Super size your health & vitality
With winter slowly creeping up on us, it is the perfect time to start focusing on superfoods. These are powerful foods that give us the extra edge. The more fresh, healthy superfoods we eat, the less chance you have of getting the guy sitting next to you on the trains runny nose.
Feed your body to create a powerhouse of nutrition. Below are some of our favourite superfoods that we try to eat a variety of every day. Remember the darker the colour of fruit and vegetables the more antioxidants. Make the choice to be a powerhouse of energy and vibrancy every single day. Read below for our favourite superfoods...
Broccoli (and leafy greens):
Cancer preventing, immune system booster, bone building and packed with Vitamin A, C Beta Carotene and fibre. This is one nutrient dense vegetable to squeeze into your meals. For some extra superfood power try making broccoli sprouts (for salads and sandwiches) the protective compounds are 20 times more concentrated in these bite size beauties. Don’t forget the other leafy greens too- spinach, kale, pak choi...
Blueberries:
Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory. (inflammation causes aging and long term illness).
Fresh, fatty, cold water fish:
The Omega 3s you get in fish lower heart disease risk, help arthritis and reduce depression. Look for wild salmon (opposed to farmed), sardines and mackerel.
Flax seed:
Flax seed offers a vegetarian alternative to provide omega 3 fatty acid. In addition, flax seed also contains other beneficial ingredients such as fibre and lignan, a type of antioxidant. Research revealed that lignan in flax seed shows promising results in fighting disease, particularly cancer.
Nuts:
Nuts are undoubtedly nutritional powerhouses. Not only are they one of the best sources of plant-based protein they are also rich in fibre, phytonutrients, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E and selenium, as well as omega 3 fats and help lower the risk of heart disease. (They are high in fat so stick to a small handful a day.)
Chia seeds:
These little seeds are great blended in smoothies. High in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids — even more than flax. Chia is also rich in protein, vitamin B complex (especially niacin (B3) and riboflavinB2), and calcium, potassium and fibre. They help to regulate blood sugar levels, thus curbing the desire to overeat.
Maca:
This superfood, coined the medicinal plant and grown in the high Andes mountains in Peru, is packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, tannins, complex alkaloids and other phytochemicals. Maca is a source of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iodine. Add to smoothies, energy bars and granola.
Cacao:
Chocolate... yes it is on our list, ( BUT not the Celebration variety which is loaded with processed sugar).
Cacao contains a naturally rich supply of antioxidants, and is also an excellent source of dietary fibre. Cacao is known to be one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium and contains an impressively high iron content. Use in trial mix, make healthy desserts or chocolate smoothies.
Seaweed:
Seaweeds are the most nutritionally dense plants on the planet as they have access to all the nutrients in the ocean. They can contain up to 10 times more calcium than milk. They help to alkalize our blood by neutralising the acidity and protect us from a wide array of toxic elements in the environment, including heavy metals, pollutants and radiation by-products by converting them to harmless salts that the body can eliminate. Cellulite? say goodbye- seaweed stimulates the lymphatic system, thereby reducing cellulite. We make vegetable nori rolls, or sprinkle over salads (we use the seaweed salad sprinkle from Clearspring).
For more information, check out our super foods page and get munching to stay fighting fit through
winter.
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