If your household is one of the many that’s headed down a path of healthier eating, you may have been introduced to the term “superfood.” Though the term is not new (it’s actually been used for decades), many people are still not quite sure what it even means. And while it sounds like a cool thing to throw around when you’re filling your friends and colleagues in on how your new healthier lifestyle is changing you, the truth of the matter is: It’s not as exclusive to the health community as you may think.
In fact, mostly everyone consumes at least one superfood a day. So, what are they exactly, you ask? According to Merriam-Webster, the technical definition of a superfood is “a food that is rich in compounds considered beneficial to a person’s health.” Meaning all of the good stuff that your doctors encourage you to eat on the regular, AKA fruits, veggies, and fiber rich foods. Simple enough, right? Before you dive into explaining this to friends, however, here are a few other things that you should know about the coined term for your favorite nutrient-rich foods.
What are the benefits of eating superfoods?
Just because someone says superfoods are good, doesn’t mean they actually are, right? Well according to licensed sports dietitian Leslie Bonci, there’s no hidden agenda behind superfoods. In fact, she told Delish that there are even more benefits to eating them than you could imagine.
“They may have clinical relevance for disease management like blood glucose or blood cholesterol control. Foods that are high in phytonutrients (AKA plant nutrients)—such as all fruits and veggies, legumes, nuts and seeds, and grains—can all provide more than one benefit,” said Bonci, who, BTW also owns Active Eating Advice and was the team dietitian to 2020’s Super Bowl Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even more, Bonci revealed that superfoods can also have many other healing properties. Prunes, for example, can help with gastrointestinal motility, all while also providing what your body may need to help maintain bone mineral density.
Superfoods are clearly super, but what are the downsides to eating so many of them?
No, they’re not too good to be true. What you see (and read or hear) about superfoods is what you get. “Everyone deserves to eat a super bowl or plate and since we are primarily focusing on produce—an area where most people are sorely lacking—any form of produce every day is the goal,” she said.
Plus, it doesn’t matter if these foods are fresh, frozen, or dried. Superfoods, as a whole, can help improve the functionality of your immune system. Most importantly, anyone can eat them. It doesn’t matter your age, gender, or health status. Superfoods are truly for everyone as everyone deserves to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Consuming superfood-heavy meals can serve as a preventative or preservation method for everyone looking to live and maintain a long, healthy life.
OK, so what’s the best way to make the most out of my superfood consumption?
It’s easier than you think! You may even be doing it already. According to Bonci, if you’re looking to get the most out of your superfood experience, all you have to do is include a few in one or more of your meals per day.
“The more superfoods, the merrier!” she told Delish. “My favorite superfood smoothie recipes is simple: berries, prunes, spinach, yogurt, and milk for breakfast.”
If you’re not a smoothie fan though, she suggests doing something as small as adding in extra veggies to your favorite spaghetti sauce recipe or even pureeing prunes to make them into a sauce for a pasta—it’ll add a rich and textured finish.
So there you have it, folks. Your introductory course to eating (and making the best!) of your new superfood obsession. If you’re still left wondering whether or not superfoods are for you, the answer is yes. Superfoods are for everyone!
