What is a superfood?
Superfoods have been gaining popularity for years now, especially amongst those
focused on healthy eating, and with good reason, but the term itself is often
misunderstood. When people hear the term superfood it can often be associated with
fads and faux science, but in reality it just means a food that contains an abundance
of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various other beneficial
compounds.
This article will focus on the best superfoods you can find in whole food shops,
allowing you to focus on making the healthiest choices, without breaking the bank,
while supporting independent, environmentally friendly businesses.
1. Almonds
Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat, and an amazing superfood in
general. Almonds contain a huge amount of vitamin E, which as well as being an
antioxidant, also helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes while also boosting the
immune system. On top of their remarkable vitamin E content, almonds are also
packed full of healthy fats, fibre and protein.
Almonds are not only incredibly healthy, but also delicious and easy to use! Whether
you’re looking for a quick snack on the go, or a standout ingredient to use in your
baking, with their distinctive, subtle sweet flavour, almonds really are the perfect
choice. If you’re looking for even more uses for almonds, we recommend this
overnight oats recipe to really get the most out of them.
2. Quinoa.
Originating from South America, quinoa has been grown for thousands of years, but
it only seems to be getting more and more popular. One of the reasons quinoa is such
an amazing superfood is that it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all
nine essential amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. This can be
Superfoods have been gaining popularity for years now, especially amongst those
focused on healthy eating, and with good reason, but the term itself is often
misunderstood. When people hear the term superfood it can often be associated with
fads and faux science, but in reality it just means a food that contains an abundance
of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various other beneficial
compounds.
This article will focus on the best superfoods you can find in whole food shops,
allowing you to focus on making the healthiest choices, without breaking the bank,
while supporting independent, environmentally friendly businesses.
1. Almonds
Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat, and an amazing superfood in
general. Almonds contain a huge amount of vitamin E, which as well as being an
antioxidant, also helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes while also boosting the
immune system. On top of their remarkable vitamin E content, almonds are also
packed full of healthy fats, fibre and protein.
Almonds are not only incredibly healthy, but also delicious and easy to use! Whether
you’re looking for a quick snack on the go, or a standout ingredient to use in your
baking, with their distinctive, subtle sweet flavour, almonds really are the perfect
choice. If you’re looking for even more uses for almonds, we recommend this
overnight oats recipe to really get the most out of them.
2. Quinoa.
Originating from South America, quinoa has been grown for thousands of years, but
it only seems to be getting more and more popular. One of the reasons quinoa is such
an amazing superfood is that it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all
nine essential amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. This can be
particularly important for those on plant based diets, as some of these amino acids,
like lysine can be incredibly hard to find in plants.
Not only is quinoa an amazing source of protein, iron, and fibre, it also has strong
anti-inflammatory properties that make it truly unique when compared to other
grains like rice or couscous.
Quinoa can seem a little intimidating to those who haven’t cooked with it before, but
once you start cooking with it you’ll find it hard to stop. For a delicious light
summertime salad, we recommend this Quinoa & Pistachio salad recipe.
3. Goji Berries.
Goji berries are small, sweet red berries originating from South Asia, but their
popularity has reached global proportions in recent years, mainly due to their status
as a superfood. One of the reasons goji berries are considered a superfood is because
of their astounding vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) content.
Vitamin C is incredibly important, as it maintains the skin, bones, cartilage, and even
our blood vessels, while also helping our bodies recover from wounds. A lack of
vitamin C is the primary cause of scurvy, so it’s a good job that goji berries contain a
whopping 48g of vitamin C per 100g serving!
While goji berries can be enjoyed as a snack straight from the packet, they can also be
an amazing ingredient in baking, or a way to give your smoothies and milkshakes a
healthy boost!
4. Matcha and green tea.
Matcha and green tea both come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis, but each goes
through different processes to make two very different final products, each with its
own health benefits. The main difference in the preparation of matcha vs green tea,
is that green tea leaves are steeped and discarded, whereas matcha makes use of the
entire leaf, ultimately providing a more concentrated dose of nutrients. Both matcha
and green tea are packed full of antioxidants, in particular, matcha contains a large
amount of catechins, a type of antioxidant renowned for its anti-inflammatory
effects. Alongside containing more nutrients than green tea, matcha also contains
significantly more caffeine, providing a powerful energy boost, whereas green tea
provides a more gentle buzz that may be better when you’re trying to focus without
getting the jitters.
Matcha and green tea also have different uses, as obviously, both can be brewed and
drunk, but matcha can also be used in cooking and baking. When shopping for
matcha, particularly in whole food shops, there will be a variety of options, ceremonial
or premium matcha is best for drinking in teas or lattes, whereas culinary is ideal to
use in baking without breaking the bank.
like lysine can be incredibly hard to find in plants.
Not only is quinoa an amazing source of protein, iron, and fibre, it also has strong
anti-inflammatory properties that make it truly unique when compared to other
grains like rice or couscous.
