The word super has been applied to many things: a certain man of iron, stars and where would the world be without supercalafragilisticexpialadoscious? In recent years the word super has been applied to foods and created much buzz about so-called super foods.
For those who aren’t in the super food catchphrase know, here is a basic run down of the who, what and why of foods and how they became super.
Super Foods for Super Weight Loss
The super food phenomenon may have all started on Oprah, as is the case with so many things in our nation’s lexicon language. This is not to say that Oprah has any special powers to make food better than it is, but the phrase went into popular use after Dr. Perricone’s visit discussing ten super foods and their effect on beauty.
The idea that there are only ten super foods is completely incorrect. There are many super foods. The exact criteria to become a ‘super’ food are easy to define, but a bit harder to pin down. To a great degree it all depends on who you talk to.
To be a super food, the food in question must carry higher than average levels of phytonutrients, or phytochemicals. In plain English super foods are usually organic in nature and are loaded to the bursting point with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and any other good thing for the body. To this end there is a long list of foods labeled as super.
Choosing the right super food for you is a bit like choosing which of the Super Friends is going to accompany you on a trip. If your trip called for a lot of flying Superman or Wonder Woman and her jet would be a great choice. On the other hand if your destination is at the bottom of the sea Aquaman would be the better choice.
This is one reason why experts quibble about which foods are worthy to carry the super label. If you are striving to avoid cancer there is a list of foods suited for that end, if younger skin and more energy is the goal the list will change. Choose your super foods for you and your goals.
As a general rule any deeply colored vegetable or fruit (like blueberries and broccoli) will be super. Beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and bright herbs with strong smells are considered super foods in their own rite.
To put a name on it the following foods are all widely accepted as super foods:
| Blueberries Broccoli Salmon Citrus Fruits Squash Spinach | Swiss Chard Kale Avocado Flax Seed Oats Pumpkin | Sweet Potato Walnuts Almonds Beans Seaweed Cacoa | Turkey Bananas Quinoa Garlic Yogurt Kiwi Fruit |
Other Ways to Eat Healthier
Eating healthier is on the to-do list of many Americans, and for good reason. Many Americans suffer from obesity, nutrient deficiency, or other problems linked to their diet. Preventing these problems in your family will help them live long, happy, healthy lives.
One way to eat healthier is to cut down on the sugar. We know, we know. Everyone loves a good helping of junk food. There's nothing wrong with that, in moderation. But if you're eating sugary foods every day in large quantity, it's time to cut back. Swap out the soda for a healthier drink, opt for a sugar-free or reduced sugar dessert, and resist the urge to swipe some candy from the dish.
Another great way to eat healthier is to introduce more protein into your diet. Generally, this is best accomplished with foods that are low in fat but high in protein. Vegetables can offer protein, but the proteins they offer are not as complete as the ones found in meat. Chicken and turkey are fantastic options for those looking to eat more protein without all the fat. For beef, aim for the leanest you can find.
Finally, drink water! This is by far the simplest thing you can do, but it can really go a long way towards improving your health. You should be aiming to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Drinking enough water will have you feeling lively and healthy in no time at all. Spread your water consumption out throughout the day; start with a glass, end with a glass!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©marilyn barbone/Shutterstock.com.