What Are Superfoods?
People or companies who claim to sell “superfoods” would have you believe that there is something magical in certain food items that will protect or even cure your body of diseases. I know that you’ve seen or heard the claims about the latest product, juice or food that is claimed to be a superfood.
The term “superfood” does not have a legal definition! In general “superfood” refers to a food item that is supposed to be particularly nutritious. However, the word is mostly just used as a marketing tool, so beware!
A Superdiet?
I read something this week that I loved… and I’ll write it BIG because I like it so much!
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “SUPERFOODS”, ONLY A “SUPER DIET”.
Research shows that what we eat and drink and how physically active we are can help us prevent cancer at any time in life, from childhood to old age. In fact, our diet and our physical activity level can reduce our risk for cancer by approximately one-third.
However, it is not ONE food or exercise that is going to make the biggest difference. It is the combination of foods and beverages along with daily physical activity and making choices to minimize exposure to carcinogens to maintain optimal health.
How Do I Make My Diet a “Superdiet”?
First of all, let you remind you what “diet” means. A diet is not something that you go on and off. I define diet as “what you eat”! We all have diets. I have a diet, my dog has a diet. What we choose to eat is what makes our diet.
In order to make a superdiet, you want to be choosing foods and beverages that are particularly nutritious. That would include foods and drinks that have lots of phytochemicals (including antioxidants), vitamins, minerals, and fiber in them along with some combination of the major nutrients (water, carbs, protein or fat).
Want to include more nutritious foods in order to make your diet a superdiet? Here’s a list to start with. Make sure that you have at least one of these foods at each meal along with 30 minutes of your favorite physical activity.
Superdiet Foods:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Beets
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collards
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Whole Oats
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Wild Salmon
- Wild Tuna
- Soybeans
- Green or Black Tea
- Garbanzo Beans
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Tomato
- Orange
- Lemon Zest
I hope it makes you feel SUPER!
– Julie
