I am sure that you have seen many articles, documentaries and advertisements proclaiming the news that Super Foods are what you require to attain a strong healthy body and mind.
There are many incredible supplements on the market that can offer a whole host of benefits to your health, but these often come with a price. Not that the expense is always an unfair one, when a variety of fresh produce is harvested at its nutritional peak, dried at low temperatures and powdered for our convenience.
This does not stop the reality though, that many people can not afford to include pricey supplements in their everyday diets. Never fear, it is possible to stock up on many affordable Super Foods with a single trip to your local vegetable aisle or green grocer.
Ten of our favourites are listed here to help you begin achieving affordable super foods today:
Green Leafy Veg - Green leafy vegetables are readily available and packed with nutrients. Fresh green leafy vegetables contain chlorophyll, proteins, enzymes and an array of vitamins and minerals. They can help to cleanse your kidneys as well as promote a healthy blood flow. Rocket, spinach, kale, watercress, parsley and lettuce are all great leafy greens to stock up on. This Super Food is more like ten in one because your choice is so varied.
Blueberries - Blueberries are power berries, packed with heart loving compounds and the potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Studies suggest that they may even protect us against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Blueberries are a sweet treat to be enjoyed as a snack, or added to smoothies and could be a contender for the top spot in our list.
Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes provide a good dose of fibre, essential for digestive health. They also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. They have a low glycemic index which means that they can help to keep blood sugar levels from spiking, and therefore release their energy slowly.
Broccoli - Broccoli is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber and contains phytochemicals called glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. UK scientists have uncovered the ingredient in broccoli which helps to fight prostate cancer. Researchers believe a chemical called sulforaphane in broccoli works with cells which lack an anti-tumor gene to fight prostate cancer.
Pumpkin - According to Steve Pratt, MD, author of SuperFoods Healthstyle, "Pumpkin is one of the highest sources of alpha-carotene, a powerful member of the carotenoid family that's inversely related to cataract formation and boosts immunity.” This is particularly true of raw pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds are a also a good source of protein and fibre, and a variety of useful minerals, so tuck in!
Avocado Pear - Avocados are an amazing source of healthy fat. They are packed with around 20 essential nutrients, including potassium, Vitamin E and Folic acid. Avocados can also help your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as Vitamin D.
Apples - An apple a day keeps the doctor away - so the rhyme says! Apples can really be considered a Super Food as studies suggest that they can lower cholesterol to fight heart disease, which is a major killer of adults in the Western World.
Bell Peppers - Bell peppers are the rainbow on our list of Super Foods. No matter which colour you choose you will find a boost of antioxidants just waiting to neutralise free radicals in your body, reducing inflammation that leads to chronic disease. They are also packed with vitamins to give you a real boost!
Carrots - Carrots are famed to help us to see in the dark because of their eye health boosting vitamin A rich content. Also, carrots are full of many other essential to life vitamins and minerals, and only contain a tiny number of calories. They are also a great source of fibre and can help to lower cholesterol preventing heart disease.
Tomatoes - Tomatoes are a humble vegetable, which is why you may have overlooked them when shopping for your Super Foods. They provide us with Vitamins A, B6, C, and K (needed to absorb both calcium and manufacture vitamin D), as well as magnesium, phosphorus, copper, niacin, folate, and potassium. They are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, which make skin less sensitive to UV rays, and therefore slows down the ageing effects of the sun. The lycopene is also known to help prevent some forms of cancer from developing. They are truly an antioxidant powerhouse!
Now that you know how easy it is to stock up on affordable Super Foods hiding in your supermarket, you have no excuse to be left behind! Go and fill your belly with these delicious nutritious treats that have been hiding in your vegetable aisle all along.
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