What are the Best Superfoods? – Most Nutrient Dense Top 6

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What are the best superfoods? A term many of us have become familiar with over recent years is ‘superfoods’. But, what exactly are they? And do they deserve such a status?

There are certain foods that do contain superior qualities in terms of nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants in comparison to other foods. And, this is where they get their so-called superfood status from.

In this post we will discover the most nutrient dense top 6 superfoods that should be easy to source no matter where you are in the world. Fortunately, these foods also happen to be pretty easy to sneak into you and your family’s diet without them noticing too much, including the kids!

Eat these highly nutritious foods every day (along with these other antioxidant rich foods) and you will feel the benefits of more energy, higher immunity, and glowing skin pretty fast.

Do you need more energy?

woman jumping for joy

For most of us, the answer to this question is unequivocally a YES. Our vitality depends on a balance of around 50 different nutrients. These include calories, amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Deficiencies in the last 3 are very common and can lead to lethargy, a compromised immune system, among many other diseases.

For energy specifically, hundreds of chemical reactions need to happen involving 30 different vitamins and minerals. The body needs these essential micro-nutrients to unlock the energy potential from the food you eat. And, if just one of them is missing, then vitality and optimal performance in both body and brain simply cannot happen.

You are SUPPOSED to feel good

Yes, high value nutrition is absolutely crucial! But, the problem is, a lot of people haven’t a clue that they’re not performing at their optimal levels. They have lived a certain way their whole lives. Yes, they feel tired… a lot, have brain fog, weight issues, anxiety, depression, aches, pains, and maybe a million other little niggles, but it’s become normal to them.

This is a pretty sad situation because this is most certainly not normal, and shouldn’t have to be either. You are supposed to have lots energy and vitality to live your life to the fullest. You’re not supposed to feel like you are just muddling through trying desperately to ignore the aches and pains – or worse still, living off of adrenaline or painkillers.

Don’t allow this to become the norm for you. You deserve so much more, and it CAN be different if you make some changes to your diet and exercise regime.

Changes don’t have to be anywhere near as painful as you may think. It’s all about dong things one step at a time, Start slowly, and these changes will soon become a habit that you will do daily without even thinking about.

plant based meal plans

The Role Of Superfoods And Health

This is where eating certain superfoods can help you feel healthier. They may even give you an energy and a zest for life that you have never before experienced. This is especially true if you have always numbed yourself out with sugar and junk foods.

It really does work. When you start to make even small changes for your health, you will start to feel good. You will then become ‘addicted’ to that high of feeling good. A a natural high, except it will be on life and not drugs, sugar or adrenaline.

Below is a list of the best superfoods to eat that you should start incorporating into your diet everyday. If you do this, you may start to feel the difference quickly, and maybe COMPLETELY different over time in both body and mind.

Finding your way to this kind of health is a journey, and you will need to reprogram yourself gradually if the changes are to stick for good.

Don’t worry about small slip-ups

Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon, as this is the kiss of death when it comes to permanent change. Just forget about it and move on immediately. Don’t wait until the next day to start afresh. Or, worse still, the next week! Just get yourself straight back on the horse and forget you ever slipped.

Doing this one thing can be a game changer. Most people can get depressed or annoyed if they break their healthy eating plan and go on a food bender, thus making themselves feel worse. This is common, but once you get it into your head that you are allowed the odd treats, you won’t feel like doing this at all.

Eat more food in general

This list of foods is a great place to start, but if you want to take things to another level you should gradually move towards a more healthy plant based diet altogether.

This will automatically cause you to consume a lot more alkaline and antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. All of which will fill you up, give you lots of nutrition (which lowers food cravings), and help melt away fat due to antioxidants, fiber, less calories and detoxification.

TOP 6 PLANT BASED SUPERFOODS

1. AVOCADOS

halved, fresh avocado

Avocados are the first on this list as they truly deserve to be the number one superfood. They are bursting with heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Plus, they contain high amounts of potassium (more than a banana), are high in fiber, and also boast high levels of vitamin K, E, C, B5, B6, potassium and folate.

You can easily incorporate avocados into your diet by adding them to green smoothies, salads, sandwiches and making guacamole. OR just chop them up and add them as a side with any meal.

Squeezing lemon juice on avocado not only adds to the flavour, but also stops them from going brown and oxidising. Unfortunately, that happens very quickly after exposure to air.

