Enjoy Top Superfoods for Life

Check out some of the top superfoods as most of them have been around forever but people are just discovering their many attributes. Do we need superfoods?  We know that  our soils have been mass producing foods for the many years, studies have shown that our foods are not containing the nutrients that they had 50 years ago.  So adding in some superfoods could be a really good thing. 

There are so many good foods to eat. Unfortunately, most people feel they are too busy to prepare healthy foods so they grab the quick, prepared packaged foods.

Most packaged foods contain ingredients such as white flours, sugars, hydrogenated oils, food colorings, and preservatives just to name a few. These additives do not equate to top superfoods!

Take a moment and read the ingredients on the sides of those boxes to be sure you know what you are getting in a packaged food.

Superfoods are higher nutrient dense foods that are little powerhouses of concentrated nutrients.

For the benefits of certified organic foods
that are top superfoods click here.

The following is a great list of top superfoods that I have been working at adding to my daily regimen. Learning about superfoods and incorporating a few of them into your diet you will be adding mega nutritious foods that may be missing in the average diet.

1 - Berries are high in antioxidants. The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) scores rate blueberries at more than 6552 ORAC units and acai berries are a blueberry relative, and blackberries with 5247 ORAC units. Gogi berries are noted for their high amino acid content and antioxidants.

2 - Nuts are high in omega 3's which the body cannot manufacture. Pecans have 17,940 ORAC units, walnuts 13,541, and hazelnuts have 9645 ORAC which are high values according to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory's 2007 ORAC chart.

3 - Quinoa This small grain is from Peru and has been their main protein staple for centuries. As a complete plant protein source, this versatile grain is mild and delicious in salads and even as a hot breakfast cereal.

4 - Mushrooms such as Reishi, Cordiceps, Maitake and Chaga mushrooms are top along with other medicinal mushrooms for the many immune building properties that they contain. You can often find them in health food stores in capsules or teas.

5 - Algae's such as spirilina, blue green algae, phyto planktons, phycocynin and chlorella are rich in green food protein. Often found in powder or capsules at the health food stores.

6 - Maca root grows high in the Andes and has been used for hundreds of years to increase energy, libido and as a hormone modulator.

7 - Bee Pollen wildcrafted from your local bees contains over 5000 enzymes. Bees cultivate the pollen from a variety of local flowers and I believe it is helpful for me when spring allergy season begins. Bee pollen is also loaded with B vitamins. We all need a natural B vitamin to help combat stress that depletes these vitamins. What is bee pollen?

8 - Hemp Seeds are an excellent source of protein. It contains all the 20 amino acids, good fats and Omega fatty acids. I like to put a scoop of organic hemp seeds in my morning smoothie to ensure a balance of plant protein to start my day. It has a nice nutty flavor.

9 - Herbs are a great way to flavor foods and you can benefit from the powerhouse of nutrients that they contain. I try to add these wonderful herbs to my dishes and smoothies such as tumeric, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, curry, rosemary, basil and as fresh as possible.

10 - Cacao is the raw form of chocolate that is high in magnesium, iron and minerals. Cacao is full of antioxidants and is a great energy booster as it does have a natural caffeine. I find cacao to be very stimulating, so be careful to not over indulge in it especially in the evenings as it might keep you awake at night.

Try this great tasting raw cacao in this delicious smoothie recipe

11 -  Chia Seeds are tiny seeds that are a complete protein source, high in omega-3's, antioxidants, calcium, fiber and have great health benefits. They are a staple in my pantry that I go to on a regular basis.

This is a short list of the numerous quality top superfoods out there. Finding good sources of high nutrient dense foods is a natural health quest. Often our average diets are missing out on these nutrient dense foods. You most likely will not find all of these superfoods at your local grocery or health food stores. I use a couple of good resources to order maca, raw cacao, algae's, mushrooms, gogi berries and other superfoods from these two stores:

Shop at The Raw Food World click here

To shop for Raw Superfoods click on the Live Superfood Store link below:

References: - ORAC values from the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory

- David Wolfe from his Longevity and Raw Food programs

- article "Eating to Boost Your Brainpower - Longevity Center - EverydayHealth.com

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