“Superfood” has definitely become a buzzword in recent years. Cafés selling superfood smoothie bowls, tips for sneaking superfoods into everyday recipes and fancy supplements claiming to incorporate superfood ingredients seem to be everywhere these days. But what exactly are superfoods and are they worth paying attention to, or, are they just another diet fad?
Superfood actually has no formal definition. Normally, a superfood is quite simply a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. You might associate the word with some more exotic foods like acai or pitaya, but superfoods are actually a lot more common than you might think! Instead of going out of your way to buy a high-priced ingredient that’s difficult to find, we’re here to share 6 amazing superfoods that you probably use everyday or that you could easily integrate into your daily routine!
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is one of the few spices that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes making it extremely accessible for everyday use. Cinnamon has a long list of benefits including being anti-microbial in helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and it’s also been shown to control blood sugar spikes, boost brain function and even help protect against heart disease.[1] With high levels of vitamin A, C, E, niacin, and betaine, cinnamon is a fantastic superfood to incorporate into your daily routine.[2]
Spinach: We hear so much about superfood greens like kale, but spinach doesn’t always get as much attention. Truth is, spinach is extremely nutrient-dense and can often be used in a larger variety of dishes than other greens like kale and collards. Plus, spinach is a bit less bitter and often more palatable for people that aren’t huge greens fans. 100g of spinach contains about 25% of your daily recommended iron and spinach is also a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acids.[3] Use spinach as the base for a salad, throw some in your smoothie or sauté it with some garlic for a superfood, nutrient-rich boost.
Berries: Berries are a fantastic everyday superfood because they pack a nutritional punch without any excess sugars that a lot of other fruits may have. Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and have been shown to lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.[4] It’s also hard to get sick of berries as there are so many varieties to choose from!
Avocado: Oh, for the love of avocado. It’s hard not to fall head over heals for this creamy and nutritious superfood. Avocados contain 15 grams of monounsaturated fat, which is a healthy fat our body needs to absorb a long list of fat-soluable vitamins including vitamins A, D, E and K. One avocado contains 26% - 40% of your daily recommended fiber intake and also has high levels of vitamins C and E, both powerful antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage. A study published in 2013 found that eating avocados regularly may lower your risk of chronic disease.[5]
Almonds: Like avocados, almonds are another superfood with high levels of heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Almonds also contain high levels of fiber, vitamin E and magnesium. Almonds have been shown to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease in addition to respiratory illness and cancer. Indulge guilt-free in a handful of almonds on the go or incorporate them into smoothies, baked goods, etc.!
Coconut: Demonized for years due to its saturated fat content, coconut is now being looked at in a totally new light. Coconut actually contains the good kind of saturated fat that your body needs, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that have a host of health benefits that help your liver and can stimulate your body’s metabolism.[6] Coconut can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways from using coconut milk or coconut water as a base for smoothies, sprinkling some coconut flakes on yogurt and oatmeal, or using coconut flour in baked goods as opposed to processed white flour.
In addition to these everyday superfoods, another fantastic and simple way to incorporate superfoods into your diet is by using Amazing Grass’ Green Superfood powders. With a variety of flavors and options to choose from, giving your body an extra nutrient-rich superfood boost is just a scoop away!
[1]“Cinnamon, ground”. The World’s Healthiest Foods. n.p., n.d. Web. 4 February 2016.
[2]“Nutritional Value of Cinnamon and Nutmeg”. Organic Facts. n.p., n.d. Web. 4 February 2016.
[3]“Spinach nutrition facts”. Nutrition and You. n.p, n.d. Web. 4 February 2016.
[4]Seliger, Susan. “Superfoods Everyone Needs”. WebMD. WebMD, 16 February 2007. Web. 4 February 2016.
[5]Dlugos, Jennifer. “Avocados & Almonds as Super Foods”. Livestrong.com. n.p., 26 January 2014. Web. 4 February 2016.
[6]Geraghty, Clare. “The hairy hunk we’re all lusting after: Coconuts – the new superfood”. Mail Online. The Daily Mail, 1 February 2014. Web. 4 February 2016.
