Superfoods

Our Superfoods List

With so many health and fitness experts out there giving their own two cents on healthy diets, it’s good to know about superfoods that all of these experts agree on. You deserve a healthier and stronger body, and you don’t even have to drown yourself with supplements that aren’t even proven to work. 

Getting healthy should be an enjoyable and appetizing process, and momentum is the small hinge that swings big doors. The more results and improvement that you see, the more motivated you will become to follow the process.

You can improve your health starting today with our list of superfoods:

• Flaxseed
• Salmon
• Barlean’s Total Omega
• Almonds
• Avocados
• Berries
• Wheatgrass
• Egg Whites

More Details on the Top Superfoods

Flaxseed

Some say that flaxseed is the new wonder food because it has demonstrated benefits in helping reduce serious illnesses. Flaxseed is considered very powerful for one’s health because of its three major ingredients – lignans, fiber, and omega-3 essential fatty acids.

A great way to incorporate flaxseed into your diet is by including a tablespoon in your protein shake after a workout, or spreading over your yogurt. If you swallow a tablespoon straight, be ready with a glass of water as it will be a little dry and cumbersome. Best to buy “ground flaxseed” as its easier to consume, and you’ll probably need to purchase at your local health food store, like Whole Foods.

Calories: 1 tablespoon = 50 calories

Salmon

Salmon is classified as a fatty fish, and is all about healthy fats. Salmon is very delicious, easily accessible, and has also shown evidence of reducing the risk of various diseases. A great source of protein, potassium, and a number of key vitamins, salmon is also very rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon is healthy for you in just about every possible way: heart health, blood and circulation, anti-inflammatory, skin, complexion, and more. The only caveat….don’t overdo it. There are a few downsides to consuming too much salmon, but once or twice a week and you’re golden! (1)

A great way to prepare salmon is to grill it, or bake it. To bake it, follow these simple instructions:

1. Purchase an 8 oz salmon cut at your local grocery.
2. Place the salmon in a glass pan skin down, and pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the top. Use your spoon to spread the olive oil over the entire salmon. Flip the salmon over, and move it around the pan to spread the oil, then flip back over so the skin is down.
3. To season, sprinkle Old Bay (or your favorite seasoning) over the top of the salmon.
4. Put the oven on “Bake” at 375 degrees F to pre-heat.
5. Bake for 13-15 minutes at 375 degrees. If you like it a little more done, then cook for 15-17 minutes at 375.
6. When you eat the salmon, you will use a fork and remove each piece from the skin. So the skin will stay on your plate, and you don’t eat the skin.

Calories: 8 oz = 500 calories

Barlean’s Total Omega or Olive Oil

You may or may not have heard of Barlean’s Total Omega, so if you haven’t, you must definitely check it out. It is sold in most grocery stores, and is a super powerhouse superfood. This supplement is not only packed with omega-3 fatty acids, but also omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.

And it has a great taste to boot! It is much more palatable than a tablespoon of olive oil. When it becomes part of your daily routine, you will look forward to your tablespoon or two each morning!

It truly has too many health benefits to name, and if you include in your morning routine by taking 1 tablespoon, then you are on the path to your best self! It is fantastic for every part of you: skin, hair, heart, blood, and more.

It is also known to help lower levels of bad cholesterol, improve good cholesterol, and other health benefits. If you shoot for 1 or 2 tablespoons per day, you will receive really heavy duty health benefits from this miraculous oil. It will also improve your skin, heart health, and general wellness. It’s kinda tasty too!

Olive oil is also a very healthy oil, and is also a powerful superfood. It has many of the same health benefits, and can be used in cooking as an ideal alternative to butter. 

You can also consume a teaspoon or tablespoon, but it can leave an aftertaste so follow it with a glass of water.

When purchasing olive oil in your local grocery store, try to look for the following:

• Glass, dark bottle
• USDA Organic
• Estate Name (where the oil is from)
• “Best By” date if possible
• NO country of origin
• Choose a smaller bottle, as you want to use up within 60-90 days

These oils are super healthy, but heavy on calories, so always in moderation.

Calories: 1 tablespoon = 100 calories

Almonds

Eat them raw, toasted, or with your favorite salad and other meals and snacks. Almonds are one of the earliest known healthy foods with numerous health benefits. Research on the advantages of almonds dates back centuries! (2)

You’ll be surprised at the number of healthy ingredients a cup of raw almonds comes with, including protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, and a number of different vitamins. They are great for heart health, skin, circulation, and more. You can buy at any grocery store, and you should consider buying plain almonds, and not smoked or salted.

A great snack during the day is to put 10 almonds in a ziploc bag.

Calories: 10 Almonds = 60 calories

Avocados

Avocados are very delicious, and taste great even with main course dishes too! They offer a significant amount of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, which are not commonly found in other fruits. In fact, it is so rich with nutrients that it comes with close to 20 vitamins and minerals!

You can purchase at your grocery store, and the perfect time to purchase is when they have a slightly soft skin (but not mushy). Otherwise, they will be quite hard. They are a great, super healthy morning or afternoon snack. Just cut them in half, and you can use a spoon to eat them. Delicious. (3)

Also a great and healthy snack. Cut the avocado in half around the center seed, and put half in a ziploc bag. You’ll need a spoon to eat it. Put the other half in a ziploc bag and store it in the fridge for the next day.

Calories: 1 Avocado = 190 calories; 1/2 Avocado = 95 calories

Wheatgrass

You might know wheatgrass from a number of weight loss advertisements. It is popular because it truly works. More than just a good ingredient for those who wish to lose weight, wheatgrass is great as well for those who want to remain healthy. It comes with a number of different vitamins and minerals including amino acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Egg Whites

Contrary to what was once a popular belief that eggs could be unhealthy, especially for those with cholesterol problems, it has been found that cholesterol found in food doesn’t have a significant effect on one’s blood cholesterol levels.

So yes, eggs are safe to eat; and if you’re in doubt, it is always best to consult with your physician. And if you’re having eggs, it’s best to choose egg whites. Compared to the yolk, there’s more protein plus vitamin B2, B6, B12, D, selenium, copper, iron, and zinc found in the whites. So they also are a food powerhouse.

Calories: 6 Egg Whites = 150 calories

Berries

Berries are also packed with bountiful nutrition that the body loves. They are packed with health benefits, and here are our favorites:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries

A great way to eat blueberries, is to put 1 cup (8 oz) in a plastic cup (after washing under cold water), and “sip” them. Really delicious, and very healthy. 

Much the same with strawberries. Cut the very tops off (stem), then cut in half, and put 1 cup (8 oz) of the halves into a plastic cup, and “sip” them also.

Calories:
Blueberries: 1 cup = 100 calories
Strawberries: 1 cup = 60 calories

Health Benefits of Superfoods

Thanks to nature, there are plenty more superfoods to choose from if you truly want to up your game in the health department. In this day and age, healthcare premiums can be really expensive. More importantly, life is more enjoyable when you fuel your body with the healthiest foods on earth. The benefits are too many to count, but to name a few: heart health, skin health, blood/circulation, fitness, wellness, looks, longevity, and more. (4)

And most importantly, it’s a lot easier to stay healthy and avoid sickness. An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.

Learn more about the top fat-burning foods.