with a modicum of knowledge on nutrition will also tell you that a diet packed with calories and protein will help bolster your immune system (decreasing the risk of infection), while simultaneously promoting healing, keeping your muscle mass high, and mitigating excessive weight loss.

Cranberries

We all know that cranberries are the go-to home remedy for preventing UTIs, but that’s not their only healing power. They also have plenty of antioxidants, so they can help your body heal from some forms of cell damage and may even help in thwarting some types of cancers.

Power Greens

You’ve likely already heard of kale and spinach, but these aren’t the only magnificent greens you should have in your diet. Keep your energy levels high by mixing it up with parsley, alfafa, kelp, and the occasional serving of bok choy if you’re feeling adventurous.