Other Avocado Benefits

  • Lower Cholesterol Studies show avocado can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when eating at a portion a day (which is half a small avocado).
  • Boost vitamin absorption – Avocado’s contain fats that boost the absorption of all the other nutrients within in it (yes, nature made them perfectly). Eating fats like avocado (or any other healthy fat) along with your meal will help boost the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K, and the antioxidants by up to 15 fold!
  • Eye protectionDue to their antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients dramatically reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
  • Helps you to lose weightAvocados are low GI, so can help to keep your blood sugar stable. Plus, their fats make you feel satiated and full for hours which will help stop you from snacking later on. Have half an avocado with your main meal every day and you’ll be full for the rest of the evening. The monounsaturated fats found in avocado helps to reduce stomach fat specifically.

2. BLUEBERRIES

fresh blueberries

These little purple gems are not only low in calories and sugar, but also contain one of the highest amounts of antioxidants of all the common fruits and vegetables. Their main antioxidant compounds (or flavonoids as they are otherwise known) are anthocyanins, and these are responsible for its super powerful antioxidant qualities.

Other Blueberry Benefits

  • May offer some cancer protection – Due to their antioxidant capacities, some studies are showing they show promise of containing effective anti cancer compounds.
  • Helps lower blood pressure – Considering high blood pressure is a pre-curser to strokes and heart attacks, keeping it down is a must. It’s just another of the many great reasons to eat blueberries.
  • Improves memory – As oxidative stress can affect the brain, blueberries (alongside other brightly coloured plant foods) may help to improve memory and brain function due to their high amounts of antioxidants.
  • Anti-diabetic – The compounds called anthocyanins in blueberries are anti-diabetic. This is due to their beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and the metabolism of glucose, which then helps to lower blood sugar levels.
  • Warding off bladder infections – Just like cranberries, blueberries can help fight urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria binding to the wall of the bladder.

 3. BROCCOLI

chopped, fresh broccoli

Broccoli is full of fiber, vitamins B6, B1, A, E, potassium, magnesium, manganese, omega 3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron and niacin, and is an easy and tasty side dish. It’s also one of the highest protein vegetables there is, thus making it great on a plant based or vegan diet.

Other Broccoli Benefits

  • A great detoxifyer – broccoli helps neutralise aging free radicals from the blood, therefore purifying it of toxins and helping to slow down the aging process.
  • Anti aging – can slow down the aging process due to its antioxidant vitamins of C and E and its essential fatty acids – all of which the skin, hair and nails need to look glowing and stay youthful. Broccoli can also help reverse the negative effects of sun damage thanks to the photonutrients it contains.
  • It’s great for stomach problems – As broccoli is high in fiber it helps with constipation. And its other nutrients such as magnesium also help acidity, digestion, and the absorption of all the other nutrients it contains.
  • Eye health – Broccoli contains an array of all the nutrients needed to maintain eye health. These help to protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.
  • Improved immunity – All of broccoli’s impressive nutrient profile work together to boost the immune system.
  • Great for bone health – especially in the elderly, children, or pregnant and lactating women. Broccoli is full of highly absorbable calcium, making it perfect for building stronger bones.
  • Can help treat anemia – due to its high amounts of copper and iron. Both of which are lacking in those with this condition.
  • Helps regulate blood pressure – Chromium is found in abundance in broccoli, and is a compound that helps regulate blood sugar, which in turn regulates blood pressure. Chromium picolinate supplements are often used to aid weight loss and help with blood sugar control.

4. BEETROOT

fresh beetroot

Beetroot (or beets as they’re sometimes called) are high in potassium and a good source of many other minerals. These minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and sodium.

Beetroot is often used by athletes for its endurance properties, therefore making it on this list of superfood superstars.

You can roast them, juice them, or grate them finely and eat raw in a salad. They’re also delicious grated with apple and drizzled with some fresh orange juice and olive oil.

Other Beetroot Benefits

  • Helps lower blood pressure due to their nitrate compounds that convert into citric acid, beetroot can help to relax the blood vessels.
  • Increase muscle power in heart patients – One 2015 study has shown that the nitrates in beetroot juice increased the muscle power of patients in heart failure by 13% just 2 hours after consuming the juice.
  • Good for the brain – These same nitrates increase blood flow to the brain, specifically the frontal lobes that are associated with cognitive behaviour and thinking.
  • Immune supporter – Beetroot contains good amounts of vitamin C, which we all know is great for the immune system. But, as an antioxidant, vitamin C also scavenges the free radicals in the body. This makes it an impressive anti-ager due to the fact it also helps with the production of collagen – a compound akin to gold dust in the anti aging world that keeps skin youthful, vibrant and plump.
  • Supports the liver – Another substance in beetroot stalks and leaves called betaine helps reduce and prevent deposits of fat in the liver. This substance also plays a role in helping protect the liver from the bombardment of toxins that it is exposed to daily.
  • Can help reduce bad cholesterol – due to its high amounts of phytonutrients and flavonoids. These are great for lowering bad cholesterol when eaten on a daily basis.

