5 ways to eat superfoods without any drama

Superfoods are exactly that. Super. Foods. Best defined as nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and wellbeing. These are not just a little bit good for us, but actually hold the potential to vastly improve our vitamin intake and in turn our wellness. Different superfoods obviously bring specific benefits and it’s a good idea to combine as wide a variety as possible into our everyday meals. Whether it’s fruit, veg, berries, nuts or seeds, there are plenty of advantages your body can look forward to if you enjoy a balanced diet rich in these little beauties.

The term superfoods was first coined in the ‘80s. Foods that have gained superfood status in recent years include those rich in antioxidants and vitamins and those thought to have specific alkaline and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that eating more foods that fall into the superfood category may reduce the risk of chronic disease, and prolong your life. It’s also been cited that people who eat more superfoods are healthier and slimmer than those who don’t.

While we’re all aware of some of the more common superfoods, and acknowledge we should probably fit more into our everyday diet, it doesn’t always work that way. Factors such as lack of time or needing to buy fresh ingredients to prepare healthy recipes mean we’re not necessarily making it easy on ourselves. So what can we do to ensure we eat more superfoods and in turn reap the benefits?

Make it quick

We’re all pushed for time these days and changes in diet are never easy to stick to long term, regardless of the benefits, if they involve a disproportionate amount of effort. Superfoods such as seeds are a simple addition to our diet without the need to make much of a change. Add a spoonful or two of flaxseeds to your morning smoothie or sprinkle pumpkin seeds liberally over a lunchtime salad. This will easily incorporate more vitamins and nutrients into your daily diet without making things too complicated.

Make it simple

The quickest and easiest way to ensure you consume more super-foods is to incorporate them into easy recipes. The simpler something is to make, the more inclined you will be to make it. Check our avocado breakfast. Eggs are full of protein and will make you feel fuller for longer. Not only are avocados high in fibre, they’re sodium and cholesterol free. They hold over twenty essential nutrients, they’re rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – the “good” kind that actually lower cholesterol levels (such as omega-3 and 6 fatty acids). Avocados are crammed with vitamins including  A, B, C, D, E, and K, plus they’re rich in potassium. You won’t get a much more superior superfood.

Make it sweet

While incorporating lots of leafy vegetables into your meals each day is a wonderful thing, superfoods don’t all have to be green. Including sweet treats such as blueberries, cacao and chia pudding into your daily diet will make for a brilliant balance. And lets face it, eating a blueberry chia chocolate sundae is never going to be a chore!

Make it last

Baking is a brilliant way to keep simple superfood snacks to hand. Throwing a mixture of sunflower, pumpkin and flaxseeds into homemade flapjacks for example, can add a brilliant boost of zinc, vitamin E and omega-3 to our diet. The other benefit of using superfoods such as these in baked goods is that they’ll keep for a time, providing easy on-the-go snack options.

Make it mouthwatering

Sticking to a superfood-rich lifestyle is obviously going to be simpler if you choose recipes you love. While it’s essential to aim for as wide a variety as possible in your diet, sticking to eating well is always easier if you love the foods you include each day. Superfood needn’t always be salad and steamed veg. If there’s a particular superfood you love – whether it’s blueberries or raw chocolate – make sure you always have some to-hand for those moments you crave a snack. Having superfood snacks around will encourage you to pick a healthy option over unhealthy nibbles such as biscuits and crisps.