Nope, they're not faster than a speeding bullet and they can't scale the side of a high rise building with their bare hands... They're foods that just just that - super!
They're packed full of beneficial properties and they're a must for every person to ensure we live a long healthy life.
Below are some of my favourites:
Flaxseeds
Also called linseeds, this little miracle seed is rich in both fibre and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a building block of omega-3's.
Flaxseeds come in either seed or liquid oil form. The liquid oil is kept in the fridge and is great added to salads or into smoothies. It should not be cooked so make sure you don't use it the way you use olive oil.
If you are using the whole seeds you can either have them as is or grind them and add to cereals, porridge, fruit or yoghurt.
If you do grind the seeds try to do so on an as-use basis as they can go rancid quickly if you don't use them within the first day or 2 of grinding.
Flaxseeds have a great nutty taste and are easy to add into your daily diet!
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are relatively unknown to many, yet if we go all the way back to 3500 BC they were a staple part of the diet of the Aztecs and Mayans! They're funny looking little things that are the highest plant based source of Omega-3, protein and dietary fibre. Not only this but they are also a high source of calcium - containing over 6 times more of it than milk!
You will find them in your health food store and they come in both black and white seeds.
So which colour is better you ask?
Well basically they both have the same nutritional value so there's really no difference in which colour you go for.
I tablespoon a day is all you need. Add them to yoghurt, porridge, smoothies or when baking muffins, bread etc.
These little babies can carry up to 10 times their own weight in water so make sure you drink plenty of water if adding these to your diet.
Blueberries
Little balls of sweetness, blueberries are not only an excellent source of vitamin c and fibre but they also have wonderful antioxidant properties which help neutralise harmful by-products called 'free radicals' that can lead to cancer and other age-related diseases.
Best of all though they taste brilliant! I like to have them on porridge, in smoothies, on cereal, or with a little yoghurt and ground flaxseed.
Yoghurt
Full of calcium, protein and active live cultures, yoghurt has more to it than meets the eye.
Live cultures act as good bacteria to help promote good digestive health, preventing bad bacteria from causing infections and diseases.
Most importantly, when you take antibiotics you are destroying the good bacteria present in your body so by eating yoghurt you are adding them back into your body, helping it return to a healthy state.
Eggs
So everyone knows eggs are packed with protein. Protein promotes healthy muscles, skin, hair and nails. It is the building block of any living organism.
A diet high in protein is a great way to maintain a healthy weight and give you the energy to get through your day. My tip is to try to add protein to every meal (where possible) - this will encourage preserved muscle mass and fat burning while keeping you nice and full.
One egg contains 6 grams of protein and all 9 essential amino acids - the building blocks of protein.
And did you know, contrary to previous belief recent studies show that moderate consumption of eggs does not in fact have a negative impact on people's cholesterol!
Quinoa
Ok, so many of you may have never heard of this magical little seed but believe me, this one's a goodie!
Quinoa (pronounced 'keen-wah') is well known to those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease as it's gluten free.
It's readily available in supermarkets (check the health food section) and when cooked it looks kinda like a cross between couscous and rice.
It's high in protein and so versatile.
In my attempt to change to a gluten-free lifestyle I am stoked I came across this little gem!
Simply give it a good rinse before you use it (a fine strainer under running water is fine for this) and then cook it like rice - for every cup of quinoa add 2 cups of water.
It's great as a porridge/muesli type concoction (add yoghurt, blueberries, banana, chia seeds or ground flaxseeds and a little raw honey) or for lunch with some roasted pumpkin, pinenuts, snow peas, corn, pesto etc... mmmmm... delish!
So these are just a few of my fave superfoods that I try to add into my daily diet but there are so many more! Almonds, green leafy veggies, goji berries, raw honey, oats... and the list goes on...
What are your favourite superfoods?
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