Points to remember about beetroot:-

  • Beetroot can turn your urine and stools red. But, do not be alarmed by this as it’s actually perfectly harmless.
  • If you have low blood pressure, then beetroot juice may lower it further. But, only if drunk regularly, so don’t panic about it too much if you are only drinking beetroot on occasion.
  • Do not drink beetroot if you are prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones.

5. ALMONDS

bowl of almonds

Almonds are a great as a low GI snack packed with fiber, protein, and other antioxidants that work together to give you a boost of energy. They are the most nutritionally dense of all the nuts and are a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and potassium.

These tasty nuts are also an easily transportable, non perishable snack that can be kept anywhere.

Other Almond Benefits

  • Beneficial to the heart – Almonds healthy monounsaturated fats help reduce bad cholesterol.
  • Can help you lose weight – Snacking on almonds in moderation (and instead of other junk foods) automatically ups your intake of protein and fiber, therefore making you feel fuller and more satiated. They will also stabilise your blood sugar, thus stopping that urge for sugary, junk foods. Another plus point for almonds (and in fact ALL nuts in general) is about 10-15% of their calories are not even absorbed! So yet another reason to make them one of your go to weight loss snacks.
  • Help control blood sugar – because of their low carbohydrate, high fat, protein and magnesium ratio. This makes them the perfect, blood sugar balancing snack for diabetics.

6. GARLIC

fresh garlic cloves

Garlic is full of a sulfur containing compound called allicin. This compound is prized for its antibacterial properties, and many other nutrients including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc, potassium and phosphorus.

It also offers triple protection as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal all in one. If you don’t like the taste of garlic then you really should consider taking supplements. You just can’t afford not to have these fantastic benefits in your life.

Other Garlic Benefits

  • Anti aging – Garlic purifies the blood and flushes out your system to give you a healthy glow. It also helps protects the skin from free radicals and slows down the depletion of precious collagen.
  • Can kill cold and flu viruses dead – Garlic can kill these viruses and stop them from even getting a hold on you in the first place.
  • Is highly anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral – Garlic has been used for the last 7000 years in the treatment of fungal, bacterial and parasite infections. So, nobody can say that its not stood the test of time.

Points to Remember about Garlic

  • If you are asthmatic, you should consult your doctor before either eating large quantities or supplementing with garlic.
  • You should stop garlic supplements one week before an operation as they can thin the blood.

GREEN SUPER FOOD POWDER

green superfood powder

We couldn’t finish this list without mentioning adding a very important detoxifying food to your healthy eating plan.

If you cannot get enough of the above superfoods into your everyday diet, OR if want to boost your antioxidant intake even further, then you should be using some kind of green superfood such as chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, or barley grass.

Remember, HIGH antioxidant intake on a daily basis is the key to health and anti aging as sometimes it’s just not always possible to get enough from your food alone.

Check out these reviews of the best superfood powder products from the most highly trusted brands.

Superfood Blends

If you’re going to go down the superfood powder route, then you should ideally take a mix of ALL the powerful green super food powders in one, such as Dr. Schulzes superfood. This is a botanical organic blend of lots of algaes and includes spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, wheatgrass, seaweed, beetroot, cherry, spinach, rosehips and much more…

You feel this amazing green powder working within about 20 MINUTES when you will notice an energy boost and see a sparkle in the eyes. You can only imagine the good it’s doing on the inside if it’s doing all this on the outside!

Tip: Unless you’re sick or recovering from an operation then you probably do not need as much as it says on the jar. You can get the above mentioned benefits from 2 teaspoons in water or juice, which ultimately makes it last longer too.

PLANT BASED MEAL PLAN

 

CONCLUSION

Superfoods are a great addition to any diet. Just be sure that you add them alongside a healthy eating and exercise plan for best results.

True health is more about what you don’t do as well as what you do do. So, exercise, sunshine, good food and high quality water will always be best in the long run in terms of health.

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16 thoughts on “What are the Best Superfoods? – Most Nutrient Dense Top 6”

  1. Good to read that all those six superfoods you write about are in my daily menu!

    What are your favourite superfoods other than those six? My favourite is raw cacao but I have read even bad things about it… I personally believe it is one of the best superfoods (according to science) but should I believe the bad things written about it? Do you have any knowledge about it?

    1. Hi Melissa, it’s really great that you eat all those things every day like I do. Other superfoods I love are sweet potatoes, pomegranates, green tea, goji berries and kale but I guess I will put those in another article ha ha. As for cacao I love it….too much! I eat dark chocolate every day, though not always raw chocolate (which is better) but I believe you need to have it in moderation.

      Here’s why – I had a hair analysis not long ago and it showed that my copper was way high and my zinc low, my herbalist said that this was definitely to do with my eating of too much dark chocolate as it is high in copper.

