In the eternal quest for optimal health, diet is one of the critical factors you can influence. You are, quite literally what you eat. Your body takes on nutrients from the foods you eat to fuel itself and to build & repair cells. The more nutrient-dense foods you’re consuming, the more tools your body has at its disposal, the better chance you have of good health.
The key is to find the foods that pack in the nutrients you need while also staying within your daily caloric allowance. You don’t want to go piling on weight in pursuit of a complete nutrient profile from your diet. This is where the superfood steps in. Superfoods are foods that are incredibly nutrient-dense and also lower calorie. They’re indisposable tools in your arsenal. Here we take a look at some of the best superfoods you can add to your diet. Please note, it is essential to identify any allergies before introducing a new food to your diet. You can do this with an allergy test.
Blueberries
King of the antioxidants, blueberries are jam-packed with nutrients that produce incredible health benefits. Antioxidants are your bodies weapon in the battle against oxidative damage. Free-radicals cause oxidative damage in the body which steal electrons from cells to restore their balance. This leads to cell degradation, which is a critical factor in the aging process. Antioxidants remove free radicals from the body, which helps slow the aging process. Oxidative damage is also linked with heart disease and cancer, which gives an added reason to introduce blueberries into your diet. They’re also high in fibre which helps maintain digestive health.
Spinach
Popeye was always quick to reach for a can of this leafy green vegetable when he needed a quick boost of strength and for an excellent reason. Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, Folic Acid, Iron and Calcium. As a result, spinach helps improve immune function, skin health, oxygen circulation and bone health. Much like blueberries, spinach is a fantastic source of antioxidants which bestows it with the health benefits associated. The plant compounds found in spinach also help reduce your risk of cancer, promote heart health and reduce inflammation.
Green Tea
Switching out one of your morning coffees or afternoon English breakfast teas for a green tea can introduce you to a wide range of health benefits. As with our previous two superfoods, green tea is rich in antioxidants, bringing with it the associated health benefits. 30% of green tea is made up of polyphenols which are a vital antioxidant. Green tea supplementation is popular in the weight loss world due to the fact it has been shown to increase fat burning and boost metabolic rates.
Eggs
Scrambled, boiled, poached, fried, omelette. There seems to be an endless list of ways to prepare eggs, each as delicious as the one before. But we’re looking at foods for their health benefits so, time to focus! Historically, nutritional advice has said to prioritise the white of the egg and limit the amount of yolk you eat. However, the yolk is equally nutritionally beneficial. The white of the egg contains over half of the protein content, vitamin b2, vitamin D, zinc, iron and copper. The egg contains the fat and helps support the absorption of the vitamins. Eggs are considered a complete protein as they contain all 9 of the essential amino acids. Not many people know that it is possible to have an allergy to eggs. The best way to find out is with an allergy test.
Avocado
Truly the most millennial of foods in many eyes, the avocado has become incredibly popular in cafes and restaurants around the world. This is not just down to the taste, because avocados are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids.Omega-3 fatty acids support vitamin absorption, immune system health and skin health. Avocados are also packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin b6, riboflavin, folates, magnesium and potassium.
Before introducing any new foods into your diet, it is vital to take an allergy test. By taking an allergy test, you can identify the foods that could potentially cause you adverse health outcomes. You can find an allergy test to suit your budget here.
