Top 5 Superfoods You Need To Add To Your Diet ASAP
In recent years, there have been more natural food options popping up all over the place, and with good reason! People have begun to make the shift to a more clean diet filled with fruits and vegetables. However, making the shift to a better diet can be a little stressful, especially if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for. With so many healthy options out there, it can be difficult to target the most beneficial, yet delicious foods that won’t break your bank account. Being a natural food lover myself, I have compiled a list of my top five favorite superfoods that you should start incorporating into your meals today!
1.) Avocados
I personally think the saying should go “an avocado a day keeps the doctor away”! Avocados are packed with essential nutrients like fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids (which are the good fats btw!). A single avocado has more potassium than a banana! Who knew, right?! Other health benefits include lowering bad cholesterol, high in antioxidants, and it helps prevent cancer. Another reason to love avocados is that there are many ways to eat them! From avocado toast to incorporating them into your green smoothies, it won’t be challenging to add them in your next meal.
2.) Cacao Nibs
Cacao nibs are essentially the purest form of dark chocolate originating from the cacao bean. Even though the sugar hasn’t been incorporated in them, they still have a rich flavor with a nice crunchy texture. These little nibs of cacao are also full of antioxidants like flavanols. It helps to get rid of free radicals in the body, which helps prevent diseases.
Along with detoxing the body, cacao nibs are full of iron, manganese, fiber and protein (which helps to slow digestion to aid weight management). I just sprinkle a tablespoon or two on my cereal or oatmeal in the morning or simply blend them in with my smoothies. If you are a dark chocolate lover, I would definitely give these a go!
3.) Flaxseeds
Oatmeal, protein bars, baked in bread and even in oil form found in smoothies. Flaxseeds have taken the world by storm with their numerous health benefits! They are high in nutrients, such as fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids.
The benefits include lowering your cholesterol as well as helping the hair look and feel amazing! It also helps the skin in becoming blemish-free. Another bonus is that they are gluten-free, so those with gluten intolerances can enjoy too! No matter how you’re eating them, the benefits of flaxseeds are beneficial both on the inside and the outside.
4.) Ginger
Yes, the bread that you make every Christmas season offers a lot more than just being festive! Ginger is a superfood that, while having many health benefits, helps with motion sickness. Ginger is extremely powerful in supporting gastrointestinal circulation, which gets rid of that nauseas feeling in your stomach.
Whether you are an expecting mother experiencing morning sickness or just queasy when you travel, ginger is an all natural cure for motion sickness! Other benefits include having antibacterial properties, helping to relieve muscle pain, and even lowers the risk of heart disease.
Break out the gingersnap cookies and candy and start eating!
5) Pulses
Pulses refers to the group of food that includes chickpeas, beans, legumes and dried peas. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, pulses should be your best friend because they supply an enormous amount of plant-based protein with each serving! These foods are categorized as complex carbohydrates. This means that they take longer to break down in the body resulting in long-lasting energy for you to use throughout the day. This is why this is one of the best superfoods to try out!
Fiber is another key nutrient that they supply which makes you feel fuller longer. Labeled as a “heart healthy food”, pulses have been proven to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. I choose to incorporate my pulses on top of salads and in sandwiches, but there are tons of creative ways for people to have it in their meals.
These superfoods truly are the first stepping stones in having a better diet for yourself. Once you taste how good they are, you’ll never look back! Bon appetite, readers!
