SuperfoodsThis section will go over what superfoods are, some important things you should know about them, and the different types.So what makes something a superfood?Is it the amount of vitamins it has? Are they foods containing antioxidants? Or are they foods with lots of fiber? It’s actually a combination of all of them. But for our purposes we will be focusing on the foods high in antioxidants.A “superfood” is technically a marketing term/tool. It’s not really used among dietitians or in the medical community. Nevertheless, a superfood is a term used to describe plant sources (i.e. fruits, vegetables) that have a lot of nutrients and antioxidants. Say what you want about the companies behind the marketing but they have been able to get our attention about these food sources. As a result there is scientific research being done to determine just how beneficial these so-called “superfoods” really are. Something to think about is that the verdict is still out on some of the superfoods mentioned (i.e. acai, mangosteen). Research is being done to get a better understanding of just how much they can improve your health. VarietyI stress the importance of variety in food choices because not only should we eat foods for the health benefits we know about but also for the benefits we still don’t know about yet. By following healthy eating guidelines, you will be including a wide variety of all foods in your diet.A good example of this is tomatoes and lycopene. Lycopene was discovered in tomatoes maybe 5 or so years ago and has been in the spotlight for having many health benefits. I’m sure your parents told you how wonderful tomatoes are (I still have a hard time eating regular tomatoes to this day) and little did they know it would have such a beneficial antioxidant inside! Not all foods are created equally, which is another reason to have a variety of antioxidant rich foods in your diet. But what do you mean not all foods are created equally? For foods containing antioxidants, it’s all relative. It’s like asking which one is healthier: apples or oranges? Neither, because both are very beneficial to have in your diet! I have kept this section specifically regarding the various fruits marketed as “superfoods.” The top antioxidant foods section will list other foods that are great to add to your diet (i.e. oranges, strawberries, raspberries to name a few). The links below go into detail about the different types of superfoods high in antioxidants. I go over what they are, the potential health benefits and rate the importance of adding it to your diet. • Acai Berries From Superfoods to Antioxidants Detective - Home New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
