Improving how we feel and our well being can take many different forms – from going on holidays to starting a new exercise routine. Some of us also take the approach of overhauling our diets to be healthier.
When it comes to making our diets healthier, of course we can add fruits and vegetables – but why not try something a little more fun and interesting? You could think about adding superfoods to your diet to really up the ante!
Whether you’re a superfoods expert or it’s your first time hearing about them, keep reading to learn what exactly makes a food super, and which ones you should think about giving a go!
What exactly is a superfood?
Superfoods are essentially a group of natural foods that are just full to the brim of all those great phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Each of these provide nutritional value and are essential components that help our bodies stay strong, perform their normal bodily functions and help us fight off illnesses.
Now, you’re probably aware that lots of so-called normal foods have vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants in them as well – but when it comes to superfoods, they have an extraordinary amount of them by comparison.
Majority of superfoods are plant based and grown all over the world, however there are a few animal-based superfoods, such as salmon. And the exciting thing about superfoods, is that you can eat them in a lot of different ways.
Adding superfoods to your diet
As the popularity of superfoods has increased, so too has the way in which they are available. Some superfoods are only found in certain parts of the world, which makes it difficult to be able to access them in their freshest form.
However, through the advancement of science and technology, these superfoods are now available in powdered extracts, tinctures, capsules, and freeze dried forms. This means that just because something might be grown on the other side of the world, it doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from them!
These different forms that superfoods come in also means that it can be so easy to increase your nutritional intake without you even noticing. A few drops of tincture here, and a spoon of powdered extract there – it can be so simple to add superfoods to your diet.
So, now that you know superfoods come in a lot of different forms, which superfoods should you add to your diet? Well, keep reading cos we’re going to tell you about some of our favourites.
Our favourite superfoods
Maca Root
Once a well kept secret of the Peruvians, maca root has become a popular superfood in recent times due to its high levels of Vitamins C & B6, Potassium, Iron, Manganese and Copper.
It’s also believed to boost libido in both men and women, have a positive impact on mood, and is thought to improve energy levels and sports performance!
It’s largely available in a powdered form and has a nutty flavour, making it great to add to breakfast foods like oats and cereal.
Japanese Matcha Tea
Dating back almost 1000 years, matcha tea is believed to help reduce the effects of stress, improve the way your brain functions and may even help you lose weight.
Matcha is a concentrated form of green tea, where the leaves are crushed and pulverised into a fine powder as opposed to how green tea is prepared, where the leaves are cut and dried.
Like normal green tea, matcha is predominantly used in liquid to make tea, using either water or milk. And it is often used to flavour things, such as mochi balls and cakes.
Pine Pollen
Pine pollen in recent times has become a favourite superfoods, partially due to its positive anti-ageing properties.
Containing a high level of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it can help to not only protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals, but also improve testosterone levels, which is hard to do naturally, and reduce fatigue.
Pine pollen is available in a huge range of forms, including powered extract, tincture and capsules. You can add drops of the tincture or a teaspoon of the powder to water or milk for an instant elixir, or you can simply take a capsule to get your fix!
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Whether you’ve heard of lion’s mane mushroom or not, chances are you know that mushrooms are often celebrated for their nutritional benefit.
Having been a staple in Asian medicine for centuries, lion’s mane is called this because it’s appearance is not unlike a lion’s mane. Shaggy and long, you’d be surprised if you came across it in the forest!
Lion’s mane is believed to reduce inflammation in the body and also boost the immune system, making it a great option for people with weak immune systems.
Lion’s mane is available in powdered, tincture and capsule forms, making it super simple to add to your diet.
Chaga Mushroom
Grown on birch trees, chaga mushroom is kind of hard to spot in the wild as it looks like a dark clump of dirt, or even a little bit like a burnt mark on a tree.
But don’t let the appearance fool you, it’s actually jam packed with nutrients such as:
- Vitamin D
- Potassium
- Rubidium
- Amino Acids
- Copper
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Manganese Iron
These are only some of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in chaga. They are also what gives it its many health benefits including fighting inflammation in the body, slowing the aging process and helping to lower cholesterol.
Like many other superfoods, it’s available in tincture, capsule and powdered extract forms, making it a versatile and simple addition to your diet.
Boost your diet with superfoods today
As superfoods are available in so many different forms, it means it can be super easy to add them to your diet, so if you’re looking to buy chaga mushroom online Australia, or any other superfoods we’ve talked about today, you can’t go past Superfoods Australia. They offer a huge range of delicious and nutritious superfoods and they send to you anywhere in Australia – it couldn’t be easier to start your superdiet.