Superfoods
Dr. Steven Pratt, M.D. proposed the concept of a ‘superfood’ in his book SuperFoodsRx. His premise is simple, namely, that some foods are dramatically better than others for our health and longevity. Superfoods are foods that have a high nutrient density. Superfoods give you a diverse combination of unusually high amounts of vitamins, minerals, fibre, amino acids, good fats like monounsaturated or polyunsaturatedfats,antioxidants, and nutritious phytonutrients (plant compounds) like polyphenols.
A superfood could be a berry, like the goji berry; a nut, like the walnut; or a seed like the chia seed. We stock a wide range of quality superfoods. Keep reading for more information on why these foods are super and for some tempting serving suggestions.
Please note that RI refers to ‘reference intake’, the term replacing ‘guideline daily amount’.
Barley grass powder is a rich source of protein, minerals including potassium, calcium and iron and vitamins including many of the B vitamins and vitamin C.
- Mix barley grass powder with water or into shakes and smoothies for a highly nourishing drink.
- Mix into rice milk or almond milk for a delicious, low fat dairy-free smoothie — a refreshing alternative for people with lactose intolerance.
- Fold into omelettes, soufflés, pancakes and crêpes.
- Mix into dips and serve with raw vegetable crudités.
- Sprinkle into yoghurts and over your cereal.
Cacao nibs are unprocessed crushed cacao beans. Cacao nibs are chock full of nutritional gems such asflavanols. Flavanols are antioxidants and are thought to have a range of health benefits, especially for cardiovascular health. For example, flavanols may have a beneficial effect on LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, blood pressure and for platelets, making them less ‘sticky’ and possibly reducing the risk of blood clots.
- Sprinkle a tablespoon over your muesli or granola and use cacao nibs to add crunch to yourporridge.
- Add to breads, biscuits and muffins.
- Substitute as a sugar-free alternative to chocolate drops.
- Blend with banana, dairy or rice or almond milk for a crunchy, nutritious super-shake.
Chia seeds are a rich source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats),minerals, vitamins, fibre, protein and antioxidants.
- Use to make a healthy and low-fat dip by adding along with fresh herbs to cottage cheese.
- Add to fresh fruit smoothies and shakes for a healthy and refreshing mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
- Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons onto your muesli or granola or porridge to make a good thing even better.
- Add to a dukkah mix and serve with warm garlic sourdough sticks dipped in extra virgin olive oil.
Goji berries are dense with micronutrients and give you an abundance of antioxidants. Gram for gram, goji berries have more vitamin C (an antioxidant) than some oranges, and more beta-carotene (vitamin A) than carrots.
- For plump, moist goji berries, rehydrate in your favourite fruit juice and eat as a healthy snack throughout the day.
- Blend into, or use whole in raw fruit smoothies.
- Sprinkle a handful onto your porridge, muesli or granola.
- Add whole or roughly chopped to salads.
- Use with your favourite dried fruits, nuts and sees to make a trail mix that suits your taste buds exactly.
- Add whole goji berries to add texture to a smooth fruit coulis.
Hemp Protein Powder
Our hemp protein powder is an excellent source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Mix with water or into fruit shakes and smoothies for a highly nourishing drink.
- Mix into rice milk or almond milk for a delicious, low-fat, dairy-free smoothie — a refreshing option for people with lactose intolerance.
- Fold into omelettes, soufflés, pancakes and crêpes.
- Mix into dips and serve with raw vegetable crudités.
- Sprinkle into yoghurts and over your porridge, muesli or granola.
Maca powder is rich in minerals, vitamins, protein, antioxidants and fibre.
- Mix with water or into fruit shakes and smoothies for a highly nourishing drink.
- Mix into rice milk or almond milk for a delicious, low fat dairy-free smoothie — a refreshing option for people with lactose intolerance.
- Fold into omelettes, soufflés, pancakes and crêpes.
- Mix into dips and serve with raw vegetable crudités.
- Sprinkle into yoghurts and over your cereal.
The health benefits of walnuts are far ranging so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call walnuts a ‘supernut’. Besides being packed with protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins, walnuts are unique because they contain the highest amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a heart-healthy omega-3 essential fatty acid of all the tree nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids have many positive effects on your cardiovascular health including helping to prevent dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Just four walnuts a day — just four! — can positively affect your ALA levels.
- Sprinkle a few walnut halves or pieces on your muesli, granola or porridge.
- Have a small handful of walnuts as a convenient and healthy snack.
- Use along with (or instead of) pine nuts to make the perfect pesto.
- Add to salads for ‘bite’ and a nutty flavour.
- Add to your favourite seeds, dried fruits and other nuts to make a bespoke trail mix.
Wheatgrass Powder
Wheatgrass powder is rich in chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals and gives you all of the 8 essential amino acids.
- Mix with water or into fruit shakes and smoothies for a highly nourishing drink.
- Mix into rice milk or almond milk for a delicious, low fat, dairy-free smoothie — a refreshing option for people with lactose intolerance.
- Fold into omelettes, soufflés, pancakes and crêpes.
- Mix into dips and serve with raw vegetable crudités.
- Sprinkle into yoghurts and over your cereal.
- Mix with crushed avocado, chilli, raw spring onion and fresh lime juice to make a super-healthyzingy guacamole.
- Mix with low-fat frozen yogurt to make a low-fat dessert.
- Mix with pine nuts, a few roasted sesame seeds, finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley and coriander, garlic and rapeseed oil to make a vibrant, nutrient-dense pesto.