Everyday foods with super powers

Fill up your cupboards with these everyday foods with super powers, as chowing down on chia seeds and gorging on goji berries isn’t the only way to pump up the nutrition on your plate!

There’s plenty of staples lurking in your kitchen that you can use to their full potential to jumpstart your health. Read our edit of the top five good-for-you items you need keep to-hand.

1) Oats

A packet of oats definitely always deserves a home in your kitchen cupboard. Why? Oats offer loads of dietary fibre and complex carbs that help to keep you fuller for longer. The body digests these slower, keeping blood sugar levels stable and energy levels raised. Enjoy a bowl of porridge topped with berries and seeds, or grind oats up into flour for healthy pancakes. The options are endless!

2) Lemon

Fill your fruit bowl with luscious lemons for a detoxifying super boost. Start the day with a cup of warm lemon water for a quick morning de-bloat. Lemon helps to maximise enzyme function, which kickstarts the liver’s cleansing abilities, so it’s worth adding the it into your daily routine. The tangy citrus fruit also contains limonene, vitamin C and citric acid, which help to fight infection and improve immunity.

3) Apple cider vinegar

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away and oh how it’s true! Apple cider vinegar has so many uses, it really is a superfood. Not only does it help to control blood sugar levels and adds flavour to salads and sauces, it boosts weight loss by keeping things moving thanks to its pectin content and can even stave off indigestion. Drizzle it over salads or drink as a shot to improve digestive health.

4) Chilli

If you’re looking to lose a few pounds, it’s time to use more chilli in cooking. The fiery spice, which is a must-have ingredient in Asian curries, helps to kick up your metabolic rate and if the metabolism-boosting properties weren’t enough alone to get you hooked, studies show that capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli triggers your brain to release feel-good endorphins.

5) Greek yoghurt

Super-versatile and nutrient-packed, Greek yoghurt is a fridge-must have. It’s de-bloating thanks to its probiotic strains of bacteria that help to support healthy digestion, high in protein, which makes it a good post-gym snack, and can be used as a substitute for cream or mayo.