Superfoods, we've all heard the term but what exactly is a superfood. Well a superfood is one which may have unusually high levels of vitamins, antioxidants or other various nutrients.
However the use of the actual terms superfoods has been banned from marketing in the European Union unless it can be backed up by scientific research. The problem was that everything was becoming a superfood. Marketers were over doing the term including food that had little nutritional benefit, and the law makers decided enough was enough. The term now preferred is functional food.
We prefer to think of superfoods of those that have been long known to have a great benefit for the body. Superfoods should be taken as part of a balanced diet.
Eggs - Eggs are brilliant. Packed with a enough protein to keep you fuller for longer, versatile, low cost and easy to use. Stick to poaching and boiling for maximum effect. Eggs are also said to consider 12 different vitamins and minerals, what a great start to the day.
Beans - We're not talking the ones rich in tomato sauce. We are talking mixed beans, adoku beans, kidney beans, butter beans, runner beans, need we go on? Again like eggs there loaded with protein, as well as magnesium and potassium. Beans also contain isoluble fibre which may lower cholesterol.
Sweet Potatoes. Grill them, put them in the oven, whole or cut into wedges. A great side dish to any meal. There also really sweet so no need to add butter. Rich in potassium, vitamin C and calcium they have a great effect on lowering the effect of sodium in the blood.
Broccoli. This mean green veg tastes great and similarly to cauliflower it can be used as a substitute instead of rice. Broccoli contains folic acid which is one of the main preventer's of heart disease. It is also said to have a great effect on age degeneration, and impaired vision.
These are just some superfoods to get you started. There's many more out there.
