What is a SUPERFOOD?
I talk about superfoods all the time. So figured it’s time to get us all on the same page about what they are.
There’s no legal definition of ‘superfood’ so here’s my official definition…
SUPERFOODS:
Foods (mostly plants) that provide extraordinary health benefits.
I love 💓 the term ‘superfood’ because it implies some foods are better for you than others, which is true! I say: “All foods fit, but some fit better than others.”
How do you know if a food is a SUPERFOOD? Use this checklist…
✔️It’s typically a plant
Think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, herbs, spices. There are some superfoods that aren’t plants like functional dairy such as kefir & yogurt for probiotics, eggs for brain choline, and fish for omega-3s.
✔️It’s usually colorful
The colors in foods are plant compounds called phytochemicals that work to protect & strengthen our cells.
✔️It often has a strong flavor
The flavors in foods like garlic & onions are plant compounds called phytochemicals that work to protect & strengthen our cells.
✔️It’s close to its natural form
It’s basically a whole food (or one that has been very minimally processed), there’s no long ingredient list, and nothing has been added or taken away. All the nutrients are naturally occurring.
SUPERFOOD MYTH BUSTING
BIGGEST MYTH: Superfoods are exotic or expensive. Superfoods are NOT just those pricy smoothie powders or unusual healthfood store finds like maca or goji berries.
The most powerful superfoods are those ordinary, EVERYDAY foods that have lots of nutrition such as apples, berries, citrus, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, garlic, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, salmon, eggs, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, avocados, etc. 😍
FINAL SUPERFOOD THOUGHT
Remember, no one superfood can save you. For optimal health it is most important to have a wide variety of foods and not just focus on the ones with the most popularity or media buzz at the moment. Check out THIS list to help you have superfood variety. xx
