SUPERFOODS

If you do any research on foods that are good for you, or what foods you should be eating more of… you are going to come across the phrase “superfood.” But what really is a superfood, and how do you get more of them in your diet?  

What is a Superfood? 

The tricky part of this is “superfood” is not a nutritionally recognized food group. This just means that there isn’t a set of guidelines detailing what makes a food a superfood. 

The rule of thumb is that a superfood is, generally, a natural, low calorie, food that is nutrient-dense. They also offer health benefits beyond what you would generally expect based on the food's nutritional profile. For example- Avocados are considered one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world. In addition to Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Folate, avocados are high in monounsaturated fats. These are great for heart health and can reduce the risk of heart disease. 

Because avocado is not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but also provides heart support- we would call it a superfood. 

Incorporating Superfoods

Nothing is worse than reading all about how something is so good for you, and then not knowing how to implement some change to incorporate them into your diet. 

Superfoods can be pretty simple to add into your daily food routine. You can start by buying leafy, green veggies and berries. Start shopping for seasonal produce from local farmers and sources. It is always fun to hit up your local farmers market, but the added bonus is that you will be getting produce with the highest nutrient content.

Here are a few tips for adding superfoods into your diet: 

• Build a colorful plate! Fruits and veggies are colorful, if your plate is mostly white or beige, try adding kale, berries or beets to your dish. 

• Add berries! Berries are delicious, and can be added to things like oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, salad or even baked goods. 

• Mix in shredded vegetables to your stir fry, soup or even throw a little extra on your salad! 

• Be intentional about having a fruit or veggie with every meal.

SUPERFOODS

+  Berries (acai, blueberries, goji)

+  Avocado 

+  Beets 

+  Chia Seeds 

+  Quinoa 

+  Dark Leafy Greens 

+  Garlic 

+  Green Tea

+  Salmon 

+  Yogurt 

+  Legumes (soy, lentils, peanuts, chickpeas, beans)