The Super Foods

By Author: Caley Van Cleave
Total Articles: 4762
Comment this article

Not so much food with unearthly powers as simple food products with supreme dietary benefits, the "super foods," as they've been deemed by nutrition experts, are a group of select foods that you can eat every day and instantly improve your nutritional outlook. Whether favored for their antioxidant powers or their lean yet nutritionally rich properties, the list of super foods is varied and readily available in any grocery store. Incorporate these foods into your diet and you may just notice a marked improvement in your overall health and sense of well being.

Highly nutritious and surprisingly flavorful, many of the super foods can simply be eaten fresh or incorporated into a vast array of recipes. While there is no official list, many nutritionists and health experts widely agree on several food types that top the nutritional charts. Adopting just a few of these foods into your diet can have an incredibly positive impact on your health.

Fruits and vegetables top the list of super foods but not just any fruit or vegetable. The consensus on the best of the best is clear. Blueberries, tomatoes, oranges, pumpkin, ...
... spinach and broccoli are definite super food chart toppers. Blueberries have proven antioxidant properties, are an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, and work as a natural anti-inflammatory. Plus, they taste great. Oranges, tomatoes, and pumpkin round out the super food fruits but you can also look for pomegranates, avocados and kiwi. When shopping for fruit, keep in mind that the darker, richer colors pack a bigger nutritional punch than their lighter-colored counterparts. When your favorite fruit is not in season, buy frozen or canned.

As far as vegetable super foods, broccoli and spinach are best. These green vegetables are under-appreciated and often the source of unnecessary contempt, yet they provide a wealth of nutrients in exchange for little caloric intake. Exchanging iceberg lettuce for spinach in a salad is the dietary equivalent of trading a penny for a $100 bill. Spinach is rich in iron and vitamin K, and contains carotenoids, antioxidants, and a host of other nutrients. Throw in a bit of fresh, chopped broccoli and you'll have one super salad.

No diet would be complete without protein but many protein sources, especially red meat, are high in fat. Sadly, one of the best sources of lean protein is overlooked 364 days of the year. Turkey makes nearly every nutritionist's list of super foods for its lean meat protein and its niacin and vitamin B6 and B12 content. You can easily reap the nutritional benefits of turkey by incorporating it into your regular diet instead of saving it only for Thanksgiving.

Other excellent sources of protein and highly rated super foods are beans. Part of the legume class of foods, beans are inexpensive and provide not just protein but fiber as well. Simply replacing one meat dish with beans is an easy way to get the protein and fiber you need and can even save you money on your monthly grocery bill.

Yet another meat alternative that tops the list of super foods is fish. Fish is a great source of Omega-3 fat, a good-for-you and essential fatty acid that is not produced naturally by the body. Omega-3 fats are proven to help ward off certain diseases and salmon is one of the best sources of these fats. Shop for wild salmon that is freshly caught, not farmed. Other fish that foot the bill include herring and mackerel. If you are allergic to seafood, flaxseed and walnuts are good sources of Omega-3 fats or you can look for supplements.

One of the most surprising super foods to make the cut is one of the most pleasant to contemplate. Dark chocolate, or chocolate that is at least 60 percent cocoa, contains antioxidants. Dark chocolate is lower in fat and sugar than its milk chocolate counterpart and can be grated over yogurt, melted for a tasty fruit dip, or simply eaten by the square. Nothing says super food like a sweet treat that's good for you.

Though this is not an exhaustive list of nutrition rich foods, these foods are all highly valued by health experts. Many experts adopt their own inclusions on their list of super foods. Incorporating these foods into your regular diet is a surefire way to improve your health, balance your diet, and make you feel better about what you eat.
About Author:
At FeelGoodNow.com we connect you with evidence-based information from licensed and accredited practitioners dedicated to treating the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. If you're looking for natural medicine or information on traditional, integrative, or complementary and alternative medicine, visit FeelGoodNow.com and you'll find valuable resources for your health and wellness.