The name ‘superfood’ does not mean that you get all the nutrients in one bite. Rather, it is an indication that the bite packs so many nutrients that you might not need other foods. The foods also offer nutrients for the long-term health of your body and enough energy to run your daily activities.
Superfoods help you to make better nutritional and dietary choices because a single item on your plate covers a lot of your nutritional requirements. It is a shortcut to reducing dietary- and nutritional-related health conditions. The foods remain beneficial when taken whole or prepared with other foods. When processed, you are likely to lose some of the nutrients. As such, they remain superfoods only as long as they are not processed or over-cooked.
Here are some of the top superfoods to consider for your diet.
Berries
Berries may appear tiny but they pack a lot of nutrients for the body. The berries come with a lot of fiber, a healthy component for digestion purposes. Berries are also naturally sweet. As such, they will boost your appetite and allow you to eat more. That helps you to enjoy more nutrients and food varieties.
Berries are also very colorful. Even the drinks made of berries are also appetizingly colorful. The color is an indication of the presence of a lot of nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals. Further, berries come with a lot of antioxidants that help the body to fight diseases.
Blue berries are especially helpful. They will boost your brain power and capacity. They also keep you from aging and protect your memory. In the process, you keep away from such conditions as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, among such other neurological conditions.
How do you include berries into your diet?
Add the berries to your juices, smoothies, cereals, and yogurt. You may also take berries as snacks in between meals. In case they are out of season, the frozen berries will still serve the purpose.
Fish
Fish is delicious for people of all ages. It makes it to the list of superfoods because of its rich serving of omega-3 fatty acids and proteins. These nutrients help in brain development and functioning.
Fish is always available, although the variety may change from one season to the other. Luckily, nutritional experts recommend such variety so that you can take advantage of the benefits offered by each variety.
Because of the amount of nutrients offered by fish, it is recommended that you take the food in small portions. Children at a young age will require a lot of fish to boost their brain development. You should also consider a lot of fish if your work involves tiring brain work.
You will find fresh fish in the market. It may also be frozen or canned for future consumption. All these varieties are healthy for your body. Some of the best fish varieties are trout, sardines, herring, mackerel, and tuna steak.
Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens are known as a rich source of vitamins. True to the word, they offer an excellent serving of vitamins A, B, C, and E. The vegetables also provide the best source of calcium. If you want a rich source of phytochemicals, you should add more greens to your plate.
Leafy greens are also a rich source of fiber for the body. They help with digestion as well as the absorption of other nutrients into the body. Luckily, there are a lot of varieties of leafy greens such that you can afford a serving each day without the monotony of consuming a single type of food.
The many varieties of leafy greens mean that you have numerous options when serving. Most of the leafy greens form a part of your daily meal. You can consume them alongside cereals, carbohydrates, and starch sources. They are also an incredible addition to salads and smoothies. The greens still maintain their nutritional potency when you add them to stews and soups.
Nuts
Plant proteins are as important as the animal proteins you get from meat. Among all other food groups, nuts are the richest source of plant proteins. Some of the rich food-source nuts include walnuts, groundnuts, pecans, and almonds. These nuts also provide monounsaturated fats that help to reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Nuts are easy to consume as snacks in between meals. You may also add nuts in your smoothie or yogurt. They also accompany cooked vegetables and salads.
Superfoods keep the body healthy by providing a large serving of the nutrients you need for a healthy body. The foods come in their varieties and are easy to prepare. It is your chance to provide the body with all the nutrients it requires for long-term good health.
About the author:
Ann is an experienced writer with mypaperwriter.com, helping students with their assignments. She has written numerous works on student life. She now shares insightful tips to make college life more interesting.
