Top 5 Superfoods

More so than ever, people have so much information at their fingertips. With a quick search on the internet, you can find out all you need to know about your health, diet, nutrition, and a multitude of other subjects and we do want to know everything. We like to help ourselves and by doing our own research we can find out how to improve our health and lose weight the right way. One thing I’m sure you’ve come across is what’s known as a ‘superfood’. Superfoods are foods which have so many health benefits, significantly more than other foods, that we all want and need to include them in our diet whenever possible.

Here are the Top 5 Superfoods that you need to be eating right now!

1. Acai Berry

The acai berry hasn’t been available in the US for long but now that it’s here, we should take the opportunity to enjoy its benefits. In addition to helping to speed up the metabolism, the acai berry has also been shown to help lower cholesterol, decrease the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer, and even increase the body’s natural energy levels. Research is still ongoing but the benefits of this little berry have been reported everywhere, including in respected medical journals. Out of all of the superfoods on this list, the acai berry is easily the most super of them all!

2. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Research has shown that American’s don’t eat anywhere near the recommend daily intake of vegetables. We need at least 5 servings of vegetables per day and at least 2 of them should be dark green leafy vegetables. Many dark greens such as collard, broccoli, kale, spinach, and chard are loaded with vitamins A & C as well as calcium, phyto-nutrients, and iron. If you are trying to lose weight, dark green veges are typically very filling and high in fiber which means they are an excellent choice to keep you feeling full and reduce your desire to snack between meals.

3. Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, plus it’s delicious. Fatty fish such as salmon should be eaten at least twice per week according to a 2002 study by the American Heart Association. It’s great for reducing your cholesterol and promotes healthy skin and hair.

4. Walnuts

Walnuts are arguably one of the best plant sources of protein that exists. They are incredibly rich in B vitamins, magnesium, fiber, and even antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Nuts in general are high in omega-3 fatty acids – and walnuts are no exception – which are essential in a healthy diet. In fact, walnuts have significantly higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids as opposed to many other types of nuts so choose walnuts ahead of other nuts where possible.

5. Flax Seed

Flax seeds are another excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and a top superfood. In addition to omega-3, many different studies have shown flax seeds to offer several healthy heart benefits. They are also high in fiber and lignin – which has shown promise in fighting many different types of diseases – including (most importantly) cancer. You can easily add flax seeds to your diet or take flax seed oil supplements on a regular basis.