These days we see them everywhere! We see them on online articles, on social media, and at the grocery stores. Superfoods are everywhere! But with so many to choose from, you might be wondering which are the healthy superfoods that you need to have. Here are the top 9 that you should include in your diet.
Top 9 Healthy superfoods to add to your everyday meal
1. Kale
If you type superfoods into Google, kale would probably one of the first ones you’ll see. This green leafy vegetable is full of vitamins A, C, K, and many more. It also contains very little calories, so it’s perfect for those who are watching their intake.
If you are not a fan of salads, you can easily make some kale chips as your afternoon snack.
2. Chia seeds
Are you looking for a superfood that can help you lose weight? Chia seeds expand when they get wet which can help make you feel full even after consuming only a little amount. It will also keep you feeling full longer so you won’t even crave for a snack between meals.
Chia seeds are not just for weight loss though. It also contains a lot of antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Aside from that, they can also help control your blood sugar levels.
You can easily add them to your usual meals as the taste of chia seeds will not really affect your dishes. You can add them to salads, overnight oats or even bake them into bread.
3. Avocado
Another one of the healthy superfoods is avocado.
With the rise of avocado’s popularity, so many recipes have sprung up telling us how to use this ingredient. You have the usual smoothies and salads, but now people even have it fried or have an egg baked at its center.
If you like avocado without so many frills, then just go with the classic homemade guacamole recipe. It’s simple and so easy to do and you can enjoy it alone or with a group of people.
4. Sweet Potatoes
You might think that carbs have no place on a list of healthy superfoods, but sweet potatoes have definitely earned its place on this list. They are filled with carotenoids, which are antioxidants.
Sweet potatoes can, therefore, help with your body’s immune system and all the other benefits that antioxidants can give. They are also a good source of fiber and potassium.
For those days when you feel like indulging in carbs, sweet potatoes are a safer choice than other carbs. You can have them baked like fries so that even kids can enjoy them.
5. Yogurt
Yogurt is another one that is considered one of the healthy superfoods but be wary as you cannot just buy any yogurt at the grocery.
Some would just be full of sugar and will do more harm than good. Though it might be a little more expensive, better get the Greek yogurt as they are a better investment.
6. Broccoli
These little “trees” contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. And like kale, has also very low-calorie content.
Nutritionists would say that the best way to maximize its nutrients would be to consume them raw. But if you do not like the taste, you can steam them instead of frying as this would ensure that the nutrients are still there.
7. Strawberry
If you are craving for something a little sweet, then you’ll be glad to know that strawberry is one of the healthy superfoods! Strawberries are filled with many nutrients including vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps boost your body’s immune system and even helps your body in repairing itself.
Not only that, new studies have shown that strawberries can even help with your cholesterol levels. Those who regularly eat strawberries have shown that their bad cholesterol level, also known as LDL, was reduced. It bears resemblance to those on taking oat bran supplements.
While strawberries can be enjoyed by itself, why not give yourself a treat and bake some delicious strawberry poke cake over the weekend. It’s the perfect way to indulge yourself!
8. Turmeric
This spice has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, in ancient times , it might have been used for many ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis.
It can also help lower the risk of brain diseases that happen due to age, such as Alzheimer’s and the like. Turmeric can readily be added as a spice to your meals. There are also some turmeric supplements that can be bought.
9. Salmon
If you’re looking for something a little more “meatier” than the healthy superfoods mentioned above, then salmon is the answer. They are packed full of omega-3 fatty acids which have many positive effects on your health. Don’t be turned off by the term fatty, because this fat is actually needed by your body.
According to WebMD, omega-3 fatty acids help lower your risk of getting heart disease. It can even lower your risk of getting a stroke. That is because omega-3 helps to lower your triglycerides which is the bad cholesterol in your body. It can also help with arthritis and even with depression and asthma.
Try to have salmon twice a week and make sure that you go for the wild-caught one instead of the farmed. There is a big nutritional difference between the two as the farmed ones have more omega-6 fatty acids instead of the omega-3.
