2013-04-25

10 (Everyday) SuperFoods

These days, "superfoods" are all the rage. In every health food store, you'll see all kinds of fancy (and often very expensive) superfoods that are supposed to restore health, vitality, and have you living to 105 years old (they don't actually make those specific claims, but claims pretty close to these). Some recent and popular superfoods to hit the market include chia seeds, irish moss, goji berries, acai berries/powder, spirulina, maca... plus many, many more.

But what about everyday "superfoods"? Can I eat like a superhuman without breaking the bank? Why, yes, yes you can! Here are some of my top "everyday" superfoods (in no particular order):

Superfood loving: let's see, we have some sweet potatoes, onions, and broccoli! Three everyday all-stars. 

1. Oats - known for their soluble fiber, which keeps you full, your blood sugar regulated, and lower cholesterol by binding to excess cholesterol. I also love their versatility in cooking and baking. Gluten-free too, if you buy certified g-free oats. 
2. Spinach (and other greens) - greens are important for fiber (roughage), tons of vitamins, and loads of minerals. The healthiest vegetables are the greens. 
3. Grapefruits - we all love citrus for the vitamin C, but grapefruit is said to boost metabolism. 
4. Blueberries (and other berries) - high in antioxidants like vitamin C, fiber, and generally a "dark" fruit. Similar to the greens, the darker the fruit or vegetable, the more concentrated the nutrition. 
5. Almonds (and other nuts) - healthy fats and protein. An easy snack to have on hand. Almonds in particular are a source of calcium. 
6. Salmon - good old healthy fatty acids are found in salmon. These essential fats are good for our brain, skin, and mood. 
7. Seeds - flax, sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower are all awesome. Phytoestrogens are found in seeds, which help regulate our hormones and help our body deal with the synthetic hormones lingering due to all the plastics that are abundant in our modern world. 
8. Onions - anti-microbial (awesome to eat when sick), lower blood pressure, and have anti-cancer proprieties. 
9. Sweet Potatoes - lots of vitamin A. You can even eat the (cleaned) skin for extra fiber. A good source of complex carbohydrates. 
10. Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables) - high in calcium, vitamin C, and anti-cancer. Aside from greens, I'd say the cruciferous veggies are the best for your overall well-being. 

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