A ‘superfood’ is thought to be a food that is nutritionally dense and beneficial for one’s health. There is not a set criterion that a food must meet in order to be considered a superfood, however most ‘superfoods’ are plant-based foods. A few fish and dairy products have coined the term as well! Even though the term ‘superfood’ is not a scientific term, consuming foods with the term attached will increase the variety among your diet! These foods contain a variety of nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber.
Some popular Superfoods are:
- Berries: Blueberries, Strawberries, Cranberries, Raspberries
- Dark Leafy greens: Kale, Spinach, Collard Greens
- Legumes: Beans, Lentils, Peas
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, Walnuts, Brazil nuts, Chia seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Flaxseed
- Salmon
- Sweet Potatoes
- Yogurt
And many more!!!
While it is beneficial to our health to incorporate these foods into our diet, it is important to remember variety and that there is no single food that holds the key to good health! We can get caught up in the terminology associated with foods and focus on one ‘superfood’, but our bodies will benefit greatly from a ‘super plate’ versus just one simple ‘superfood’. Try including a couple of these ‘superfoods’ on your plate next time!
Resource: Live Science, Jennifer Leman (2019, March 18th) What are Superfoods? Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/34693-superfoods.html
