Super Foods

Super foods

Everyone has seen and read the term “super food” but what does that actually mean.  If my blueberries aren’t putting on a cape and flying through the sky then what makes them a super food?  By definition, super foods are low in calories and high in nutrients, how amazing!  Super foods are full of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals.  It is said that eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease and some cancers.

Now lets get into the different types of super foods that you should incorporate into your diet! 

First up, green super foods; Green super foods have the highest concentrations of easily digestible nutrients, fat burning compounds, vitamins and minerals to protect and heal the body.

WHEAT GRASS

• sprouted grass of a wheat seed. Unlike the whole grain, it no longer contains gluten or other common allergic agents. 
• super alkalizing and is excellent for promoting healthy blood.

BARELY GRASS

• 11 times more calcium than cows milk, 5 times more iron than spinach and 7 times more Vitamin C and bio-flavonoids than orange juice.  Wow!

WILD BLUE GREEN ALGAE

•  phyto-plankton and contains virtually every nutrient. 
•  60% protein content and a more complete amino acid profile than beef or soybeans. 
• It contains one of the best-known food sources of beta-carotene, B vitamins and chlorophyll.

SPIRULINA

• Though it may have a taste that takes some getting used to, its high content of everything nutritious makes up for it. 
•  top two ingredients are protein and omega fatty acids. This is a great way for vegetarians to incorporate these into their diet!

Up next we have nut, seed and fruit super foods.  These super foods are high in anti-oxidants that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals sound like alien invaders that are coming to destroy your precious health!. When enough of these free radicals invade our immune system problems occurs. This is when we need super foods to come save the day.

GOJI BERRIES

•  very rich source of vitamin C, having 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges and actually more than any other fruit. 
•  great source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E and contain a full complement of protein with 18 amino acids.

RAW CACAO

•  contains possibly the most concentrated source of antioxidants found in any food.
•  14 times more flavonoids (antioxidants) than red wine and 21 times more than green tea.

 ACAI

• appearance of a purple grape and taste of a tropical berry it has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties thanks to a high level of anthocyanins, pigments also found in red wine. 
• high level of antioxidants will put a stop to those free radicals floating around your body.

CHIA SEEDS

• good for your head with their high content of omega fatty acids that increase healthy brain function. 
• wide variety of nutrients, such as: protein, fiber, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium and antioxidants. 

Now the easiest way to get these superfoods flying into your life is… drum roll please… SMOOTHIES!

Antioxidant Acai Cacao Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

·       1 cup coconut water

·       1/4 avocado

·       1/3 cup plain greek yogurt

·       1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

·       1 tablespoon almond butter or a handful of raw almonds

·       1 tablespoon goji berries (blended or sprinkled on top)

·       1 tablespoon cacao powder

·       1/2 tablespoon cacao nibs (blended or sprinkled on top)

·       1 teaspoon chia seeds

·       1 teaspoon bee pollen

·       1 teaspoon acai powder

·       1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Chocolate Blueberry Spirulina Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

·       1 cup almond milk

·       1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

·       1 tablespoon tahini

·       1 tablespoon cacao powder

·       1/2 tablespoon cacao nibs (blend some and sprinkle some on top)

·       1/2 tablespoon spirulina

·       1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder or extract

Chocolate Almond Berry Butter Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

·       1 cup almond milk

·       1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

·       1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

·       1/4 cup almonds (ideally soaked first)

·       1 tablespoon almond butter

·       1 tablespoon cacao powder

·       1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

·       1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder or extract

Blueberry Chocolate Dream Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

·       1 cup almond milk

·       1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

·       1/2 small avocado

·       1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

·       3 Brazil nuts

·       1 tablespoon cacao powder

·       1 teaspoon cacao nibs

·       1 teaspoon maca

·       1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

·       2 drops vanilla extract