Eating in today’s world can be challenging with the brightly wrapped products most likely containing sugar, but that’s not what this article is about. This article discusses “superfoods” and how to incorporate them into daily life. Including nutrient-dense foods in one’s diet can contribute to an individual’s overall health and well-being.
Read below on healthy ways to eat one’s heart out.
What is a Superfood?
The word “superfood” is a marketing term for food that claims to have exceptional nutrient density. Moreover, superfoods are “natural foods,” such as leafy greens, which promote a healthy immune system and assist in disease prevention. Something noteworthy to mention is not all healthy foods are superfoods.
To determine what a superfood is, one must examine the healthy benefits beyond what is expected on the food’s nutritional profile. For instance, “good fats,” like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, help lower cholesterol. One can find this in an avocado, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Avocado can be implicated in daily life by eating on toast or sliced up on leafy greens, creating an even more delicious super-meal.
Leafy Green Vitamins
Salad has long been on the list of healthy eating, but the type of lettuce matters. Compared to iceberg lettuce, dark, leafy greens such as bok choy or kale are packed with vitamins A, C, and E. Which possibly helps prevent cancer. One can also find vitamin K in leafy greens, which promotes bone health and folate (heart health).
Berries are another excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. According to the American Heart Association, berries such as goji or acai berries help lower the risk of heart attacks in women. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of fruits, vegetables, grains, roots, tea, and wine can be attributed to the presence of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a natural substance or compound found in plants, which are commonly digested in the human diet.
To receive these delectable vitamins, one simply grabs a handful of berries and eats them like berries. One can combine leafy greens and berries, such as a green strawberry smoothie. However one chooses to eat, the aftermath will soothe the digestive system.
Fiber
Fiber is another source of a superfood, found in nuts, seeds, and legumes. Legumes such as chickpeas, beans, or lentils help lower cholesterol, improve digestive health, and manage blood sugar levels. Lentils especially promote regular bowel movements and contribute to the feeling of fullness, which supports weight management. Bean chili or chickpea curry is a classic way to incorporate legumes into one’s daily diet.
Nuts and seeds, such as flaxseeds, almonds, or chia seeds, provide the same benefits, plus supported energy levels. It is an excellent snack to energize one through the rest of a busy day or afternoon. One can make a homemade trail mix by filling the bag with mixed nuts, seeds, and dried berries, hitting all the nutritional properties.
Conclusion
Including superfoods in one’s daily diet can provide a wealth of health benefits, such as antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, fiber, healthy fats, and flavonoids. Each of these elements supports different food groups and functions within the body. For instance, one can easily incorporate avocados in one’s breakfast for a healthy dose of fats. One can choose leafy greens for lunch to get essential vitamins, snack on nuts in the afternoon for energy-boosting fiber, and top one’s desserts with berries for a dose of antioxidants. Adding superfoods to one’s diet can ensure overall health and well-being.
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