What’s all the buzz about Superfoods? What foods are considered ‘Super’? Well best I can tell Superfoods are nutritional powerhouses! Superfoods are not only characterized by what is in them but what is not. Superfoods have negligible saturated fats, artificial ingrdients or additives. They seem to be loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, like vitamin A, C, K, E, B, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, and fiber. In addition to nutrients superfoods have phytochemicals, a component found in the natural coloring agent of certain foods, such as brightly colored fruits and vegetables. These nutrients and phytochemicals can improve your health, prevent diseases, reverse aging, improve your memory and ultimately extend your life. An added bonus is that Superfoods are naturally low in calories!
Sounds too good to be true, Superfoods are all the rage! Turns out some of these foods are quite easy to get in your local supermarket like: green leafy vegetable, avocadoes, broccoli, tomatoes, berries, oats, oranges, salmon, walnuts, turkey, tea, beans, spinach, soy, fax seed, garlic, honey, apples, olive oil and yogurt. Other foods catagoized as super are a bit obscure like: mangosteens, goji , guarana, and noni. I’d say one of the biggest challenges is to compose a comprehensive list of Superfoods. I tried to generate such a list and every magazine and website seems to have a different list of foods they consider Superfoods with some overlap. Ultimately, you need to decide what your goal is for instance to improve yo ur memeory eat a diet rich in berries, applies and fish like salmon. Interested in combating cancer eat spinach, garlic, strawberries, tomatoes and salmon. Hope to combat aging eat and put the glow back in your skin eat olive oil, nuts, yogurt, blueberries, fish, and even dark chocolate and red wine. Research is a must to generate a list that experts can agree on and works for you. We all have different eating preferences and budgets.
In addition to adding Superfoods to your diet it is very important to avoid foods high in saturated fats (like red meat), salty or sugary foods, and processed foods to realize maximum benefits. I say why not try a diet rich in superfoods if they are easily acessible ? There is no down side just good clean eating.!
I would definitely say Greek yogurt is a superfood! 160 calories for 14 grams of protein! It’s a great way to satisfy hunger and to stay thin and healthy as well!
I’ve never heard anyone call dark chocolate and red wine superfoods. But hey, I wouldn’t mind eating more chocolate or drinking more wine. Salmon is good too. And apples. And pretty much everything you listed. I could be very happy eating a superdiet.
If only I could commit to a diet…
Thanks for the helpful advice! Maybe I’ll throw a few of these into my next meal!