Superfoods are undoubtedly making their way onto our shopping list. Recent years has seen the emergence of the likes of sweet potato, kale, and quinoa. However, sometimes healthy eating can be costly and is it actually worth the extra money you spend? And what exactly is a superfood? Well, to be a superfood a product must give a high quantity of nutritional value and antioxidants.
Crocus bulbs supplier, Suttons, take a look at what should be on your next shopping list.
Sweet potato
We all love sweet potato, as they taste extremely similar to regular ones, but healthier! Jam-packed with carbohydrates, minerals and antioxidants, this orange tuber is a great source of potassium. This, according to studies, aids muscle tissue repair and can help prevent fatigue in your muscles. Their fibre content is higher than the average potato and, when combined with the likes of magnesium, the sweet potato can help improve your digestion. Elsewhere, they are an effective remedy to curing congestion of the nose, which can help relieve asthma and treat bronchitis. Other benefits are said to include a boost immune system, helping to cure stomach ulcers, and maintaining the body’s water balance.
If you want to put your gardening skills to the test, you could always grow your own! Save money and switch to a healthier potato: what’s not to love?
Quinoa
If you’re not digging quinoa yet, you will be soon. Featuring all 10 essential amino acids, quinoa is understood to be a complete protein which can help your muscles repair. Due to it being a complex carbohydrate, offering 46 grams each cup, it provides longer lasting energy. As well as being gluten free, quinoa is higher in fibre than most grains, but unfortunately, it’s not all soluble fibre. It has a low glycemic index which can help be part of a lower calorie intake.
Many people like to create spinach and mushroom quinoa, put your kitchen skills to the test!
Sardines
If you’re looking to switch up your lunch, sardines are a good option. The little nutrient powerhouse may provide a strong scent that smacks you in the face, but they can go a long way in helping to reduce inflammation and promoting bone, heart, and skin health.
Forget milk, these have more calcium! As well as this they are high in vitamin D and, like avocado, have a great omega 3 fatty acid profile. Some of its great qualities include immune-boosting properties due to its high amount of selenium. This is normally found on its skin, so don’t go skinning this fish! The skin also helps your skin, aiding conditions such as psoriasis.
A recipe to rely on could be fresh sardines on toast with sweet pickled red onion.
Mango
As a quick-digesting carb, mangos are the perfect addition to any meal. It’s bursting at the seams with over 20 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is thought by many to be one of the tastiest ways to support a healthy lifestyle. The fruit can rapidly boost your energy at a time when your body needs it.
Add some flavour to your next salad with mango! A great way to get the most out of the mango in a tasty, light and cheap dinner.
Avocado
Avocado is a fruit that can be paired with almost anything. It’s becoming more of a major player in restaurant menus due to its easily adaptable approach to recipes. It offers a host of vitamins, including A, C, D, E and K, as well as folic acid, magnesium, potassium, Omega 3, lutein, and fibre.
Did you know that it’s full of Omega 3? As a result, it can help reduce cholesterol. The grease can be used instead of butter or oil when cooking and the actual flesh can also be used to create hair and face masks. Super, right?
With so much goodness to offer, these superfoods don’t have to be part of an expensive recipe and by researching meals, you can incorporate into your diet without adding too much cost to your weekly shop.
This article will look at whether organic really is better and also list meals that the superfoods can be used in to avoid the costs spiralling.
