Your diet is the single most important factor in maintaining your health. It’s non-negotiable for a happy, fit, and robust lifestyle. You can have the most intense and rigorous training program, but if you fail to fuel your system with healthy foods, it’s all for nothing. As the old saying goes, “you can’t outwork a poor diet”. With that said, there are certain foods that are obviously much better than others, these are known as superfoods.
And they are crucial for sustaining your health, increasing energy levels, and so much more. Superfoods are the holy grail of healthy dietary consumption. As such, they will help you live a life full of energy, vibrancy, and good health.
For this reason, I have gathered a list of 7 superfoods you can add to your diet to begin bolstering your health today. But first, you may be wondering exactly…
What Are Superfoods?
Superfoods are rich, nutritionally concentrated food alternatives. Mostly plant-based (although some fish and dairy products are included as well), superfoods are deemed to be some of the most healthy food options available.
As such, they are a nourishing alternative that encourages a flourishing and robust lifestyle.
Learning the value of superfoods is essential. These salient food options contain a myriad of nutritional dietary properties that can help you live a healthy life for many years to come.
Some of these nutritional benefits include:
- Antioxidants: Used to stave off cancer
- Healthy fats: Invaluable for the prevention of heart disease
- Phytochemicals: Protects and strengthens cells to ward off disease and illness
- Fiber: Helps prevent digestive problems and fends off illnesses such as diabetes
As you can clearly see, regularly consuming these nutritionally rich foods can have many positive health effects. As a result, superfoods are a necessity for anyone who wants to live a healthy and flourishing lifestyle. But with that said, you may be wondering what some of these superfoods actually are. Fair enough! Keep reading to learn about the 7 superfoods that will transform your health life.
1. Dark Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, cabbage, romaine lettuce, collard greens, etc. These are the type of leafy green superfoods that will encourage health and prevent disease. They are rich in vitamins and minerals yet low in calories, which means these foods can minimize health complications such as obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and much more.
In order to take full advantage of the benefits provided by leafy greens, the USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) recommends that you eat a minimum of two to three cups daily.
You can begin this practice by chopping up small amounts of leafy greens and adding them to your current diet. Over time, you can gradually increase the quantity until you reach the recommended amount.
2. Nut & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are rich in fiber, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they are also a great source of protein and can help to control and manage body weight. This is due to the fact that the fats aren’t entirely absorbed, which as a result, regulates the intake of food and assists with burning energy.
Moreover, it is said that each nut variation acts as an enhancement of bodily function or as a preventative for certain illnesses or diseases.
For example, heart health is bolstered by almonds, cognition is enhanced by cashews, and Brazil nuts may be a cancer preventative.
Furthermore, seeds also rank high on our list of superfoods. Everything from chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, etc, are not only great additions to any dietary plan, but they are also rich in nutrients and nutritional value.
3. Seafood
Fish is among one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods on the planet — both for your body and mind. As such, you’d do well to incorporate this superfood into your diet as a staple. Packed with rich vitamins, important nutrients, and high-quality protein, fish is both delicious and healthy.
Moreover, cooking is relatively easy and many health professionals agree — it should be a frequent option for everybody’s dish for optimal health.
Healthy seafood options include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Trout
- Oysters
- Cod, etc
These seafood options are among some of the most nutritious superfoods out there. And their benefits can be felt in everything from your heart health all the way to your eyesight and joints.
4. Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries — all are dense and generously packed with important vitamins. As a result, they are worthy to be ranked as some of the best superfoods you can get your hands on.
Although they are all exceptionally healthy, each variation of berry has its own strengths in regard to the health benefits it provides.
For example, blueberries contain phytonutrients such as anthocyanin, which have been known to enhance brain functionality. Blackberries may help fight against diabetes in addition to certain cancer variations. And strawberries and raspberries are both packed full of antioxidants and may reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure.
5. Eggs
Due to their highly concentrated cholesterol levels, eggs have long been a debatable choice to have as part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, their nutritional value is virtually unmatched, as such, eggs border as one of the healthiest dietary choices you can possibly make.
And the truth of the matter is, whole eggs, are dense with a variety of health-inducing vitamins and minerals. Everything from choline, B vitamins, and iron, all the way to selenium and high-quality protein can be found in this nutrient-rich superfood.
As a result, any hangups you may have about eggs regarding high cholesterol can be put to rest. In fact, research has proven that there are no quantifiable risks to your health by consuming up to a dozen eggs weekly. For this reason, you can feel confident that the advantages far outweigh any possible detriments.
6. Broccoli
Broccoli is ranked high among the superfoods. It is rich in nutrients and low in calories and is densely packed with antioxidants that encourage health and wellbeing. A cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is in the same family as cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, and brussels sprouts.
Additional benefits of eating broccoli include:
- Reduction of mental health issues
- Good for your stomach
- Enhances eye health
- May prevent cancer
- Reduces cholesterol
- Strengthens your heart
Moreover, you can enjoy broccoli in many ways. You can cook it, steam it, or simply eat it raw. However, if you want to get the most of out this nutrient-rich superfood, steaming it will offer the most health advantages.
7. Water
While it may not be a food option per se, water is a form of sustenance that no human (or species for that matter) can go without. Water nourishes your entire body by delivering oxygen to your cells. It revitalizes your system, aids with digestion, stabilizes blood pressure, and even regulates your body temperature.
For these reasons — in addition to many others — water is a “superfood” that ranks as one of the important forms of sustenance for human beings.
And the unfortunate part is that most of us aren’t getting the recommended amount of our daily water intake. When you drink enough water, your body is more languid and easy-moving. Your joints feel more at ease and the rest of your system operates more efficiently.
Many nutritionists agree you should drink between 8 to 10 cups of water daily.
Next Step: Incorporate Superfoods Into Your Diet Today
There are many superfoods available out there. As such, start today to find the ones you want to try and begin adding them to your diet. And within no time at all, you’ll begin experiencing the health, energy, and vitality you’ve never thought possible. Such is the power of a nutritious diet.
