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In todays world of wanting to improve our overall health and be physically fit, we sometimes run across the name “Superfood“.
What is a Superfood?
There are several definitions of a Superfood. My take on it is that it is any given food that is mostly plant based but also some fish and dairy products that promotes health and well-being more than most other foods. These are dense with vitamins and nutrients and promote all the goodness that food can provide to the human body. They also carry antioxidants that may reduce risk of cancer. Examples of a Superfood may be some you are familiar with. Keep in mind there are many foods considered Superfoods. People in other countries may consider a California orange a superfood if they don’t have oranges in their local. By the same token some companies promote or sell products in North America that are loaded with plant or other ingredients we aren’t familiar with and are promoted as “Superfoods“. Here are some you are probably familiar with and can find in your local supermarket or specialty food store:
- strawberries or blueberries
- kale, turnip greens or various spinach types
- salmon and sardines or other omega 3 rich foods
- Almonds and other nuts
- whole grains (uncut)
- some ocean and waterborne plants
What is a Superfood Supplement?
Before we can ask “What are the Best Superfood Supplements” we need to discuss what they are. Superfood supplements (sometimes called green powders) are powders or juices that are made from the fruit and vegetables of that have highly concentrated amounts of the vitamins and nutrients known to be good for one’s health. They sometimes consist of a limited type of fruit, vegetable or mix of both selected to target deficiencies or areas of the body. The liquid form is generally a drinkable form ready to go. The powdered form in some case can be taken by itself or is mixed with some type of liquid or juice of your liking or one recommended by the maker or the product.
Superfood suppliments unlike regular supplements in natural (organic) but not synthetic (chemically created) like a vitamin supplement. Both have value and sometimes target the same areas as the plants themselves. (see my previous article on about fruit and vegetable supplements “Natural of Synthetic – Which is Best” posted Sept. 3, 2019.
What is the Difference Between a Superfood and the Supplement?
Superfoods are described in the paragraph above this one. When some of these foods are eaten or prepared you are not only getting the vitamin, mineral, and nutrients in those plants but also some ingredients that are not the actual ingredient needed such as water, leaves, stems, seeds, etc. In some cases the amount of food eaten has filled you up before you get the desired amount of the good stuff you wanted from eating it in the 1st place.
This is where the supplements come in. Most suppliments today are in a concentrated form. In the case of organic or natural supplements the fruit and vegetables are dehydrated (dried out) then ground into a powder. Other methods are freeze drying which removes the moisture from the plant without, affecting the nutritional contents of the plant or fruit.
In many cases synthetic supplements can have much more of the vitamins and nutrients required daily then eating the actual fruit or vegetable itself. However, read my article posted Sept 3 in which I mention how supplements do not always react or digest in a person’s system the same as natural or organic may.
What are the Best Superfood Supplements to take?
With so many Superfood Supplements on the market today it is hard to determine which is the best one out there not to mention which one is right for you. It is best to review the supplements ingredients and decide or speak with your Doctor or a nutritionist to get his or her opinion on what you might need to supplement. Generally speaking a superfood supplement containing high concentrates of iron are common and found in the green leafy vegetables so these might be considered. Sometimes supplements also are in a liquid form and may contain vitamins such as C which comes from normal foods like carrots or spinach. Some superfood supplements also may contain antioxidants which may reduce aging and improve complexion. Others are used for targeting the immune system to reduce the chances for getting the flu or other more serious infections or diseases. The list goes on and for what is available for each individual person.
My take on the Superfood Diet
The more get deeper and deeper into researching Superfoods I am finding the more I think I know about them the more I learn that I didn’t know at all. I have learned more about how these foods react with different parts of the human body, be it adding more energy, improve stamina, reduce aging, booster the immune system, improve bone strength, and the list goes on and on.
On thing that I see that makes it difficult to decide what to buy is that there are so many brands to choose from all promising they have the magic formula you need. I think the answer lies somewhere in what I once again call “Mom was Right”.
The more mentioned in my previous article growing up at the dinner table we would always have a variety of different foods with our meal. There was meat of some kind, green vegetables, corn or potatoes, breads, fruit salad, onions, tomatoes, and well you get the picture. Don’t forget living in Texas there was always iced tea. Unfortunately I was a meat and potatoes person and my taste buds didn’t master the art of eating asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts and such when I was younger. My mom always said you need to eat those things too. She would say they ave lots of iron and vitamins to make you a senior and healthy. Now being a senior aged adult all I want to do is eat those same things I hated when I was young.
I am a believer that we should always try to eat something from all the food groups. If we want to make sure we got all the things we need in our diet but are not sure then take some Superfood Supplements to be sure you get what you need in an area you feel you are lacking. Try some until you find something that works for you.
