Superfoods
What is a ‘Superfood’?
There is some speculation that the term ‘superfood’ has been made up by clever salespeople in order to convince people to spend money on expensive imported berries – but, although the term ‘superfood’ is applied to berries like goji berries and they are more expensive than standard fruit, there are many cheaper foods that are also classed as ‘superfoods’. If you are on a budget, worry not, you too can include superfoods in your weekly shopping trolly and they wont cost you the earth.
There is no doubt, superfoods are foods that are good for your health. There is no exact definition for a superfood, but in July 2009 EU legislation came into force meaning that any food advertised as a superfood had to have a substantiated claim behind it. In other words, there had to be a good scientific reason for calling something a superfood.
Almonds - A good source of protein and fibre as well as many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E. Go for unroasted and unsalted.
Apples – An apple a day can indeed keep the doctor away, apples are great for lowering cholesterol and contains pectin which is good for helping the removal of some metals in your body that you don’t need.
Avocados – This great fruit contains loads of fibre, vitamin E, potassium, monounsaturated fat and folic acid. They are also very easily digested.
Bananas - Bananas are excellent for fuelling up before or after exercise because they have a slightly higher natural sugar level than other fruits, but don’t let this put you off as bananas are great for snacking on as well. They are packed with potassium which helps keep blood pressure down.
Beetroot – Beetroot is good for helping reduce cholesterol levels and contain loads of antioxidants. Beetroot is a rich source of folic acid.
Blueberries – These little berries are great for reducing the damage to cells through the natural aging process, so they can help you stay looking younger for longer!
Broccoli – A fantastic vegetable naturally high in vitamin C and fibre. This food is one of the best superfoods out there, it helps beat cancer and gives our body a boost in fighting most other diseases. Eat it every single day of your life – no joke.
Cocoa – Before you get too excited, this doesn’t mean eating chocolate is healthy for you. Cocoa can help against heart disease and cancer, but go for small portions of dark chocolate as that has the highest cocoa content.
Cranberries – These berries are particularly useful against urinary infections and there are suggestions that cranberries can aid the recovery of a stroke.
Flaxseeds – The richest non-animal source of omega-3, important for vegetarians to get their recommended omega-3 intake.
Garlic – A great food for boosting your immune system, not so great for your breath but enjoy it with a partner and you wont notice.
Ginger - There has been suggestions that ginger is just as good as an aspirin for preventing blood clotting (this is not a medical instruction – stick to what the doc says). Ginger is naturally high in many antioxidants and is good for cleansing the colon.
Olive Oil – Ditch your other oils and only use olive oil. It has a high quantity of fat, but it’s good fat – monounsaturated fat which is good for your heart. Remember it is still high in fat so don’t go overboard.
Onions – These layered vegetables are said to have a dramatic positive effect on your risk of getting cancer (in particular breast and stomach). They have sulphur compounds and flavanoid quertin which are the chemicals responsible for lowering your risk of getting cancer.
Oranges – Famous for it’s high levels of vitamin C, but oranges also contain folic acid, potassium and selenium amongst other vitamins. Oranges help promote healthy skin.
Pumpkin – As a fruit or as a seed, pumpkin is very good for you. Pumpkins contain high levels of zinc and pumpkin seeds have high levels of manganese, iron, copper and protein. Pumpkin seeds are also an aphrodesiac.
Salmon – A fantastic source of protein as well as being naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids which has a whole host of health benefits that include decreasing the risk of heart problems and lowering blood pressure.
Soy – Soy products are a great source of protein, especially for vegetarians and is said to lower the risk of prostate and breast cancer significantly. Try soya nuts for a snack.
Sweet Potatoes – High in antioxidants, low in fat and keeps your skin healthy. If you make one change to your diet, replace normal potatoes for sweet potatoes. They do everything a normal potato does, but are just loads better for your health.
Tea – The drink that British people can’t get enough of if you believe the stereotypes. Whether green or black, tea is high in antioxidants and helps protect against heart disease.
Tomatoes – Delicious in every variety and good for you too. They contain high levels of vitamin C and potassium as well as keeping your skin looking healthy.
Watercress - Gram for gram, watercress is one of the best foods for vitamin C, B1, B6, K and E. Not to mention it’s bursting with Iron, Zinc and Magnesium.
Wholegrain – Wholegrain products come in the form of oats, wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta and wholewheat rice among others. Don’t confuse brown with wholegrain however as some food manufacturers use ingredients like caramel to turn their product brown to make it appear more healthy. Wholegrain products are rich in fibre which is great for keeping a healthy gut and they have slow releasing energy that can keep you fuller for longer.
