Greetings, Friends! How are things going for you?
I provided some advice for eating healthily on a budget a few weeks ago, but I didn't include superfoods. When I first began thinking about eating better, I turned to Google, where'superfood' was even more of a catchphrase than it is today.
Almost every website I visited had a post or article on superfoods and their many health advantages. I kept seeing posts about things I'd never heard of and couldn't even pronounce: chia seeds, goji berries, tumeric, kefir, hemp seeds, kale...the list goes on and on.
I recall thinking that in order to start eating healthier, I'd have to overhaul my whole life - even the language I spoke!! To top it off, purchasing all of those superfoods would rapidly become prohibitively costly.
However, I was taken aback when I discovered that superfoods were not as "new" as they were made up to be. Yes, the term "superfood" is new and flashy, and it's being pushed for maximum impact, but what it symbolizes isn't.
Unless you've lived your whole life on cup noodles and Coca-Cola, you've undoubtedly come across superfoods and may even consume them on a daily basis.
It's just not the most well-known and unusual ones that garner the most attention.
What exactly is a superfood?
The term "superfood" does not have a medical meaning. Superfoods, on the other hand, are nutritional powerhouses that are high in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, according to health.com.
So, using that description, can you see how superfoods aren't out of this world? Really, you're consuming superfoods if you eat the rainbow. And you won't have to spend your whole life savings to obtain them.
Do you have any doubts?
1. Garlic
This'smelly rose' not only adds incredible flavor to meals, but it also has incredible healing capabilities. Garlic includes a substance called allicin, which may significantly boost the immune system's activity. It may also aid in the prevention of cancer, the promotion of cardiovascular health, and the reduction of inflammation.
Garlic has also been documented to aid in the repelling of vampire mosquitoes and the treatment of athletes' foot, which are both non-superfood benefits.
Tip: Too much heat may degrade the allicin in garlic, so add it to meals after it's been removed from the fire for the best results.
2. Red Bell Peppers
The vitamin C content of red bell peppers is out of this world. A red bell pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange.
And we all know how beneficial Vitamin C is to our health. Since the beginning of time, youngsters have been leveraging that knowledge to sneak second and third glasses of OJ...or at least I did.
But, in case you forgot, Vitamin C is beneficial to your skin, eyes, immune system, cardiovascular health, and many other things.
Also, since red bell peppers have a high water content (more than 90%), they may help you stay hydrated.
3. Carrots
We all know how much I like pumpkin, but I promise I'm not making it up when I say it's a superfood!
Pumpkin is high in vitamin C, as well as phytonutrients like beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, which may assist with eyesight, immunity, and skin rejuvenation. It also includes potassium, which aids in the reduction of blood pressure and the maintenance of bone health.
4. Beans
'Beans, beans, the melodious fruit...' says the narrator.
I'll be quick since I've previously said how great beans are. Despite the risks of eating raw beans, they are a wonderful source of high-fat protein, which is often found in red meats, as well as heart-healthy minerals. Beans are rich in fiber, so they keep you full in addition to being a good source of vegetarian protein.
Did I mention they're inexpensive?
5. Broccoli
Do you recall broccoli? The once-famous, must-eat green vegetable that was replaced by spinach and kale? It's still as healthy as it's always been.
Broccoli isn't quite as nutritious as kale, but it's no slouch either. It's a good source of folic acid, which may aid in the prevention of some malignancies, as well as the maintenance of healthy brain function and cells. Broccoli, like red bell peppers, is high in Vitamin C, so it provides all of the same advantages.
Isn't it pretty decent?
