Superfoods
Superfoods are a special category of foods found in nature. They are nutrient-rich foods that offer us many benefits at the same time so in effect you get more nutrition with lesser amount of food that you eat. Typically superfoods contain antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, enzymes and glyconutrients to name a few.
Why should you eat superfoods?
These foods are rich in nutrients and work wonders in keeping your mind and body healthy.
Eating these foods regularly makes your body healthier, helps you flush out toxins more frequently and leaves you with a healthy glow. Once you start consuming superfoods on a regular basis, you will start noticing the difference in not just how you feel, but also how you look.
10 Everyday Superfoods:
Why should you eat superfoods?
These foods are rich in nutrients and work wonders in keeping your mind and body healthy.
Eating these foods regularly makes your body healthier, helps you flush out toxins more frequently and leaves you with a healthy glow. Once you start consuming superfoods on a regular basis, you will start noticing the difference in not just how you feel, but also how you look.
10 Everyday Superfoods:
- Avocados: Avocados are high in healthy monounsaturated fat and have a rich source of glutathione. Avocados are also one of the most nutrient-dense foods; high in fiber, potassium, vitamin E and magnesium.
- Garlic: It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food that protects against heart disease, reduces blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels. It also has vitamins C and B6, manganese, and selenium.
- Blueberries: These are a potent antioxidant. Blueberries are said to help with memory loss and they contain flavonoids which can help eradicate dangerous free radicals which can cause damage to cell walls and DNA. Blueberry extracts have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory characteristics.
- Goji berries: Goji berries contains all 18 amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen) as well as huge amounts of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and vitamin E. Gram for gram they are packed with more iron than steak and spinach, and more beta carotene and vitamin C than carrots and oranges, respectively.
- Oily Fish: Oily fish such salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards, kippers and fresh tuna (not canned) are important because they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are especially useful in warding off heart disease. Most oily fish contains protein, zinc, selenium, vitamins A and D, and some B vitamins.
- Eggs: Eggs are highly nutritious and a great way to fill up on quality protein. Eggs also contain 12 vitamins and minerals, including choline, which is good for brain development and memory.
- Beans: Beans are loaded with insoluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, as well as soluble fiber, which fills you up and helps rid your body of waste. They're also a good, low-fat source of protein, carbohydrates, magnesium, and potassium.
- Tomatoes: Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and it’s this that gives tomatoes their superfood status. Lycopene is what gives them their red colour it helps absorb the damaging free radicals that can harm our cells. Tomatoes are packed full of vitamins including vitamins A, C and E and contain potassium and other mineral salts.
- Quinoa: It is gluten-free, high in amino acids, protein, vitamin B6, B1, B2, B3, and potassium. Plus it is a great source of copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate. Quinoa is also a source of calcium, so useful for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. It is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight of the essential amino acids we need for tissue development and contains almost twice as much fibre as most other grains.
- Broccoli: Packed with folic acid, vitamin C and carotenoids (the colourful plant pigments some of which the body can turn into vitamin A), broccoli is thought to boost your immune system, protect your cells from being damaged by free radicals and improve reproductive health. Broccoli also contains beta carotene, energy producing vitamins B3 and B5, potassium and chromium which help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.