Health-conscious people like us are curious to know which foods are best for health and wellness. It is obvious that all foods can't be equally good for health. Among the numerous types of foods available to us, a few of the commonly used foods are truly outstanding as they are extremely beneficial to health in multiple ways. How do you figure out then which foods should be included in your grocery list?
In the recent times, many of the diet experts have begun to classify certain foods as "superfoods". Interestingly, there are no standardized rules to find which foods are superior foods. However, the nutritional value is obviously the best criteria for categorizing few foods as superfoods.
What Are Superfoods?
We sometimes wonder what are superfoods; initially, we almost misunderstood them to be some health or energy boosting supplements. They are few of the common and ordinary foods we eat.
They also contain a good number of beneficial antioxidants and medicinal properties that can improve our health in many ways. These health foods have a high number of nutrients with relatively lower calories, and they rank low on the glycemic index (low sugar).
Kale And Other Cruciferous Veggies
All cruciferous veggies are nutritious and healthy foods that we can eat. The king of cruciferous veggies is the Kale. Kale is all the better for people on a weight loss diet as 100 grams of this veggie contains only 10-gram carbs and 50 calories.
As for vitamins and minerals, one full serving of Kale covers more than required daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin K1, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. It also has a decent amount of calcium and potassium. Kale is also rich in all important bioactive compounds like Indole-3-Carbinol and Sulforaphane, which are good for fighting cancer.
Avocado
Avocado is one of an excellent superfood; nutritious, delicious, and energy-boosting fruit. The good fats and nutrients found in avocado includes lutein, oleic acid, folate, mono-unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and glutathione that are good for the heart. They also help in preventing diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and degenerative eye problem.
Blueberries
Blueberry is known as the king of all berries for its delicious taste with good nutritional worth. Blueberries are highly valued for the finest natural antioxidants found in it, and it ranks among the top foods on the ORAC value (antioxidant value of the food).
Garlic
Garlic is a commonly used as spice in food preparations. But, it is also a good mouth refresher that keeps the bad breath away. The bioactive compounds found in the garlic are good for health, especially the therapeutic effect of preventing certain diseases.
The antibacterial and anti-fungal assets in garlic improve the immune health system of the body and prevent common diseases caused by bacterial and fungal infections.
Liver And Other Animal Organ Foods
Most of us love to eat lean meat found in beef, chicken, mutton, etc. We do not normally like to eat the animal organs such as liver, brain, kidneys, bone marrow and heart. Actually by avoiding the animal organs, missed out the most nutritious food from the animal. It is healthy to eat approximately 5 ounces of liver per week; at least one meal in a week with the liver.
Eggs
Egg yolks are normally glowered upon since it was known to contain cholesterol. But, the little cholesterol content in egg yolks is not at all a big threat to health. The egg yolk is a rich source of many healthy nutrients and the egg-white is rich in protein.
The cholesterol fearing factor related with egg-yolks is an exaggerated information and uninformed lie spread by health experts since few decades. Some of the recent studies' results suggest that egg yolks do NOT have any impact on blood cholesterol. It does not cause any diseases or harm on heart health.
Coconut Oil
Most people have very little knowledge about the best to use. Regrettably, most of the commonly used cooking oils are bad for health.
There is a wrong view that all saturated fats are bad for health. It is not true. Recent studies have proven that saturated fats with medium length of fatty acids known as Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are good for our health.
Seaweed
Seaweeds are pretty a rare food. This food from the sea and has many exceptional health benefits. Seaweeds contain a high-quality iodine that is extremely helpful for the thyroid health. Many health issues, especially in woman, are caused by the unhealthy functioning of thyroid glands and hormones.
Hypothyroidism is a common disease that is caused by iodine deficiency. Hypothyroidism can lead to obesity, fatigue, poor mental health, and other degenerative diseases. Having seaweeds twice or thrice a week as part of your diet could help you to meet the iodine rations of the body.
The sea grown weeds or vegetables also cover a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids which is vital for healthy heart and brain. Besides iodine, seaweeds also contain minerals like zinc, potassium, and iron.
Salmon
The salmon is a fatty fish and the fat in them are mostly the Omega-3 fatty acids that are very significant for good health. The healthiest Omega 3 fatty acids and best quality is from fish like salmon. This fish also contains good nutrients and finest quality proteins. Nutrients like Potassium, Selenium, Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B12 are present in a good amount in this fish. Bigbluetest reviews some of the popular fish oil brands.
Fish Oil (Cod Liver Oil)
People who do not eat fish like salmon, tuna, sardine, etc. would lack Omega-3 fatty acids that is essential for the body. Fish oil also delivers Vitamin D3 required for the body. It is good to have one tablespoon of fish oil every day, and it will meet the daily requirements of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D3 of the body. Fish oil is also a good source for Vitamin A; one tablespoon of it supplies 13500 IU or almost triple the RDA needs.
The Essential Point - Superfoods Are Life-Savers!
Superfoods are nutrient livewires that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. They have life-saving effects as they contain some of the essential nutrients and antioxidants not often found in other foods.
A healthy diet covering a variety of so-called 'superfoods' will help you maintain your weight, fight degenerative diseases, and live life longer.
