6 Superfoods You Can Mix With Just About Anything

Eating tons of fruits and vegetables is a great place to start, but for those days when you don’t have enough, add in these versatile superfoods.
I’m all about gradually amping up your nutrition and taking a few steps at a time to add more nutrient density to your diet. The steps that we take overnight are the steps that never last. If you want to look and feel your best, consider loading your diet up with antioxidants. And one of the easiest ways to load your diet up with antioxidants is to consume superfoods.
What are superfoods? While there’s no regulated definition for the term, it generally applies to plant foods where the nutritional benefits outweigh the number of calories.
1. Spirulina
To remind you how healthy your food is, spirulina turns it bright green. And for kids, this can be lots of fun because instead of sugary green icing or jelly beans, they can still eat healthy…and green. Add spirulina to smoothies, fresh juices, popcorn, salad dressing, trail mix bars, ice cream, and pizza. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that’s a great source of B-vitamins, protein, and iron.
2. Chia seeds
Chia seeds provide a natural source of energy. They’re subtle, versatile, and rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and protein. They expand to 12 times their own weight in liquid, which makes them an ideal source of hydration and they curb your appetite. Add them to water and let them expand before a long run. Also, add them to brownies, cookies, granola, salads, stir fries, and smoothies. Even combine them with coconut milk to make a fantastic pudding.
3. Wheat grass powder
For those days that I overindulged the night before, I’ve been known to take wheat grass shots. That’s because they’re loaded with nutrients that make you feel good. Wheat grass is a concentrated source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids. And in the powder form you can add it to all kinds of recipes like fresh juice, oatmeal, salad dressing, or protein bars.
4. Cacao powder
It’s super dark, dark chocolate–what you’re looking for when you buy it in the bar form. Cacao powder comes with an abundance of antioxidants, magnesium, and iron. Bake with it or add it to super food smoothies and ice cream. Yum!
5. Turmeric
Turmeric has been known to kill cancer cells. It’s also known for staving off heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. I add it to all sorts of curried dishes, cous cous, Indian dishes, Moroccan dishes, casseroles, and fritatas. It even turns my tofu scramble yellow. This is one of my favorite super foods.
6. Spinach
I buy organic frozen spinach. After defrosting and draining, it becomes an ingredient in lasagna, gratins, stuffed shells, creamed spinach, and so much more. It’s an easy and inexpensive source of zinc, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, and folate. This one may be old school but it doesn’t mean it’s not a superfood.
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