What does the word ‘superfood’ evoke in you? An armored carrot? Broccoli with a cape? Maybe the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eve? There is no denying that some foods are so nutrient-dense that they may seem to possess superpowers. Just like superheroes, they hide in plain sight, always there to protect us…
What is a superfood?
A relatively recently coined term, foods that provide the most nutritional value for the fewest calories are called "superfoods." They are loaded with micronutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Most superfoods are plant based superfoods, and you probably have some of these fruits and vegetables at home right now. Making sure your diet contains superfoods assures that you receive a plethora of nutrients without having to eat a lot. However, it’s important to note that superfoods aren't a panacea, and just like any other food they should be consumed in moderation. That being said, let’s go over some superfoods you can find easily that you can add to your diet immediately.
Quick Fact
Bananas may have sparked the superfood craze that's been around for almost a century. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the United Fruit Company produced a series of vibrant advertisements on the health advantages of bananas in the 1920s. Studies highlighting those advantages were published, and soon the tropical fruit became the first product dubbed a superfood.
Common Superfoods
- Green Tea Leaf
This plant based green superfood has been part of a royal tradition in Ancient China. Dubbed as the “beverage of the emperor,” everyone was encouraged to drink green tea due to its many health benefits. The laundry list of benefits it boasts is beneficial for your mind and your body, aiding your holistic health. It’s known to boost your mood, reduce stress, help your body absorb nutrients, catalyze metabolism, and several other immediate benefits. Its long-term benefits include lowering the risk of heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases, reviving nerve cells, and strengthening your immune system, to name a few. A hot, fresh brew of green tea is guaranteed to improve your day.
- Broccoli
Broccoli has ancient roots that can be traced back to the Roman empire. This plant based green superfood contains nutrients like magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins B6, C, E, and K. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have also been associated with reduced risk for cancer. This green superfood has also proven to protect your skin from the sun, improve digestion and strengthen your immune system. What sets broccoli apart is it can be cooked in a variety of ways, so you can choose a recipe that suits you best. Try making a nutritious cream of broccoli soup with some protein powder for some extra punch!
- Carrot
Did you know that half a cup of orange fruits & vegetables every day led to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease? Someone would have definitely recommended this plant based superfood to you to improve your vision, owing to the fact that carrots contain 210% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A. Carrots are also known for revitalizing skin, improving dental health, gut health, and bone health, all while also fortifying your immune system. Baby carrots are the perfect superfood snack!
- Spinach leaf
An excellent snack to have any time, recommended by Popeye himself! Spinach is a vegetable commonly found in every household that’s widely used in salads and smoothies. It’s rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Eating spinach regularly helps prevent cancer, heart attacks, and anemia. You also gain glowing skin, less acne, better vision, stronger bones, and better sleep. Are you craving a green superfood smoothie yet?
- Barley
A plant based superfood, barley is one of the healthiest cereal grains in the world, and it also contains high levels of protein. Before you ask, yes, scotch is made from barley; however, it doesn't get the same benefits. Barley, unlike the other plant based superfoods mentioned, is not a fruit or vegetable. But you should definitely incorporate barley into your meals because it is a very filling food that can reduce hunger and assist in weight loss. If you don't like barley's taste, you might want to try drinking barley water, an ancient Ayurvedic concoction that cools and relaxes your body.
Have you already started envisioning a morning routine filled with unpacking fresh
produce to stack your plate full of fruit and vegetables? While this would be ideal, it’s quite a lot to expect out of yourself on a daily basis. Terra Origin Greens Superfoods contains the above superfoods and many more, such as spirulina, strawberry, alfalfa, tomatoes, and many others, amounting to over 35 natural ingredients. The nutrients these ingredients provide all come together to boost your overall health, helping you feel more energetic and stress-free. Some of that extra energy you gain should be channeled into physical activity, to further improve your well-being.
Superfoods don’t just give you more energy to exercise, they also provide other benefits to your body that are beneficial during and after exercise. If you’ve been pushing yourself to achieve a milestone and you’re just so close to achieving it, maybe a scoop of Greens Superfoods will help push you over the line.
Can superfoods boost your exercise?
Exercise can be challenging when you're exhausted and sore after a workout. Diet plays a significant role in overcoming some of these obstacles, as it improves performance and recovery. If you want to get the most out of your gym sessions, eat a diet rich in antioxidants, minerals, protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Adding some spring to your training routine begins with eating consciously, not just with pre workout supplements. Maintaining a balanced diet also ensures that you’re consuming a plethora of natural immunity boosters, so you stay fit and ready to get your sweat on.
Next time you're feeling worn out and sore, give the aforementioned superfoods a try to enhance your training. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results these superfoods produce!
After having discussed what superfoods can contribute to your health and lifestyle, you must be asking yourself if having to create a buffet of foods everyday is truly worth the benefits. It’s difficult to find the time to forage superfoods, and that’s where Terra Origin can help you!
The power of superfoods shouldn't be underestimated
Boss Tweed rightly said, "the way to have power is to take it". It is unwise to ignore the power of superfoods since they have been clinically proven to have a myriad of benefits.
It is for this reason that Terra Origin Green Superfoods packs 35+ natural ingredients that give you these benefits in a scoop. The benefits of incorporating it into your diet are undeniable, and you will definitely experience them. It could be a smoothie of plant based green superfoods or it could be a slow roast dinner made exclusively with superfoods, you choose how you fuel your body. While Terra Origin Grass fed Whey Protein and Plant Protein help fulfill one of your body’s macronutrient requirements, Greens Superfoods saves the day by fulfilling your micronutrient requirements. The next time someone asks you who the superhero behind your health is, ask them: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Terra Origin Greens Superfoods!