What is a super food?
“Any healthy food claimed to have a health-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying nutrients.” (wikipedia.com)
Today I am going to share with you 3 of my favourite super foods:
- Goji Berries
- Chia Seeds
- Cacao
1. Goji Berries
The Wolfberry, or commercially known Goji, is native to Southeastern Europe and Asia.
Fortunately it has become very common to find this super yummy super food in your local supermarket, in the health food section, or where ever your dried fruits are.
The Goji Berry contains significant percentages of a day’s macronutrient needs – carbohydrates, protein, fat and dietary fibre.
Traditionally in Asia, although dried when purchased, the berry is soaked or cooked in different dishes such as congee and jelly. However, in the western world, it is commonly used in a huge variety of ways – sprinkled on yoghurt, ice cream, cereal, or salad. They can also be blended up nicely in a delicious smoothie. Or you could try using them in your trail mix, or simply eating some by themselves!
The Goji contains many essential and trace dietary minerals, amino acids, various vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, and carotenoids. Cosume Goji berries on a regular basis to get a delicious dose of iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin C.
The Goji berry is like one little sweet multi-vitamin!
2. Chia Seeds
The Chia seed is native to central and southern Mexico, and Guatemala. Chia comes from the word Chian, meaning oily, which seems appropriate due to their super high content of Omega 3 Fatty Acids (good fats - with 8 times more than salmon!!).
The seeds are very tiny, and can be both black or white in colour.
Despite being known primarily for their high Omega 3 content, Chia seeds are also full of other wonderful nutrients such as protein, fibre, and essential minerals phosphorus, manganese, calcium, potassium and sodium.
I personally consume Chia seeds by blending some up in my super smoothies, sprinkling on salad, or on my toast. And you can even make a delicious Chia Pudding – I will post my recipe and photos very soon (stay tuned!).
If you are interested in buying some Chia seeds, you will generally find them at health food stores. I’ve found them in the supermarket, however they’re in much smaller servings for a much higher price. It pays to shop around, and also to support your local health food store, rather than big chain corporations if you can!
Chia is an ancient food prized by the Aztecs. They sure were onto something!
Lastly, I also recommend trying to locate organic Chia seeds if possible. They might be a higher price, but certainly worth it for the health of you and your family.
3. Cacao
Firstly to clarify, Cacao is not the same as Cocoa. It has the same roots, but they are not the same thing.
Cacao powder comes from the Cacao bean – It is a raw food that makes beautiful chocolate. Cacao is the source of all chocolate and cocoa products.
Raw Cacao is a source of beta-carotene, amino acids (protein), Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulphur, potassium, and stress busting magnesium.
You can buy raw (organic if you wish) Cacao powder from any good health food store, or online.
I use Cacao powder to make delectable chocolate smoothies, raw chocolate, chocolate muffins/cupcakes, hot chocolate, or to sprinkle on desserts!
In ancient times the Mexican Mayan kings valued Cacao so much they used it as money!
Cacao is raw, vegan and gluten-free.
So, they’re my 3 super foods for today! I hope that if you haven’t tried these before you will go out, invest in your health, and give them a try. And for those who have long been fans of the above super foods, I hope you continue to relish in the deliciously good health you are surely in.
Enjoy!
Much love, light and good health… Amy x