      These high copper levels threw my zinc out, and I knew I hadn’t felt right for a while but couldn’t put my finger on it, so it so this explained a lot. So, I drastically cut down my chocolate and did feel better, less wired and I slept better.

      So moral of the story, too much of a good thing can be bad. And don’t forget cacao does contain caffeine and is actually highly addictive (I have heard it called crackao in the raw food community). Hope this helps, just eat cacao in moderation!

  2. Hey there, thanks for the informative article! I always forget about beets as one of the healthiest foods you can eat. I really want to start including them in my diet. Also, now that it is getting cold out and I hardly ever see the sun I need to add more vitamin D to my diet. What do you suggest for getting vitamin D from real food as opposed to supplementing?

    1. Hi Daniel, yes it is very important for you to get vitamin D if you are not getting at least half an hour of sun on your skin a day. The best thing you can do is to try and get out for at least half an hour a day during daylight hours, even if it is cold and grim, there are still more sun rays coming through than you think.

      Also, try to eat lots of oily fish, dairy products (if you can tolerate them), eggs, particularly the yolk, and also you will find that a lot of cereals and even orange juice is usually fortified with it. If you are feeling tired a lot with achy muscles then you may find a supplement through the winter months will help give you the extra amount that you need.

  3. I eat many foods you mentioned in your article. It is always nice to know the benefits of the foods you eat. Thank you for the well written article. I found it very informative and helpful. I am starting to increase more fruits and vegetables and cutting down meats in my diet. I feel as if I have more energy when I consume more vegetables. I do have a question, what vegetables have proteins? Thank you!

    1. Hi Hong, it’s good to hear you eat a lot of these foods. You must be pretty healthy then! I gave up meat and dairy completely 9 months ago to eat a mostly plant based diet and it is the best thing I have ever done. I have more energy than ever and my skin is glowing, plus I just feel ‘cleaner’, I can’t explain it. I only advocate this diet if the person knows what they are doing (as I’m sure you do) in terms of getting all the nutrients they need i.e. good amounts of proteins and essential fatty acids which you will need to get from nuts, seeds, pulses and maybe some supplements like I do, especially B12.

      Good vegetable sources of protein are corn, broccoli, kale, sprouts and green peas (although they are technically a pulse). Soy beans also have massive amounts of low fat protein and are another thing I eat a lot of. Also. like I say in my post, have an avocado a day, especially when eating plant based, for all those wonderful, healthy fats and other nutrients.

  4. Lace Flowers-Ellis

    I am loving this, all the foods listed I love! Especially avocados. My toddler adores them too. We have eaten lots recently and everyone keeps telling me I’ve reduced in size. Hurrah!

    We also grow our own broccoli and onions. Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi there and thanks for reading. That’s so great that you’ve reduced your size since eating avocado as that just proves the point about how good they are for keeping blood sugar stable. Fantastic news! And I love the fact you grow your own broccoli as it would be so much fresher and full of nutrients when you can just pick it and eat it straight away. Broccoli is also one of the higher protein veggies so another good reason to eat lots of it.

  5. As an athlete, I value my health. For this reason, I am always looking to optimize my eating habits. All of these foods sound like an excellent addition to my diet. Do you have any recommendations for recipes that include these foods?

    1. Hi Alex, Wow, you’re an athlete! What sports do you do then? I am very interested as I do sports nutrition and know just how important it is to performance. As for ways to eat the foods on the list, I would definitely eat half an avocado a day. It would be good to eat it with other vegetables as the fat will up their nutrient absorption. You can put blueberries on your breakfast cereal or with porridge. Also add some almond butter into your porridge for extra fats and protein, making it a well rounded start to the day. I like to roast beetroot slices in coconut oil, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Yummy. Hope that helps.

  6. Thank you Stefanie.
    The articles you write are so informative. You encourage me and others to think about what they are eating and its is great to know that most of these top foods you analized are my favourites – especially advocado. Looking forward to more information
    Paula

  7. Darren Mckenna

    I’m very sensitive to the foods I eat and although I do try to regularly eat all of the superfoods you have listed here, I still find myself eating unhealthy foods as well, even knowing that I will regret it afterwards.
    Reading this has given me inspiration to stay more disciplined when it comes to my food choices. Thank you

    1. Hi Darren, yes it can be had to stay motivated to eat healthily all the time which is why I have a 90/10 rule for myself and I find this works pretty well to keep me on track. Another great tip is to use green superfood powders as mentioned in the post as you can use them to boost your intake of nutrients – especially good on those bad days when you think you haven’t been very disciplined.

  8. Pingback: High Calcium Foods List - Top 11 Plant Based Sources

  9. Pingback: What Is Turmeric Good For? - Homemade turmeric Paste Review

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