One day belated, but happy October y’all! It really is a fabulous month in my opinion. This October also marks the 10th (of twelve) month of my IIN Health Coaching program. Graduation in December is going to be here in the blink of an eye!
Last night, as I was catching up on coursework, I came across my notes on superfoods from earlier in the curriculum. The word superfood is thrown around a lot, especially if you’re heavily absorbed in all things wellness as I am. Food is super (delicious), but what are “superfoods” by definition?
“Superfoods are…
a class of the most potent, super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the planet. Superfoods have the ability to tremendously increase the vital force and energy of one’s body, and are the optimum choice for improving overall health – boosting the immune system, elevating serotonin production, enhancing sexuality, cleansing, lowering inflammation, and alkalizing the body.”
When I think of superfoods, I think blueberries, kale, and sweet potatoes. Here are nine superfoods that may be new to you!
Top 9 Superfoods
1 // Cacao (Raw Chocolate)
Cacao is the highest antioxidant food on the planet. Raw chocolate improves cardiovascular health, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, elevates your mood and energy, and increases longevity.
2 // Goji Berries
Gogi berries are regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and potency food of the highest order. They contain 18 kinds of amino acids, up to 21 trace minerals, vitamins B and E, and high amounts of antioxidants and iron.
3 // Maca
Maca contains 5x more protein than a potato and 4x more fiber. It increases energy, endurance, strength, and libido. Dried maca powder contains more than 10% protein (nearly 20 amino acids).
4 // Raw Hemp Products
Hemp seeds (a.k.a hemp hearts) are packed with 33% pure digestible protein; they are rich in iron, amino acids, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
>> Try my Pick-Me-Up Power Bar recipe, made with hemp!
5 // Spirulina & Blue-Green Algae
Spirulina is the world’s highest source of complete protein at 65% (beat that beef!); it provides a vast array of minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes. Blue-green algae is a wild-grown superfood that is made up of 15% blue pigmented phycocyanin, which may increase our internal production of stems cells (source: Primordial Food).
>> Spirulina: Health Benefits & How To Get More In Your Diet
6 // Bee Products
Bee pollen contain nearly all B vitamins, B-9 (Folate) in particular and all 21 amino acids, making it a complete protein. Honey, it its organic/wild, raw, unfiltered state, is rich in minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and enzymes; it’s the most complete food found in nature.
<< local bee pollen sprinkled on a spring salad >>
7 // Camu Berries
The camu berry is the highes vitamin C source on the planet -move over, OJ! It’s excellent for rebuilding tissue, purifying blood, and enhancing immunity and energy. It’s said to be one of the best anti-depressants, immune building and eye-nourishing superfoods in the world.
8 // Sea Vegetables (Kelp, Dulse, Nori)
Rich in life-giving nutrients draw in from the ocean and sun, sea veggies help remove heavy metals, detoxify the body of radioactive iodine, provide trace minerals, regulate immunity, and decrease cancer risk. Seaweeds are especially excellent for the thyroid, immune system, adrenals, and hormone function.
9 // Medicinal Mushrooms
High in polysaccharides and super immune enhancing components, medicinal mushrooms are one of the most adaptogenic herb/superfoods on the planet. They have been proven effective in healing cancer.
Source: This information is from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition curriculum; adapted from David Wolfe.
Do you eat any of the aforementioned superfoods?
What superfoods do you enjoy regularly?
IIN & Health Coaching
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Hey! I love this post!! It’s informative without being too wordy! You should do a guest post on my blog sometime, I would love that!
I love what you are doing with your business too — way to go!
Great list! I wrote a post a while back about superfoods we may not actually know are superfoods. ‘Ordinary’ things like broccoli, garlic, and pumpkin that we tend to eat without realizing exactly how good they actually are for us.
It’s good to find new things once in a while though, and there are about 3 or 4 on your list that I have yet to check out. So thanks for sharing!
Fantastic post! I feel like there are so many articles floating around these days about superfoods, and I think this is such an easy read and a great breakdown. I had no idea maca contained 10% protein. Thanks for bringing light to these awesome superfoods. I currently eat goji berries and raw cacao in one meal or another daily. I have heard great things about maca, so I want to try that and medicinal mushrooms next.