Superfoods!

We’ve all heard the term ‘Superfoods’ but do any of us really know what the term means? It’s a phrase that magazine editors and journalists love but what is this superstar status some foods have been given? Why are some foods ‘super’ and some not? And how does this affect us as consumers?

Well, the answers to these questions are really quite simple and I’d love to take the time to share this with you, to help you on your journey to healthy eating

Most foods contain some nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats). Most healthy whole foods contain a handful of nutritional properties. For a food to be considered a Superfood it should have a minimum of 12 nutritional properties, giving those foods that ‘wow factor’

So purely from a health and well-being perspective it is worth including a range of Superfoods in your everyday diet. Each superfood has its own unique character and health benefits, but in general terms the basic benefits that most superfoods provide include an improvement in physical and mental health, a strengthening of the immune system, an increase of resistance to disease, a rejuvenation of the skin, a reduction in the risk of a variety of cancers, improved metabolism and protection of the heart. So let’s cut to the chase and start talking about specific Superfoods…

First the fruits; Pineapples, mangoes, papayas and berries like cranberries, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, acai berries and goji berries, are absolutely packed with vitamins and minerals, way too many to list here, and benefit us in a wealth of different ways including keeping our bones healthy, fighting colds, boosting sex drive, improving skin health and eyesight, lowering cholesterol levels, boosting memory function and injury recovery time to list but a few! Pack them into smoothies, sprinkle over salads or just enjoy them straight from the punnet

Next up, the nuts; Walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, brazils and pistachios are filled with healthy fats including omega 3, a huge range of vitamins and minerals. Plus, amongst other benefits, nuts help protect against heart problems, fight against cancer, lower cholesterol levels, energise the body, prevent blocked arteries and help with calcium absorption to improve bones. Lightly toasted over a gentle heat to release their flavour, you can scattered them over salads, mix into muesli or overnight oats, pack them into a homemade energy bar or just eat them straight as a healthy snack; delicious!

And finally, whilst all fresh vegetables are healthy and nutritious, only a couple qualify as Superfoods; Kale and Broccoli. Once again these 2 super veg deliver a huge range of vitamins and minerals and are rich in fibre, which will help keep hunger cravings at bay. And both are really useful for treating and preventing stomach disorders and infections. To make the most of these fantastic vegetables just steam them for a few minutes so they still have a bit of ‘crunch’ to them. Or better still, enjoy them raw in a salad or wrap

If you want any further information on Superfoods and how to incorporate them into your diet please just get in touch