What is a ‘Superfood’?
There is some speculation that the term ‘superfood’ has been made up by clever salespeople in order to convince people to spend money on expensive imported berries – but, although the term ‘superfood’ is applied to berries like goji berries and they are more expensive than standard fruit, there are many cheaper foods that are also classed as ‘superfoods’. If you are on a budget, worry not, you too can include superfoods in your weekly shopping trolly and they wont cost you the earth.
There is no doubt, superfoods are foods that are good for your health. There is no exact definition for a superfood, but in July 2009 EU legislation came into force meaning that any food advertised as a superfood had to have a substantiated claim behind it. In other words, there had to be a good scientific reason for calling something a superfood.
Almonds - A good source of protein and fibre as well as many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E. Go for unroasted and unsalted.
Apples – An apple a day can indeed keep the doctor away, apples are great for lowering cholesterol and contains pectin which is good for helping the removal of some metals in your body that you don’t need.
Avocados – This great fruit contains loads of fibre, vitamin E, potassium, monounsaturated fat and folic acid. They are also very easily digested.
Bananas - Bananas are excellent for fuelling up before or after exercise because they have a slightly higher natural sugar level than other fruits, but don’t let this put you off as bananas are great for snacking on as well. They are packed with potassium which helps keep blood pressure down.
Beetroot – Beetroot is good for helping reduce cholesterol levels and contain loads of antioxidants. Beetroot is a rich source of folic acid.
Blueberries – These little berries are great for reducing the damage to cells through the natural aging process, so they can help you stay looking younger for longer!
Broccoli – A fantastic vegetable naturally high in vitamin C and fibre. This food is one of the best superfoods out there, it helps beat cancer and gives our body a boost in fighting most other diseases. Eat it every single day of your life – no joke.
Cocoa – Before you get too excited, this doesn’t mean eating chocolate is healthy for you. Cocoa can help against heart disease and cancer, but go for small portions of dark chocolate as that has the highest cocoa content.
Cranberries – These berries are particularly useful against urinary infections and there are suggestions that cranberries can aid the recovery of a stroke.
Flaxseeds – The richest non-animal source of omega-3, important for vegetarians to get their recommended omega-3 intake.
Garlic – A great food for boosting your immune system, not so great for your breath but enjoy it with a partner and you wont notice.
Ginger - There has been suggestions that ginger is just as good as an aspirin for preventing blood clotting (this is not a medical instruction – stick to what the doc says). Ginger is naturally high in many antioxidants and is good for cleansing the colon.
Olive Oil – Ditch your other oils and only use olive oil. It has a high quantity of fat, but it’s good fat – monounsaturated fat which is good for your heart. Remember it is still high in fat so don’t go overboard.
Onions – These layered vegetables are said to have a dramatic positive effect on your risk of getting cancer (in particular breast and stomach). They have sulphur compounds and flavanoid quertin which are the chemicals responsible for lowering your risk of getting cancer.
Oranges – Famous for it’s high levels of vitamin C, but oranges also contain folic acid, potassium and selenium amongst other vitamins. Oranges help promote healthy skin.
Pumpkin – As a fruit or as a seed, pumpkin is very good for you. Pumpkins contain high levels of zinc and pumpkin seeds have high levels of manganese, iron, copper and protein. Pumpkin seeds are also an aphrodesiac.
Salmon – A fantastic source of protein as well as being naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids which has a whole host of health benefits that include decreasing the risk of heart problems and lowering blood pressure.
Soy – Soy products are a great source of protein, especially for vegetarians and is said to lower the risk of prostate and breast cancer significantly. Try soya nuts for a snack.
Sweet Potatoes – High in antioxidants, low in fat and keeps your skin healthy. If you make one change to your diet, replace normal potatoes for sweet potatoes. They do everything a normal potato does, but are just loads better for your health.
Tea – The drink that British people can’t get enough of if you believe the stereotypes. Whether green or black, tea is high in antioxidants and helps protect against heart disease.
Tomatoes – Delicious in every variety and good for you too. They contain high levels of vitamin C and potassium as well as keeping your skin looking healthy.
Watercress - Gram for gram, watercress is one of the best foods for vitamin C, B1, B6, K and E. Not to mention it’s bursting with Iron, Zinc and Magnesium.
Wholegrain – Wholegrain products come in the form of oats, wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta and wholewheat rice among others. Don’t confuse brown with wholegrain however as some food manufacturers use ingredients like caramel to turn their product brown to make it appear more healthy. Wholegrain products are rich in fibre which is great for keeping a healthy gut and they have slow releasing energy that can keep you fuller for longer.
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