Here’s the thing, we tend to put a lot of emphasis on what we shouldn’t be eating but it’s time the foods we really should be eating get some attention! There are many amazing and delicious foods that are considered superfoods that should be a part of a healthy diet. But what is a superfood exactly? A superfood is considered to be an extremely nutrient-rich food that is known to be beneficial for our health and well-being.
While there is a long list of incredibly healthy foods not all of them are suitable for daily consumption as some may be very high in fat, high in sugar, or other factors that can negatively impact your health if consumed too often. But today, we’re focusing on exactly which superfoods you should and are recommended to enjoy daily. Keep in mind, we are not medical doctors, and we highly recommend speaking to a professional before making any major changes in your diet. These foods have even been shown to have metabolism boosting properties.
Okay I get it, green tea isn’t exactly considered food but it is something you can consume and therefore it deserves to be included in this list! Green tea contains catechins which are known to help speed up your metabolism. A healthy metabolism will help your body burn fat and may even protect against cancer.
Further, green tea has enough caffeine to give you a boost of energy without causing the “jittery” effects much like coffee. To reap the benefits of green tea, it is recommended that you drink about 3 to 5 cups per day.
Avocados are considered a superfood because they are loaded with amazing nutrients. For example, they’re an excellent source of folic acid, Omega 3, fiber, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants and so much more!
Avocados are also loaded with monounsaturated fats called oleic acid, which is known to help the body burn energy. This is a good thing because it can help to boost your metabolism. Furthermore, enjoying an avocado a day could help to improve poor cholesterol levels, however, be mindful that avocados do come with a lot of calories. It may be best to enjoy only half of the fruit, or a few slices instead!
Yogurt is considered a superfood because it’s a wonderful source of protein, probiotics, and calcium. It’s important to note that not all yogurt is created equal. Stay away from artificially flavored and sweetened yogurts and stick to high-quality plain low-fat yogurts.
Yogurt also contains good bacteria that could help to boost your immunity, however, to gain the probiotic benefits, you need to make sure your yogurt is labeled with “live active cultures”. Keep in mind if you find plain yogurt too boring, or are craving something sweet consider pairing it with fresh or frozen berries or perhaps, homemade granola!
You know the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. In fact, eating an apple a day is actually quite encouraged for several reasons. Firstly, apples are great for your heart. This is because they’re full of soluble fiber which can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Secondly, apples can help boost good gut bacteria thanks to a fiber called pectin. They’re also known to encourage bone health due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in apples. All in all, indulging in an apple daily will only benefit you in the long run.
Berries are natures candy. If eaten ripe, their incredibly sweet but aside from their lovely flavor, their incredibly healthy for you and would be an excellent contribution to your daily diet.
We’re constantly surrounded by free radicals. Small doses of free radicals can be okay but too much exposure can cause oxidative stress. Thankfully berries are loaded with antioxidants which can help keep those free radicals at bay. Further, berries are a great source of fiber, including soluble fiber which can help you feel more full for a longer period of time and in turn, help to manage your calorie intake.
Oranges are exploding in nutrients and would be an excellent part of your daily diet. For starters, they’re rich in vitamin C which plays an important role in repairing, growing, and developing your body tissue. This will also help to boost your immunity which will, in turn, help to prevent the common cold.
Further, like berries, oranges are rich in antioxidants which can help to prevent skin damage. They’re also rich in Vitamin B6 which can help keep your blood pressure in check and finally, oranges may help you control your blood sugar levels too because they’re rich in fiber.
Out of all the grains available to us, oats are one of the healthiest. Not only are they gluten-free but they’re whole grain too and come with loads of important vitamins, minerals and more! Oats are most commonly enjoyed during breakfast and are encouraged to be eaten daily.
Oatmeal is quite filling which means it can help you feel satiated for longer. Further, oats are also rich in antioxidants, are rich in soluble fiber as well as important vitamins and minerals such as manganese, iron, zinc, vitamin B1 and vitamin B5. All of these lovely traits come with great benefits such as healthy skin, relieving constipation, controlling blood sugar and more.
Spinach is loaded with amazing nutrients that offer our bodies many benefits! Spinach contains calcium which is known to help keep your bones strong and healthy and may even help to prevent injuries. Further, spinach may prevent diseases such as colon cancer and breast cancer thanks to its amazing nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, fiber and more.
If a spinach salad doesn’t entice you, there are other great ways to add it into your diet. Try it blended into a berry smoothie or try our Kid-Approved Green Smoothie Muffins. Both of these ideas would make an excellent breakfast or afternoon snack!
There’s a reason why everyone tells you to eat your greens! Much like other leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli contains many health benefits too and should be enjoyed every day. To begin, broccoli is rich in not just vitamin A but also vitamin B, C, E, and K!
Vitamin C will help to support a strong immune system while vitamin K, can help manage healthy bones. Plus, All of these wonderful nutrients contain amazing anti-inflammatory properties as well as help to support the liver and its detoxification process.
Eating a handful of nuts daily is not only delicious but recommended too – unless you have an allergy, of course! Although, it’s important to know they are high in calories and fat so try not to overindulge and keep it to just one handful a day.
The most commonly consumed nuts are almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts. Nuts are a great source of fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, antioxidants and more! These awesome nutrients may help lower cholesterol levels, may reduce inflammation, and may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Who else fell victim to the belief that carrots will help you see in the dark? Well, our parents may have had good intentions to encourage us to eat our veggies it isn’t exactly true. While they may not give you super eyesight powers they are certainly a superfood and would be a wonderful contribution to your daily diet.
Firstly, carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A which does actually help to maintain good vision. Further, vitamin A, as well as the antioxidants found in carrots, can both promote healthy glowing skin. Carrots are also a great source of fiber which may help lower blood pressure, may help you feel full longer, and may help to keep your sugar levels in check.
Eggs had a bad rap for a while as we were lead to believe they would make our cholesterol levels skyrocket. While newer studies have shown that this isn’t true, more individuals are beginning to add eggs back into their daily diet. For good reason too. Eggs are low in calories, high in protein and are rich in vitamin D, B6, and B12.
Furthermore, eggs are also an excellent source of important minerals such as iron, copper, and zinc. However, not all eggs are created equal. If you want to maintain a healthy breakfast or snack try and stay away from fried eggs and hold the side of bacon and the white toast. Instead, enjoy a plain boiled egg on its own!
