The term superfood used to actually mean something. Nowadays, the term’s pretty superficial, with people calling anything from bananas to broccoli superfoods.
Don’t get me wrong, bananas and broccoli are great. But the word superfood is supposed to be used to describe foods that are far above the nutritional average. Things like goji berries, with their absurd amount of vitamin C, or chia seeds, which are an incredibly dense source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, are truly superfoods.
In this article, we’re going to talk about a few of the best true superfoods and give you some tips on how to incorporate them into your meal plan.
Maca Root
Maca root is a delicious, sweet, and slightly nutty root vegetable that grows in the highlands of Peru. It’s a highly potent superfood – so powerful, in fact, that during the Incan empire it was reserved solely for royalty and for the empire’s warriors.
Maca isa great source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and complete protein. It functions as an adaptogen and helps the body find balance and boost immunity.
Maca can easily be added to smoothies. You can also put a teaspoon in your morning oatmeal to sweeten it up and add some depth.
Cacao
Known as the Food of the Gods in the areas where it grows, cacao is one of the greatest superfoods around. Unfortunately, by the most cacao makes it to shelves in the form of chocolate, it’s been processed, roasted, processed again, and lost most of its healthy properties.
Raw cacao powder is a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a neat little compound called theobromine. Theobromine is a stimulant and an empathogen and helps you feel connected to the world and people around you.
Cacao powder can be added to oatmeal, and you can make hot chocolate with it. It also goes great in smoothies.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a nutritionally dense type of algae that’s rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Add it to your smoothies or, if you can stomach the taste, mix it as a shot and slam it back.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a complete source of protein and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Chia seeds can easily be implemented into your morning diet plan. They’re a fantastic addition to smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, and juices. You can make chia seed putting, and they can be used as a vegan replacement for eggs.
Hemp
The two main culinary products derived from hemp are hemp seeds and hemp oil. Both of these are incredibly healthy for you.
Hemp seeds are loaded with vitamin E, potassium, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. They’re also one of the best sources of protein a vegan will ever find. They also, of course, contain hemp seed oil which contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
The extracted oil retains most of the fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin E.
Hemp seeds can be eaten raw or added to salads, yogurt, oatmeal, baked goods, or anything else you can think of.
Conclusion
This article describes some of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet. These foods are true superfoods, and if you add them to your diet you’ll feel better every day.
Written by Nigel Ford
