Head to nearly any health blog or website, and you can find everyone from enthusiasts to experts avidly proclaiming the benefits of superfoods. There’s a lot of hype around these nutritionally packed delicacies, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be?
What Are They?
Superfoods are any food items with an unusually high nutritional content. That could mean they have an abundance of Omega 3s or Vitamin B12, significantly boosting the health benefits of your diet when added in. There is no special food group to define these items, but they do form a sort of “special club” in which they are the only members. Taking these extra-large doses of vitamins and minerals into the body is beneficial for a variety of reasons, each depending on the specific nutrient. The goal is to combine these food items into Superfood Meals, which balances your diet in a healthy way. While not every nutritionist agrees, most view these foods as an excellent way to fight off disease and live a longer, healthier life. Some of the benefits include:
- Antioxidants: Warding off cancer
- Healthy Fats: Preventing heart disease
- Fiber: Regulates digestion and prevents diabetes
- Phytochemicals: Disease prevention
- Vitamin A: Boosts the immune system
- Vitamin C: Bone and immune health
- Vitamin D: Regulates calcium and phosphorus
With such strong benefits to the human body, it’s easy to see why superfoods garner so much attention from health and nutritional experts. Plus, they’re easy to add into your diet!
Top Foods with Super Qualities
Chances are that you’re already eating some of these delicious foods but never knew that they were packed full of nutrients. While you might not enjoy the taste of all superfoods, there are more than enough to choose from and still create a healthy, balanced diet. Here is the best of the best!
Blueberries
Rich in vitamins, soluble fiber, and phytochemicals, these delicious fruits are often found at the top of any superfood list. Adding just a small cup of this fruit into your weekly diet comes with a variety of benefits, such as:
- Heart, bone, and skin health
- Reduced blood pressure
- Diabetes management
- Cancer prevention
- Boosting mental health
- Healthy digestion
It isn’t just blueberries, though. Adding any type of berry into your diet brings several of the same benefits. Fresh strawberries and cranberries contain the same flavonoids found in blueberries, so chow down on these delicious fruits!
Kiwifruit
Branching away from berries and into the realm of fruits rich in Vitamin C, Kiwifruit tends to stand out amongst the rest with a broader range of nutrients than melons or pears. These fuzzy brown powerhouses contain a surplus of Vitamins A, K, E, and B along with a high fiber content. Each kiwi is also packed with potassium, copper, folate, and serotonin. Some studies have suggested that eating this fruit on a regular basis is beneficial for a good night’s sleep, helping anyone who suffers from sleep disorders.
Beans
Looking to lose weight, lower cholesterol, and eat healthy all at the same time? Then add a half cup of beans to your diet three times a week. You can choose anything from kidney to black beans and chick peas while still reaping all of the benefits. What can these legumes do for you?
- Lower cholesterol
- Balance blood sugar
- Lower the risk of colorectal cancer
- Provide a low-fat source of protein
- Keep you feeling full with fiber and healthy fats
- Prevent constipation
- Provide an excellent source of Vitamin A and C
- Pump up your iron and calcium intake
- One of the few sources of manganese
If you happen to have a foodborne allergy, check with your doctor to see which legumes you can eat. Since the term is broad, chances are that there is a bean out there perfect for your diet.
Whole Grains
Unlike refined grains, whole variants still contain the nutrient-rich bran and germ that make up their complexion. They’ll give you most of the same benefits found in beans and other legumes, but do not contain the same levels of protein. To make up for this, whole grains are rich in magnesium and fiber.
Quinoa
Often considered a grain, Quinoa is actually a seed packed full of everything your body needs. This one gets its own category with a high protein content, tons of fiber and minerals, and plenty of antioxidant goodness.
Nuts and Seeds
With Quinoa opening up the nuts and seeds section, you’ve probably guessed that there are several others with high nutritional content. Both contain high levels of minerals and healthy fats, but it’s important to be aware of how many calories are included. Most experts advise eating in shell nuts and seeds since they take more time to eat. All you need is a handful, which can contain up to 100 calories itself. To skip the added calories and still reap the benefits, give these ones a try:
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Almonds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Sunflower seeds
Kale and Other Greens
The greener the veggie, the more nutrients it contains. When it comes to vegetables, Kale often gets the most recognition out of the bunch. However, you can add any dark, leafy green to your diet and expect many of the same benefits. All of these dark veggies are packed full of Vitamins A, C, E and K. Some, like bok choy and broccoli, are also rich in B vitamins. All of these hearty foods come complete with high levels of iron, fiber, and magnesium. When picking out greens from the grocery store, make sure to skip the iceberg lettuce. Try Swiss chard, collards, or spinach instead. Anything within the mustard family is also an excellent source of nutrients.
Squash
Are you a fan of sweet potatoes or a delicious summer squash? Then get ready for delicious plates of zucchini, eggplant, and any other member of the squash family you can think of. As it turns out, these vegetables are ripe with antioxidants and contain a cocktail of nutrients that aid in:
- Cancer prevention
- Healthy skin
- Improved vision
- Heart health
- Fighting insomnia
- Treating arthritis
- Building strong bones
- Strengthening the immune system
- Improve prostate health,
- And so much more.
Different varieties offer different benefits, which means you can mix all kinds into your diet for a tasty and healthy variety. Lovers of organic produce can head over to their favorite farmer’s market to find seasonal squashes all year round.
Alternatives to Fish
Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to drastically aid the heart in its functions while warding off disease. Mackerel, trout, tuna, and salmon are all packed full of this vital nutrient, but you don’t have to consume an animal to get your daily dose. Skip the mercury content and inhuman practices by opting for a vegan alternative. Dozens of companies sell Omega 3 DHA in capsule form, all without the fish oil. It’s a win-win situation for wildlife and your heart!
Fruit of the Year
You know about super fruits. You hear another exotic name pop up every year from acai to goji berries. While the buzz around this year’s top fruit may seem larger than life, they do contain a rich amount of nutrients. On the downside, they tend to come with that “fruit of the year” price tag. If an overly priced pomegranate isn’t your cup of tea, then stick with the berries mentioned at the beginning of this list. There isn’t a berry out these that hasn’t shared the same healthy vitamins and minerals as these hyped-up fruits. Either way, you can rest assured that these are filled to the brim with nutrients your body needs.
Eating Right
While you might think to yourself, “Hey, I can eat as much of these superfoods as I want!” the truth is that moderation is still just as important. Ideally, you should find about 5 superfoods that cover your nutritional needs and add them to your diet. This ensures that your body gets the nutrients it craves, but also keeps you from eating too much. Unfortunately, people can still gain weight from overeating healthy foods. You also want to separate real health superfoods from those overly processed and filled with sugars. Green tea and instant oats are excellent examples. While both contain a ton of nutrients, the process used to make them store ready cuts out the important parts of the plants.Try to stay as organic as possible when purchasing superfoods, especially grains and seeds. By adding these amazing superfoods to your diet, you can enjoy a healthy life while experiencing all the benefits of a well-maintained body and mind!