Superfoods are foods that are thought to be rich in nutrients and exceptionally good for our bodies. They mostly consist of plant based foods with the exception of some fish and dairy products.
According to scientists, there is no set criteria to determine whether a food can be considered a superfood and claims that it is a marketing tactic to help boost sales. With that being said, there is no doubt that these particular superfoods are incredibly dense in nutrients and are extremely healthy to consume. They each provide us with a wealth of vitamins and minerals that nourishes the body and can provide us with energy, glowing skin and a spring in our step!
Superfoods contain a variety of nutrients which varies for each food type. These nutrients can include healthy fats and Omega’s, dietary fibre, antioxidants and proteins.
Superfoods are foods that are thought to be rich in nutrients and exceptionally good for our bodies. They mostly consist of plant based foods with the exception of some fish and dairy products.
Berries – particularly blueberries but also raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, goji berries. Berries are a powerful superfood rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. Fresh, dried, powdered or frozen, berries can be enjoyed in various ways.
Dark leafy greens – Kale, Spinach, Swiss chard, Collard greens. Dark leafy greens are loaded with vitamins such as vitamin A, and C. It is also rich in fibre and other nutrients such as folate, iron and calcium. Try adding to a smoothie to boost the amount of greens in your diet this can be in fresh, frozen or powdered varieties.
Sweet potatoes – Loaded with nutrients such as potassium. These potatoes are rich in fibre along with vitamins A and C. They are highly versatile and can be enjoyed in a number of ways.
Green tea – traditionally used in Asia for natural medicinal properties, this beverage is often used in China for anti-inflammatory purposes. Enjoy 2-3 cups of matcha tea per day in place of regular tea for additional energy.
Nuts & Seeds – all nuts and seeds could be considered superfoods as they are rich in fibre, vegetarian protein and healthy fats that are good for the heart. Most nuts are rich in plant compounds that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Whole, broken, powdered or even in a nut/seed butter – nuts and seeds can be enjoyed in various ways.
Legumes – beans, lentils, pulses, and soya. These high protein, fibre-rich foods are labeled as a superfood as they are dense in nutrients and a rich source of B vitamins – perfect for your main source of protein on a vegan diet.
Kefir – fermented foods such as kefir are rich in probiotics. Probiotics can help improve digestion and can also be associated with anti-inflammatory properties.
Seaweed – this nutrient-rich ingredient is mainly enjoyed in Asian cuisine. Seaweed is rich in iodine, folate, vitamin K and fibre. Add dried seaweed to salads, ramens and soups to boost your nutrition.
Some spices – Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic to name a few. A number of single spices and flavourings can be given the label ‘superfood’ particularly turmeric thanks to the high levels of curcumin, an active compound that has a number of medicinal effects associated with it.
Other – Salmon, eggs, avocado, olive oil. Each is rich in healthy fats and has unique benefits including potassium and B vitamins.
The list of superfoods is not limited to the above. There are a number of foods that provide an exceptional amount of benefits to our health, these are simply a few of the most popular and are easily available in regular supermarkets. However, look beyond these and you will find a whole world of superfoods in powdered form….
What’s better than superfoods?
Superfood powders! Imagine all of the goodness of fresh superfoods but in the form of a powder – amazing! This makes it easier than ever to create healthy recipes rich in nutrients thanks to the versatility of these powders.
Getting all the recommended nutrients into your daily diet can be difficult let’s face it. Superfood powders are formed by grinding nutrient-rich foods into powdered form to make it easier for you to consume. We have a number of superfood powders within our category including blueberry powder, spinach or kale powder, matcha powder, acai berry powder, avocado powder, maca powder, lucuma powder, hemp protein, moringa and chlorella.
Now we know some of the products within this category will be new to you, but don’t be scared! All of these products are easy to add to your daily diet – trust us. And the most important thing to note is each of these products have a long shelf life meaning even when you do not have fresh produce in your house for a morning smoothie, you can reach for your powders or dried varieties and reap the same benefits until you can get your hands on some fresh produce.
How to use superfood powders
Superfoods powders can be used in a number of ways. They can be added to baking and cooking, but the easiest way is to add them to your morning smoothie.
Just a teaspoon of your chosen superfood powder will boost the nutrients in your smoothie, provide you with energy and set you up for the day ahead.
Alternatively you can add to recipes such as savoury spinach muffins or green tortilla wraps for added vitamins and minerals – it’s easy!
How to make healthy smoothies
We have a number of smoothie recipes in our recipe section which can be found here.
To make it easier for you, here are 4 ways you can introduce our favourite superfood powders to your smoothie recipes:
Maca protein smoothie – maca powder, hemp protein powder, cashew milk, frozen banana, fresh spinach
Acai berry smoothie bowl – frozen raspberries, frozen blueberries, acai berry powder, blueberry powder, almond milk, water
Chlorella smoothie bowl – Frozen banana, fresh avocado, cucumber, chlorella powder, hemp seeds, soya milk
Chocolate monkey – Frozen banana, blueberries, cacao powder,avocado powder, flaxseeds, almond butter, almond milk, water
Each of these quick and easy recipes uses both fresh and powdered superfoods to ensure a good amount of nutrients are consumed. Smoothies are easy to prepare and a fantastic way of consuming a number of vitamins and minerals first thing in the morning. Whether you have a thick consistency perfect for a smoothie bowl or you prefer it in a bottle on the go, it is a sure-fire way to set you up for a good day.
How to store superfood powders
Our superfoods come in resealable pouches to ensure freshness. We would recommend storing in a cool dry place away from sunlight as this could affect the product.
Feel free to transfer the contents of the pouch into an airtight glass Kilner jar for ease.
Final note
Superfoods are rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients and consuming them in your daily diet can be beneficial to the functioning of the body on a daily basis. That being said, you should not rely solely on superfoods and superfood powders in particular. Use these powders in addition to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. You can do this by introducing fresh fruit and vegetables in your morning smoothie along with your superfood powder of choice – whizz up and enjoy on the go for a healthy breakfast that will keep you nourished, full and satisfied.
Leave a Reply