Superfoods: their secrets and their powers
Incorporating superfoods into your daily diet can be an effective way of optimising your health and well-being. Find out in this article what superfoods are, their benefits and how to include them in your everyday menus.
What are superfoods?
Superfoods are natural foods characterised by their exceptional nutritional density. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds. These foods are often associated with numerous benefits, such as boosting the immune system, improving digestion and even promoting healthy skin.
Superfoods have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a growing demand for natural nutritional solutions and wellness-oriented eating habits. Many of us are looking for ways to boost our immune systems, maintain increased vitality and prevent disease. If you can get some of these benefits from tweaking your diet, what's not to love?
As a result, supermarket shelves and restaurant menus are brimming with these superfoods, a testament to their growing popularity.
It's important to remember, however, that these foods are not miracle cures capable of protecting us from all illnesses, and permanently fighting off colds. They need to be combined with a healthy lifestyle and a healthy, varied diet inline with daily calorie recommendations.
The benefits of superfoods
Superfoods are packed with health benefits that make them nutritional gems. The anti-inflammatory properties of many superfoods reduce the risk of various ailments, while others, rich in fibre, improve digestion and help regulate weight. Certain superfoods, such as chia seeds and quinoa, offer a source of essential plant proteins, while berries, such as bilberries and goji berries, provide an extra dose of antioxidants. In short, incorporating superfoods into your diet contributes to better overall health and well-being, by providing a wealth of essential nutrients.
Top tips:
To take full advantage of the benefits of these foods, it can help to meal prep. Plus remember, a lot of nutrients can be stored in the skin, so eat your seasonal fruits and veggies whole where possible.
Example superfoods
Superfoods are often wrongly associated with very exotic products, but many superfoods can be found right here in Switzerland! Here's a list of superfoods that are both exotic and local.
1. Superfoods to help immunity:
- Thyme
- Green tea
- Spirulina
- Goji berries
2. Antioxidant superfoods:
- Cranberries
- Turmeric
- Acai berries
- Black cherries
- Blueberries and bilberries
- Cloves
3. Superfoods for cardiovascular health:
4. Superfoods for energy and vitality:
- Cocoa
- Maca and ginseng
- Guarana
- Rooibos tea
- Hemp seeds
- Cordyceps
5. Weight loss and digestion:
- Artichoke
- Chia seeds
- Carob seeds
- Kombucha (drink)
- Cinnamon
6. Blood sugar regulation:
- Chinese cabbage
- Spinach
- Coconut oil
Obviously, each superfood has more than one benefit, and there are many other superfoods that could be added to this list.
How can you incorporate superfoods into your diet?
Incorporating superfoods into your daily diet may be easier than you think. First of all, it's essential to diversify your diet by including a variety of superfoods. Adding antioxidant-rich berries to your breakfast, such as blueberries to your yoghurt or goji berries to your cereal, is a great place to start. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach or kale, can be incorporated into salads or smoothies. Chia or flax seeds can easily be mixed into drinks or cereals for extra fibre and omega-3.
3 meal ideas using superfoods
1. Chicken with Spinach and Avocado: Prepare a grilled chicken breast seasoned with fresh herbs. Serve on a bed of fresh spinach and garnish with sliced avocado. The avocado provides healthy fats, while the spinach is rich in essential nutrients. You can accompany this dish with brown rice for a nourishing and healthy meal.
2. Blueberry and Chia Smoothie: In a blender, combine frozen blueberries, plain yoghurt, almond milk and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Blend until smooth. The blueberries provide antioxidants, while the chia seeds offer fibre, protein and omega-3s, making this smoothie a nutritious breakfast or snack.
3. Beetroot risotto: Beetroot risotto is a delicious and colourful option for superfood lovers. This culinary creation combines the creaminess of a classic risotto with the earthy sweetness of beetroot. To prepare it, the beetroot is roasted and blended to form a purée, which is then mixed with the rice as it cooks. Thyme and gorgonzola cheese are added for extra flavour. The result is a dish that is both rich and nutritious, offering an explosion of colour and flavour. Beetroot is an excellent source of antioxidants, fibre and vitamins, while thyme is known to aid digestion.
About Powermeals
You'll find beetroot risotto and many other dishes packed with superfoods at Powermeals. All you have to do is heat them up and enjoy!
