What Is A Superfood?

If you’re hitting your macros and getting adequate protein and veggies each day, you might be thinking your diet couldn't get much better right? But what if you could improve it even more? Enter, superfoods. 

Focusing on foods with proven health benefits is one way to maximize your meal plans and your health. So, let’s break down exactly what a superfood is, and give you a few options to add to your shopping list this week.

 

What is a Superfood?

While the term “superfood” is not actually regulated with a standard definition, it often refers to foods that have specific health benefits and functions. We all know that fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are good for us to include in our diet, but which ones have obvious health benefits? 

Investigating the micronutrients – vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds – often shows how these cellular-level components can have large health benefits.

 

What are some common Superfoods? 

Cruciferous Vegetables 

While you may be including vegetables like cauliflower, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts in your diet because they’re low calorie, high in fiber, and delicious – did you know they’re also considered a superfood? These veggies contain powerful vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamins A, C, K and phytonutrients which can help reduce inflammation.1 

  

Spinach

Spinach is a nutrient-dense superfood that provides a wide variety of health benefits. It's great in salads, cooked, or thrown into a smoothie. 

Spinach is high in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and iron, and even contains some protein. Packed with Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, research supports that spinach can protect cells from oxidative damage, prevent inflammation and help with weight loss.2 

  

Berries

Berries are often a popular fruit choice when trying to lose weight, limit high sugar fruits or cut carbs. While naturally sweet and delicious, they are often lower in carbs per gram than some other fruits. 

Berries are packed with water, fiber, and antioxidants, which leads to health benefits like reducing inflammation, promoting heart health, healthy aging, and gut health.3 Research shows that the benefits of berries are even greater when your body is in a state of metabolic stress (ie, intense workouts).3 

  

Fatty Fish 

Salmon, herring, and mackerel are considered superfoods thanks to their high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Specifically, these fish are high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA have been shown to have heart healthy benefits and experts recommend eating at least two servings of fatty fish each week.4

 

Garlic

While garlic is a key ingredient in many savory dishes, you might find that some people insist on large doses of garlic when they want to fight off an illness. Considered an herbal remedy, garlic has been used for centuries to treat infection. More recent research supports its heart healthy benefits.5 

  

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are widely known for their benefits, particularly heart healthy benefits.6 While the individual nutritional profiles of nuts and seeds vary, they all contribute fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health in addition to being a satisfying source of healthy fat. 

  

Dark Chocolate 

The news that dark chocolate could actually be good for you might be the most exciting scientific discovery of the 20th century. 

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants thanks to its cocoa content, which can be beneficial for heart health. While chocolate also contains fat and sugar (which aren’t so good for heart health), dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa and less fat and sugar for maximum health benefit.7 Try to find 70% cocoa content or greater. 

  

Green Tea

While most types of tea contain powerful plant-based compounds, green tea is a particularly popular superfood beverage that is packed with polyphenols, which are responsible for its health benefits. 

Green tea contains antioxidants that have protective health benefits, and can be used as a nootropic to aid focus, energy and weight loss.8 You can drink traditional hot green tea, try it as matcha powder, or mix some in with your protein shake. 

  

Avocado

While avocado is a delicious source of heart healthy fat, did you know it also has high levels of protein and fat-soluble vitamins? Fat-soluble vitamins are key to our health and best absorbed with a source of healthy fat like avocado. 

In addition to supporting heart health, including avocados in your diet can also help prevent age related disease. Avocado is also popular in beauty products for its hydrating oils too, leaving your skin looking brighter.9

 

Take Home Message

While the healthiest dietary patterns contain a wide variety of foods to vary your nutrient intake, including these nine superfoods in your weekly meal plan are a great way to benefit your health. While these foods don’t have magical or immediate impacts, they are a good way to take control of a healthier overall diet and lifestyle, and they’re all tasty too!