“Superfood” is a word you probably see a lot right now, but what exactly qualifies as one? There may not be a textbook definition for superfoods, but leading organizations like the American Heart Association count berries, leafy greens, salmon, whole–grain oats, and other foods packed with nutrients as great examples of superfoods. Simply put, the super in superfoods makes them excellent for your healthy eating routine. Here are some of our favourite superfoods that you should add to your diet.
Organic Kale
Kale is having its renaissance moment in healthy eating. Twenty years ago, you could hardly find a kale salad on a menu, and now it’s virtually everywhere. There’s more to this green than its crunchy texture. Kale contains lutein, which helps support eye health. And since you’re probably looking at a phone screen right now, you may need some more lutein in your life.
Organic Spinach
There’s a reason Popeye relied on this leafy green for his super strength. It’s a versatile ingredient in almost any meal and boasts a laundry list of vitamins and minerals to boost health. Spinach is a great source of nutrients like manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, and potassium, just to name a few. It’s one of the most super superfoods you can enjoy.
Organic Turmeric
This root’s story goes back thousands of years. Turmeric is popular in Southeast Asian cuisine and is revered for its health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants and has been shown to support heart and brain health in some studies. The fact that it tastes great in foods is just a bonus!
Organic Broccoli
Broccoli was never the most exciting vegetable growing up, but don’t sleep on the power packed into these tiny trees (they really do look like tiny trees). Broccoli is a great source of vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. And since it’s such an easy and versatile side dish, there’s no excuse not to add more to your diet!
Organic Sweet Potatoes
Who doesn’t love sweet potatoes? We imagine the Thanksgiving favourite covered in butter and sugar, but strip down the unhealthy additives, and there are tons of health benefits found in this vegetable. Unlike the simpler spuds, such as the classic russet, sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A. Just one sweet potato delivers more than 100% of your daily recommended amount, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Organic Purple Corn
Corn gets a bad rap. We associate it with high-fructose corn syrup or buttered popcorn, but not all corn is created equal. Before it was watered down into the giant commodity crop we know today, many different types of corn were grown in the Americas, even before the first settlers arrived. The purple pigments in this corn, called anthocyanins, are a potent source of antioxidants. That’s something you won’t get from regular ol’ corn on the cob.
Organic Purple Carrots
Fun fact — carrots are not just orange! The Dutch grew them that way as a tribute to royalty during the 17th century, but carrots come in many different colors, including purple. Purple carrots also contain antioxidant-rich anthocyanins (hence the same purple color). These are seven ways to start your superfood journey, but they’re far from the only options out there.
