As a teen who hated my weight, I was more into low-calorie food than healthy food.
Unfortunately, they were usually one and the same.
So I ate healthy to lose weight, but that was the ONLY reason.
Do you ever do that?
Eat whatever you like when you’re happy with how you look…
Then begrudgingly switch to healthier options when your jeans get tight?
Ironically, weight loss isn’t the only reason to eat healthy food—or even the best one.
You eat healthy food because you want to be healthy.
And sometimes that means eating foods that are even higher in calories than normal.
Like avocado. Coconut oil. Almonds.
Foods that would freak out folks on a low-fat diet.
Eating healthy doesn’t always lead to weight loss. But what it always leads to is a healthier body.
As an adult, I’ve learned that my body wants fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and high-quality protein. It’s not so keen on McDonald’s, pastries, candy bars, and venti-sized white chocolate mochas.
So I’ve got better at eating for health, not weight loss.
But I hadn’t really gone to the next level until recently, when I dipped my toes into the sea of superfoods…
Foods that pack a MEGA nutritional punch.
You don’t eat these foods because they taste good. You don’t eat them because they’re low in calories. You eat them for just one crazy reason:
To feed your body.
Let me ask you something. Do you take vitamins?
If so, why?
In case your diet doesn’t provide adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, right?
But research has consistently shown that whole-food sources of vitamins and minerals are way better than supplements.
According to Dr. William Kormos of Massachusetts General Hospital:
The studies of taking vitamins to prevent disease have been largely disappointing. It does not appear that a multivitamin can replace a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables.” [1]
What if there was a way to get the nutrients you needed in whole-food form, without having to add a lot of extra food to your diet?
That’s where superfoods come in.
Although the term “superfood” gets thrown around loosely, superfoods in general are fruits, vegetables, nuts or seeds that are incredibly nutrient dense, which means you don’t have to eat as much of them to get the same benefit.
That’s doesn’t mean they’re low-calorie, though. They’re not weight loss tools as much as nutritional powerhouses. You eat them to give your body a boost, not to starve it.
Which superfoods belong in your diet?
There are a ton to choose from, but here are 5 of my favorites.
Acai berry
Available as a dark red or purple powder, acai berry is richer in antioxidants than most berries. It comes from acai palm tree, native to the Amazon. Add a small spoonful to yogurt or a smoothie, and it may even help your memory.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are a great source of Omega 3s, antioxidants and fiber. It’s said that the Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them endurance. Luckily, these little seeds go in anything. For example, if you’re having a bowl of cereal for breakfast, pour your milk in first and add a scoop of chia seeds. Let it sit until the chia seeds have plumped up—at least 10 minutes—then add your cereal on top. You can also make super-digestible chia gel by soaking 1½ Tbsp chia seeds in a cup of water, then leaving it in the fridge for half an hour.
Goji berries
This is one of my favorite superfoods. These tough, dry red berries make a mouthful if you eat them on their own, but toss a handful in with trail mix—or, better yet, coat them in dark chocolate—and they become a decadent treat. They’re sour, like cranberries, and make your smoothie a gorgeous red color. Goji berries are high in protein and antioxidants, and they help stabilize blood sugar and protect eye health.
Maca root
Available as a tan-colored powder, maca root makes a delicious addition to any recipe that complements its butterscotch flavor. Throw it in pancake batter, or whisk it into hot chocolate. It’s reputed to improve energy and stamina as well as libido, giving it the nickname of “Peruvian ginseng.”
Raw cacao
If you’re a chocoholic, but the extra sugar and milk solids in traditional chocolate are a no-no, then raw cacao nibs are a treat you’ll reach for again and again. The bitterness may surprise you if you’re not expecting it. Some say that raw cacao nibs taste like bark, which is why it’s best to add them to recipes rather than eat them on their own. Raw cacao also comes in powdered form, which makes a delicious hot chocolate or chocolate smoothie.
That’s just scratching the surface of the weird and wonderful superfoods available. They’re not cheap, and sourcing them can take some work, but they’re worth it. As whole-food sources of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they’ll do more for your body than a handful of supplements.
After all, isn’t that why we eat?
To nourish our body, rather than starve it?
[1] https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/assets/Sites/Longwood_Seminars/Nutrition_3_5_13.pdf
Let us know what you think!