6 Superfoods That Really
Live Up to Their Name – Ajit
Patel UK
You’ve undoubtedly heard about
superfoods before. They’re the foods that are so packed with vitamins, minerals
and fiber that they’re practically screaming “eat me!” Alas, because “superfoods” is such a cool-sounding
term, it seems every product has tried to lay claim to that term. The other day
I saw a box of yogurt-covered peanuts declaring itself the world’s “sweetest
superfood.” Um, yeah… I doubt it.
But real superfoods really
can give your diet a huge boost. Here are six superfoods that actually live up
to their name and the sort of health benefits you can expect to reap from them.
They’re all relatively common and simple to add or substitute into your
favorite recipes. Add a little superfood
to your diet today!
Kale has an abundance of
phytochemicals locked into its dark green leaves, which have been found to help
prevent cancer as well as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Plus, the veggie is packed with carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which all
guard against macular degeneration. Nutritionists recommend at
least one serving of leafy greens per day. Kale makes a tasty, crispy chip when
roasted at a low heat with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Or sauté it to add to
soups and pasta.
Dark
Chocolate
You’ll probably rip your kitchen
cabinet knobs off in your rush to dig in when you learn that
those chocolate chips you hid behind the rice crackers aren’t off limits after
all. Yes, dark chocolate is full of the same anti-oxidants that make red wine
healthy, which make it okay to indulge in to a point. Just limit serving sizes
to an ounce, and don’t make this an excuse to gorge on chocolate of all kinds –
milk chocolate doesn’t boast the same benefits.
This fruit tastes rich and
indulgent, and it provides the healthy kind of fat that promotes weight loss
and attacks belly fat. You can use it in place of oil in lots of recipes, or
mash it into dark chocolate pudding for an absolutely decadent (and guilt-free)
treat.
Try whipping it up into a smoothie or sprinkling a few cubes over a taco in
place of the sour cream.
You’ve probably heard a lot about
acai berries, another superfood, but the humble blueberry
is a lot cheaper, more versatile and easy to find. Plus they’re very much in
season right now, pushing the price down even further! Each one-cup serving has
4 grams of fiber that will keep you filled up until your next meal. Its
whopping punch of antioxidants can help prevent
cancer as well as skin damage. Throw some over a bowl of oatmeal
in the morning or munch on them plain as an afternoon snack. Yum!
Salmon has the widely acclaimed omega-3
fatty acid that’s so good for your body. It’s the natural source of those
bizarre fish pills your more health-conscious friends might obsess over. It’s
also a great lean source of protein, something that many adult women don’t eat
enough of. Try canned salmon
(you can find it alongside canned tuna in most stores) for a more affordable
way to get your fix.
Don’t worry if you can’t
pronounce it (but if you’re curious, phonetically it’s pronounced KEEN-wah).
This seed, which is often mistaken for a grain, is a terrific source of protein
and very popular in vegetarian diets.
It contains all nine essential amino acids, and it’s also naturally gluten-free
for those who suffer from celiac disease. Try it as a replacement for rice or
as the base for a warm salad. Just make sure you wash it off in warm water
before you cook it, as unwashed quinoa tastes very similar to a bar of soap.
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