Ten Superfoods You Should Be Eating

‘Superfood’ is a term we hear a lot these days. Even though there’s no medical explanation as to what makes a food item a ‘superfood’, it is used to loosely describe a food product with higher-than-average nutritional benefits.

Many of them are as delicious as they are nutritious, meaning there aren’t many that you’ll want to skip out on. Plus, even if there are some that you’d rather not eat, consider how much of a benefit they may have on your overall health. The pain of trying some kale may be worthwhile…

Here are ten superfoods you might want to stock up on to incorporate into your diet.

1. Blueberries

Not only are blueberries incredibly tasty and sweet, they’re packed full of disease-fighting nutrients that help fight off diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease. They’re also great at lowering cholesterol levels!

Try incorporating these little berries into your diet by popping them on top of your breakfast cereal or pack them into smoothies.

2. Kale

It’s not everyone’s favourite, but it’s very nutritious. Kale is incredibly high in nutrients, and is one of the most nutrient rich foods in the world. It has the power to fight asthma, cardiovascular disease and arthritis as well as fighting cancer. Kale has also been known to ward off premature signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. If that doesn’t convince you, we don’t know what will.

3. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are one carb that taste delicious and are great for our health. They have been proven to raise levels of Vitamin A in the blood and contain a storage protein that fights off cell damage and promotes healing. Just one medium sized sweet potato is enough to give us half of our recommended dose of Vitamin C!

4. Salmon

This fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which boost and protect our hearts. It’s also a great low-calorie protein, with only about 200 calories for a three-ounce serving! Salmon tastes great baked or grilled, and is one of our favourites.

5. Quinoa

One cup of cooked Quinoa contains about eight grams of protein, plus loads of iron, zinc, selenium and Vitamin E. This versatile grain is a lot like rice, meaning its super easy to prepare and there’s tonnes of recipes you can add it to.

6. Acai

This berry is crammed with antioxidants that help prevent aging. Acai berries also contain their own fatty and amino acids, which keep our cardiovascular and digestive systems in great shape.

7. Black Garlic

This is a rather uncommon herb, and it doesn’t look very appetising. Despite its dark appearance, black garlic has many health benefits. It’s full of probiotics which are great for our immune system, so it’s good for keeping colds at bay. Incorporate black garlic into your everyday dishes for seasoning as well as adding it to dips and sauces.

8. Broccoli

Rich in Vitamin A and C, broccoli is packed with lots of fibre that’ll keep your digestive system in check. It is also a reliable source of calcium too, and can help fight off cancer. As broccoli isn’t seasonal, this little veggie is available all year round and can be used in numerous ways!

9. Avocado

This popular fruit is high in mono-saturated fats, that can help lower cholesterol and satisfy hunger. They also contain lots of different vitamins, such as B and K. Because of their creamy texture, avocados are a perfect substitute for unhealthy items such as butter or mayonnaise and can be crushed up and combined with lime for a tasty guacamole dip.

10. Chocolate

We saved the best till last! Yes, it’s true, chocolate is a superfood. However, don’t get too excited… To eat chocolate of the superfood variety, you must eat one made with at least 70% cocoa, which can make it taste rather bitter. However, it is a good way of incorporating a tasty superfood into your diet. It can promote low-blood pressure and heart health, as well as being full of anti-oxidants.