Let's discuss some of my favourite superfoods for women, as well as what superfoods are and why we should include as many as possible in our everyday diets.
Food is Medicine
"Food is medicine," argues Mark Hyman, a functional medicine specialist. And some foods have greater medicinal properties than others! "The most potent instrument for achieving good health is food."
He's talking about what we term "superfoods" in the United States. These are the foods that can have a significant favourable influence on our health. Continue reading to learn more about the superfoods I recommend for ladies.
What is a Superfood, exactly?
Any entire meal that is high in critical micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, disease-fighting antioxidants, or good anti-inflammatory fats is considered a superfood. Plant foods make up a large portion of these superfoods.
Inflammation and Antioxidants
But why should we be worried about including superfoods in our regular diets? To begin, superfoods may be able to aid in the reduction of inflammation in the body.
Inflammation is induced, among other things, by stress, lack of sleep, pollutants, and consuming too much processed meals or refined sugar. Every contemporary illness is regarded to have inflammation as one of its core causes.
Antioxidants and other necessary nutrients may also aid in the appearance of healthy skin, which is something that many women (including myself!) value, and another reason why I enjoy these specific superfoods for women.
Jump to:
Hormones in Women
Hormone levels in women change dramatically during the month and throughout our lives. Hormones in our thirties and forties are different from those in our teen years and twenties.
Along with a balanced and diverse diet, including some of my favourite nutrient-dense superfoods for women may help to decrease inflammation and regulate hormones.
It's best to have a varied, plant-based diet.
As a reminder, the greatest healthy diet to follow is one that is strongly focused on a range of plant foods in all the colours of the rainbow (no need to declare yourself vegan or vegetarian, just eat lots of plant foods).
As a result, here are 10 superfoods for women that I like and consume on a daily basis:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a superfood because of curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory chemical contained in turmeric. Turmeric is one of my favourite spices to use in salad dressings, calming lattes, curry meals, and soups. Pair turmeric with black pepper to increase the availability of curcumin in the body.
2. Berries
Berries are believed to be among the world's most antioxidant-rich foods. As many fresh berries as possible, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, should be used. But don't overlook some of my favourite lesser-known berries, like goji berries and camu camu, which come in dried and powdered forms and are great in smoothies, oatmeal bowls, salads, and salad dressings.
3. Leafy greens like spinach and arugula
While all dark leafy greens are superfoods since they're high in vitamins and minerals, my faves are spinach and arugula because of their taste versatility and ease of usage in a number of meals. Every day, I aim to eat at least 1-2 servings of leafy greens.
4. Bright orange coloured fruits and veggies
Citrus fruits, butternut squash, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C and vitamin A, which work as antioxidants in the body.
5. Wild salmon
Wild salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation. Salmon is abundant in protein and one of the few foods that provides vitamin D naturally. Buying tins of wild salmon, which I use to create a fast and simple salmon salad or combine with pasta and pesto or an olive oil and parmesan cheese sauce, is one of my favourite ways to consume more wild salmon.
6. Legumes and beans
If you haven't tried beans or legumes before, now is the time to do so since they are nutritious powerhouses. They're high in plant-based protein, have a lot of fibre, and are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. They're also quite adaptable (black bean tacos, lentil burgers, chickpea curry, etc.). They're also a long-term option. What's not to like about that? I usually have canned beans and lentils on hand in case I need them quickly, and organic tempeh (fermented soybeans) is one of my favourite salad proteins.
7. Oatmeal
For a variety of reasons, oats are one of my favourite superfood whole grains. Oats are high in beta-glucans, a kind of soluble fibre that feeds healthy gut flora and may help decrease LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. In addition, oats contain resistant starch, which aids digestion. Oats have a high fibre level, which keeps us feeling full and pleased, and they're also a great source of energy. All of my delicious baked oatmeal dishes, as well as a bowl of cooked oats laden with other beloved superfoods, are favourites of mine.
8. Cacao
To ask me to select a favourite superfood is like asking me to choose a favourite kid. But if I had to pick, cacao would be my first choice. Raw cacao is the purest form of chocolate, and it provides the greatest health advantages. Cacao is one of nature's foods with the greatest levels of magnesium, a mineral that many people need, and it's also strong in antioxidants. Cacao also includes theobromine, which is a natural mood and energy enhancer as well as an inflammation reducer, and it also contains phenylethylamine, which works by activating the brain's pleasure centres. This chemical is produced naturally in the body when we fall in love and when we experience orgasm. A superfood for ladies, to be sure!
I purchase cacao powder and crispy nibs and use them in oatmeal, smoothies, raw snacks, and other dishes. Cacao is not sweetened like manufactured dark chocolate, therefore I recommend sweetening it with dates, bananas, raw honey, or maple syrup.
9. Seeds
All seeds are superfoods, but chia, hemp, flax, and sesame seeds are among my favourites. These seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, fibre, and plant-based protein, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals. Some individuals also feel that seeds might aid in hormonal balance in women.
I enjoy flax and chia seeds in oatmeal, hemp in and on top of smoothie bowls and avocado toast, and sesame seeds in the form of tahini, which I like.
10. Green tea
Green tea is the healthy drink that has survived the test of time among the many trendy healthy beverages on the market. For millennia, it has been utilised in traditional Chinese medicine. Polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants, are the beneficial components in green tea. Improved brain function, weight reduction, cancer prevention, and reduced risk of heart disease are just a few of the health advantages that may be connected with green tea.
