Chances are you’ve heard a lot about super foods before, foods that go above and beyond for your health. Perhaps you don’t know what exactly makes such foods so healthy for your body, but they have some astounding health benefits.
Super Foods to Improve Your Health
Filled with nutrients, minerals, and surprising health benefits, the following superfoods are the perfect on-the-go snacks that will complement your health as they satisfy your snack craving!
Chia Seeds
A spectacular source of omega-3 fatty acid, chia seeds are becoming increasingly popular as a healthy snack choice. These super seeds are superfoods because they just a single ounce serving packs in eleven grams of fiber. Chia seeds, native to Mexico and parts of Central America, are a member of the mint family and historically were an important staple for the Aztecs.
They may have realized some of the plant’s other benefits like its ability to enhance teeth and bone strength and how just a small portion can satisfy hunger. The great thing about chia seeds is that you don’t have to eat a lot to feel full and, yet, you are treated to protein and even enhanced heart health!
Quinoa
The Incas discovered that quinoa was a superfood roughly 4,000 years ago. The food source was essential to the Incan people who believed it was a source of endurance and particularly suited to their warrior class. Today, science tells us that quinoa is among one of the most important of the protein-rich foods we can eat.
Chock full of iron, magnesium, and riboflavin, quinoa enhances blood-sugar control and has more fiber than most other grains we eat. Fiber helps lower cholesterol so quinoa complements heart health and it’s loaded with energy making it the perfect afternoon snack for anyone who needs a healthy pick-me-up!
Hemp Seeds
Though they’re referred to as seeds, hemps seeds are actually fruit. Jam-packed with protein and disease-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, hemp seeds are known to enhance the immune system.
They are excellent for heart health and loaded with phytonutrients that are easy for the body to digest. Studies have shown that hemp seeds can reduce inflammation and even improve digestion. Many people add them to salads or to granola mixes. Make them into a pesto or add them to salad dressing for a healthy addition to your diet.
Almonds
So readily available and so good for you, almonds are one of the easiest take-along snacks you can have on hand. Almonds have the ability to lower bad cholesterol; in this way they can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are also associated with a reduced risk for diabetes because they curb after-meal increases in blood-sugar.
Studies have also shown that eating nuts or super foods like almonds (almonds are technically the seeds of the fruiting almond tree), can help prevent weight gain. Moreover, with their pleasing taste they can be enjoyed on their own or added to various meals and recipes as a healthful ingredient.
Flaxseeds
High in omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition. They help protect blood vessels from damage and reduce oxidative stress. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties allow flax seeds to help the body fend off a wide array of diseases and conditions like asthma, diabetes, some cancers, and even obesity. A great super food to enhance heart health, flax seeds can be easily added to breads and muffins. Add some to a salad for an extra boost of nutrition.
Walnuts
With their heart health benefits, walnuts have also been associated with reduced risk for cancer and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have also demonstrated that walnuts can even enhance bone health because of their anti-inflammatory properties. While they help lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol in the body, some say that even have the ability to help reduce the damage that occurs with stress.
If you have a stressful job, for instance, make walnuts a regular part of your diet. They can be added to breads, muffins, or simply enjoyed as they are. Popular around the holidays, be sure to eat them all year long to benefit from their healthful qualities.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are an excellent support for your immune system with their rich zinc content. Adding pumpkin seeds to your diet can stable your blood pressure and lead to a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Studies have also indicated the pumpkin seeds can enhance insulin production in the body.
While the fiber presents in pumpkin seeds can support heart health, it can also support good liver health. Many people like to add pumpkin seeds to salads or simply enjoy them as a quick snack on their own.
Bottom line
Make a point to add these superfoods to your diet. By eating them each week, you can maximize their benefits to your body. Moreover, when you eat healthful foods like these seeds and nuts, you’ll be less tempted to indulge in unhealthy snacks. See for yourself how convenient they are and how good they’ll make you feel!
