Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Home
My Blog
The Basics Nutrition
Protein
Carbohydrates
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
Fiber
Special Topics Food Supply
Weight Loss
Glycemic Index
Food Labels
Vegetarian
Vege Nutrition
Vege Tales
Recipes
Tips
Foods for Health Beans
Grains
Nuts & Seeds
Spices & Herbs
Superfoods
Chia Seed
Flax Seed
Turmeric
Healthy Food Shop
Small Bites of Healthy Eating Information Small Bites Home
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Avoid Osteoporosis
Body Mass Index
Cancer Prevention
Childhood Obesity
Complete Proteins
Diet  for Aging
Eating Guidelines
Empty Calories
 Fiber Foods
Food Additives
Food Label Terms
Food Poisoning
Good Carbs
Healthy Diet Benefits
Healthy Cooking
Healthy Grilling Tips
How to Avoid GMO's
Healthy Liver Diet
Indigestion
Low Glycemic Foods
Lower Cholesterol
Meatless Proteins
Magnesium Foods
Metabolic Syndrome
MUFAS
Names for MSG
Names for Sugar
Nutrition Facts
Organic Food
Osteoporosis Risk
Pesticides in Food
Protein Functions
Recovery Diet
Safe Temps
Trans Fat Foods
Weight Loss Tips
Specific Vitamins Vitamin A
Thiamin (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B6
Biotin
Folic Acid
Vitamin B12
Choline
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Specific Minerals Calcium
Chromium
Chloride
Copper
Fluoride
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Sodium
Sulfate
Zinc
Etc. Contact Us
About Me
Glossary
My Favorite Sites
Blog Archive
Links to Articles
Privacy Statement
Terms of  Use
More Topics 10 Healthy Tips
What are Carbs?
Breast Cancer
BMI Calculator
Super Foods
Benefits
Raw Eggs Danger
Trans Fats
Fatty Foods
Grilling Safety
Complete Protein
Good Carbs
Carbohydrate Foods
Chia Seeds
Glycemic Index Diet
Lower Cholesterol
Nutrition Tips
Eating Well
Food Label Parts
Monounsaturated Fat
Healthy Weight Loss
Outdoor Grilling
Pyridoxine
MSG
Salmonella
GMO
Food Tips
Healthy Eating Guide
Breakfast Food
Vegetarian Protein
Foodborne Illness
Nutritional Foods
Protein Foods
Protein Requirement
Green Potatoes
Protein Deficiency
Other Links
 

Healthy Eating Superfoods

Superfoods

Healthy Eating Superfoods

New term for special foods

There is a relatively new and increasingly popular term being used in the food vernacular. We had “foods"; then we had “healthy foods"; and now we have “super foods.” The question is what exactly makes a food “super"?

Photo of blueberries and pom

Healthy Eating Superfoods

“Phytos” will fight for you

Although not all health experts seem to agree on which foods, if any, reach the status of “super foods", most will say that vividly colored fruits and vegetables, along with several nuts, seeds, spices and herbs could fall into this category. Most of these foods contain a category of substances called phyto-nutrients, which appear to have a protective effect on your health.

What are we eating?

It is important to say here that if we were all eating lots of fresh, whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding many of the edible non-foods found on grocery store shelves and at fast food restaurants, the issue of super foods would probably not be as important. Having said that, it does appear that even within the realm of healthy foods, there is a special category of foods that have extra special properties that qualify them for super status.


Fun Fact: One analogy we could make between mere foods and their “super” counterparts would be to compare a mere “man” to “Superman". Unlike the average man, the man in blue tights has “super” powers, in that he is able to fly, has extraordinary strength and even x-ray vision. In the same way, super foods, in addition to having normal nutritional benefits, seem to have super powers in providing your body with extraordinary help in preventing sickness and disease.


Two categories of super foods

There are two types of foods that are often given super food status. One category is made up of foods that are generally easy to find in grocery stores, in restaurants and even in your own backyard garden. These are the foods you would probably recognize as part of an ordinary healthy diet.

Some examples of super foods in this category are:

Avocados
Blueberries
Broccoli
Beets
Cayenne pepper
Cinnamon
Coconut and Coconut oil
Dark chocolate
Flaxseed Click here for more information on Flaxseed.
Garlic
Ginger
Green tea
Pomegranates
Turmeric Click here for more information on Turmeric.
Walnuts
Wild Salmon

More exotic superfoods

Then there is another category of super foods that are more exotic and less easily obtainable, except through specialty websites or health food stores. These are foods that either are not commonly produced, or that only grow in very specific parts of the world. These include:

Acai
Chia seed Click here for more information on Chia seed.
Goji berries
Mangosteen
Noni juice


Caveat: Just because a food has been designated, as “super” does not mean that you should consume large amounts. If you decide to include any of these foods in your diet, eat them in moderation, as you would any food. In addition, if you are taking any medications, be sure to consult with your pharmacist or doctor regarding interactions.


Although most health experts would agree that you can be perfectly healthy without eating any of these super foods, it certainly can’t hurt to include some of them in your diet. Adding a bit of turmeric to your soups or some blueberries to your breakfast cereal can only improve your ability to be healthy and stay well.


Click here to go from Superfoods back to Healthy Eating Support home page.


How to Use This Site

BOOKMARK this site or add it to your Favorites.

Become an informed eater by clicking on the NUTRITION button and reading the general information there.

Check back whenever you have a question about your diet, meal planning, nutrition, specific foods or any healthy eating issues. Use the SITE SEARCH function to track down your particular concern.

Try some of the free recipes available on the site by clicking on the RECIPES button.

E-mail me if you can’t find what you are looking for, if you feel that any of the information on the site is not accurate, or just to say hello!

Click here to e-mail me.

footer for Superfoods page