We hope that you have gained some super powers from using our favourite super foods so far!
This is the last in our series, for more on super foods and how you can implement them into your everyday eating, grab your copy of From Peasants Food To Superfoods.
M A C A is high in iron, iodine, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1, B2, C, and E. It is full of amino acids and plant sterols which improve immune system and lower cholesterol. Maca is an energy food, and a powerful adaptogen. It can help enhance energy without being a stimulant. It is also able to increase libido and energy, and help decrease chronic fatigue, anxiety and stress, as well as enhancing fertility by normalising the hormones testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Perfect in smoothies with nuts and seeds, and sweet fruits like banana and dates due to its malty, earthy flavour that varies from butterscotch to radish-like depending on what it is accompanying.
M A Q U I contains anthocyanins, antioxidant levels 3 times higher than acai, vitamin C, has higher ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) levels than any other fruit discovered, is high in vitamin C, low in sugar, and one for one contains 10 times the amount of antioxidants in a blueberry. Add it to smoothies, juices, cereals, water, and yoghurt. It has a mild flavour and cannot be tasted in smoothies but gives a vibrant and intense violet colour.
M E S Q U I T E has a great mineral pro le including signi cant calcium and magnesium, high lysine, low GI (25), and high protein, making it a wonderful diet addition to keep full for longer or help with muscle recovery. It can also be used to assist weight loss by adding it to shakes.
Q U I N O A is high in lysine, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin E and B6, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. This little grain has more calcium than milk, as well as antioxidants, fibre, and iron. It is high in unsaturated fats, low carb and low GI. Quinoa is a complete food and high in protein, full of vitamins, gluten/wheat free, and cholesterol free.. Quinoa grains make a perfect substitute for rice, quinoa flakes can be used in place of oats, and quinoa flour is wonderful for gluten-free baking.
S P I R U L I N A is nature’s multi vitamin. Spirulina is jam packed with nutrients and helps the body to detox any heavy metals, as well as kill off any pathogenic bugs. It also improves energy and may assist with weight loss as is it so nutrient-dense.
T U R M E R I C is the ultimate anti-inflammatory food! Turmeric works in every part of the body to reduce inflammation. It can also move out excess fluid and encourages huge detoxing from the liver so that all toxins are sent out of your body. This may assist with weight loss goals as well.
VEGETABLE PROTEIN POWDER Although I am the biggest fan of a real food approach I do believe that good quality food based protein powder has a place. Rather than get pea or rice or another type of single plant based protein, look for a blend. Protein is essentially a chain of links we call amino acids. When we look at amino acids from animal sources such as eggs and meat, they are complete. This means they have all of the links in the chain. Plant proteins are often incomplete, missing a link or two. This means that they do not serve the body with a whole protein and therefore do not function as well in the body. This is why teaming foods together is important for vegetarians, or adding an animal product such as cheese or milk. Combining the right foods will deliver a complete protein from plant bases, such as eating almonds, brazil nuts and cashews all together. This can be done with plant protein powder as well. By using rice and pea protein, and adding some extra goodies such as chia and linseeds, it is a beautiful protein source. This is a much easier source of protein for the body to utilise than whey protein powder.
Thanks for being on this journey to uncover the superfood alphabet with us!
Keep on discovering new and ancient superfoods and their powers with our new cookbook, From Peasants Food To Superfoods.