Incorporating superfoods into your diet will remove the need of taking vitamin supplements which are not absorbed well by the body, instead, these nutrient-rich foods will provide a good amount of daily vitamins & minerals for all your body’s needs.
What are superfoods?
Superfoods are foods with an especially high nutrient density. This means that these foods will give you the most nutrients in the smallest amount of calories. Ideally, these are the types of foods you need to consume daily to help your body function at its peak and make you feel great!
Below is a list of healthy foods containing the macronutrients and micronutrients you need daily.
Beetroots
BEETROOTS are low in calories while providing fibre, potassium, vitamin C, iron and magnesium. They have also been found to lower blood pressure due to their potassium and nitrate content helping dilate blood vessels(i). Betalains are an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which are founds in beetroots giving them their red colouring and can help fight certain cancer cells(ii).
Hemp Seeds
HEMP SEEDS are a ‘complete protein’ meaning they contain all 20 amino acids, as well as the 9 essential amino acids for our body. These can be used by vegans or vegetarians as a substitute for meat as a complete protein in the diet. They also contain both Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are linked to a healthy heart and balanced hormones. The fibre, iron and magnesium content of hemp seeds are a plus and these tiny tasteless seeds can be easily added to smoothies or baked goods.
Spinach
SPINACH has been a recommended health food for decades and for good reason. These low-calorie leaves are packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Just one cup provides more than your daily required vitamin K and almost your whole daily dose of manganese and folate. Spinach also contains fibre, magnesium, calcium and protein; making it a centuries old holy grail superfood.
Pomegranate
POMEGRANATE is high in antioxidants which help fight ageing. Pomegranate also contains vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, potassium, fibre and protein. It has also been found to help fight cancer and lower blood pressure(iii). It is an anti-inflammatory which can help fight bacterial and fungal infections.
Raw Cacao Nibs
RAW CACAO NIBS are raw pieces of chocolate without the sugar and additives. These nutty bitter chunks are a healthy treat which are high in flavonoids, antioxidants and magnesium as well as containing iron and fibre.
Flaxseeds
FLAXSEEDS are a great source of soluble and insoluble fibre, helping you feel fuller for longer and aiding in weight loss. It also has a large amount of the antioxidant lignans(iv) which have cancer-fighting properties and help balance hormones. These can be tossed onto a smoothie bowl or added to salads and are easy to incorporate into your meals.
Lentils
LENTILS are a source of both fibre and protein which means they keep you full for longer. Not only that they are also a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants.
Goji Berries
GOJI BERRIES have recently become popular and for good reason as they contain plenty of vitamins and minerals such as iron, Vitamin A, C and B2.
Capsicums
CAPSICUMS (peppers) are jam-packed with carotenoids and other antioxidants which are anti-ageing and improve vision and heart functioning. These are rich in vitamin A and C, as well as vitamin K, lycopene, lutein, B vitamins, and manganese.
Chia Seeds
CHIA SEEDS are nutrient-dense low-calorie food, which are high in fibre, essential fatty acids, manganese, phosphorous, calcium, zinc, copper and potassium. They also contain vitamins A, B, E and D and are high in antioxidants.
Mushrooms
MUSHROOMS are low in calories and provide a source of protein and are rich in fibre, potassium, B vitamins and selenium. Different types of mushrooms have other further health benefits, while all being low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats.
Green Peas
GREEN PEAS are not exotic but are low-calorie superfoods which are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. They also provide a rich source of protein, vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, fibre, B vitamins, phosphorus, vitamin A, magnesium, copper, iron, and potassium.
Avocado
Last but certainly not least, AVOCADO high in healthy fats (monosaturated fats) and contribute to good heart health. They are high in vitamin C, E, folate and potassium used for various cell functions. It is also high in fibre helping you feel satisfied for longer and contains antioxidants which have a variety of health benefits.
We encourage you to try and incorporate these ingredients into your daily meals as part of a healthy diet to boost your nutrient intake and vitalize your body.
(i) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23231777