Quinoa can seem a little intimidating to those who haven’t cooked with it before, but
once you start cooking with it you’ll find it hard to stop. For a delicious light
summertime salad, we recommend this Quinoa & Pistachio salad recipe.
3. Goji Berries.
Goji berries are small, sweet red berries originating from South Asia, but their
popularity has reached global proportions in recent years, mainly due to their status
as a superfood. One of the reasons goji berries are considered a superfood is because
of their astounding vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) content.
Vitamin C is incredibly important, as it maintains the skin, bones, cartilage, and even
our blood vessels, while also helping our bodies recover from wounds. A lack of
vitamin C is the primary cause of scurvy, so it’s a good job that goji berries contain a
whopping 48g of vitamin C per 100g serving!
While goji berries can be enjoyed as a snack straight from the packet, they can also be
an amazing ingredient in baking, or a way to give your smoothies and milkshakes a
healthy boost!
4. Matcha and green tea.
Matcha and green tea both come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis, but each goes
through different processes to make two very different final products, each with its
own health benefits. The main difference in the preparation of matcha vs green tea,
is that green tea leaves are steeped and discarded, whereas matcha makes use of the
entire leaf, ultimately providing a more concentrated dose of nutrients. Both matcha
and green tea are packed full of antioxidants, in particular, matcha contains a large
amount of catechins, a type of antioxidant renowned for its anti-inflammatory
effects. Alongside containing more nutrients than green tea, matcha also contains
significantly more caffeine, providing a powerful energy boost, whereas green tea
provides a more gentle buzz that may be better when you’re trying to focus without
getting the jitters.
Matcha and green tea also have different uses, as obviously, both can be brewed and
drunk, but matcha can also be used in cooking and baking. When shopping for
matcha, particularly in whole food shops, there will be a variety of options, ceremonial
or premium matcha is best for drinking in teas or lattes, whereas culinary is ideal to
use in baking without breaking the bank.
5. Chia seeds.
Chia seeds are one of the oldest superfoods in the world, a part of the mint family,
originating in South America and dating all the way back to the Aztec Empire. Like
quinoa, chia seeds are a complete protein, which already establishes them as an
amazing superfood, but where they really shine is in their high fibre content. On
average, chia seeds provide roughly 10 grams of dietary fibre per two tablespoons,
making them one of the most fibrous superfoods you can include in your diet!
The high fibre content of chia seeds makes them exceptionally well suited to
improving digestion and heart health. Not only do chia seeds help to reduce the bad
cholesterol in our body, but they also increase the amount of healthy cholesterol we need
to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Chia seeds can seem a little complex to use at first, but they are actually remarkably
easy to incorporate into your diet! The best place to begin is to figure out which
texture you would like your chia seeds to be, if you want to add a crunch to a salad
then simply sprinkle them on top, if you’re looking to bulk out a smoothie or shake
then simply soak them beforehand!
Get into the amazing world of superfoods. It’s never been easier!
The incredible benefits of the superfoods we’ve mentioned here should already have
you reaching for a shopping basket, and thankfully, it’s never been easier. Gone are
the days of having to search high and low in supermarkets for the healthy option, by
shopping for superfoods at a whole food shop, you can not only discover countless
healthy options, but do so at a fraction of the price. There are too many superfoods to
discuss in one article, so don’t be afraid to experiment with ones we haven’t
mentioned, and in no time, your pantry will be looking healthier than it ever has
before. If you’re not sure where to begin, we have an entire section dedicated to
delicious, affordable superfoods, available here.
Chia seeds are one of the oldest superfoods in the world, a part of the mint family,
originating in South America and dating all the way back to the Aztec Empire. Like
quinoa, chia seeds are a complete protein, which already establishes them as an
amazing superfood, but where they really shine is in their high fibre content. On
average, chia seeds provide roughly 10 grams of dietary fibre per two tablespoons,
making them one of the most fibrous superfoods you can include in your diet!
The high fibre content of chia seeds makes them exceptionally well suited to
improving digestion and heart health. Not only do chia seeds help to reduce the bad
cholesterol in our body, but they also increase the amount of healthy cholesterol we need
to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Chia seeds can seem a little complex to use at first, but they are actually remarkably
easy to incorporate into your diet! The best place to begin is to figure out which
texture you would like your chia seeds to be, if you want to add a crunch to a salad
then simply sprinkle them on top, if you’re looking to bulk out a smoothie or shake
then simply soak them beforehand!
Get into the amazing world of superfoods. It’s never been easier!
The incredible benefits of the superfoods we’ve mentioned here should already have
you reaching for a shopping basket, and thankfully, it’s never been easier. Gone are
the days of having to search high and low in supermarkets for the healthy option, by
shopping for superfoods at a whole food shop, you can not only discover countless
healthy options, but do so at a fraction of the price. There are too many superfoods to
discuss in one article, so don’t be afraid to experiment with ones we haven’t
mentioned, and in no time, your pantry will be looking healthier than it ever has
before. If you’re not sure where to begin, we have an entire section dedicated to
delicious, affordable superfoods, available here.
