So when we hear the word ‘diet’, we often think deprivation, right? No surprises there! 7 days with nothing but fruit and vegetable juices until we never want to see another carrot or apple! Cut out those carbs and suddenly we’re desperately lusting after the doughy treats in the local bakery… Why is the smell of freshly baked bread so seductive, gosh dammit?! But a diet rich in superfoods is something else altogether. It’s ultimately a total mind-shift in the kitchen, towards ourselves and our bodies. And no, it’s not about doing whatever it takes to make that cruel scale seem more forgiving. It’s about nourishing our bodies with nutrient rich foods that will have us feeling tip top in no time. And once the body has what it truly needs, say goodbye to the sugar cravings and late night take-out. It’s simple but true… Once the body knows better, it wants better.
So why not rise to the dawn of a new day and break the fast with a bowl of gluten-free rolled oats, sprinkled with seeds and a smattering of walnuts… While you’re at it, throw in some berries. Nuts are one of the best sources of heart-healthy unsaturated fats. And berries, besides being delicious, provide the fibre needed for a happy digestive system. Rough night after work on a Friday? Then some Mexican eggs with red onion and peppers or chopped up cherry tomatoes might be just the thing. Eggs are packed with protein, as well as high in selenium, vitamin D, B12, biotin and minerals like zinc and iron. Affordable and every-day, but so very good for us. Add some avo slices, and your cure-in-a-meal is packed to the hilt with the nutrients to get you back to feeling human. It all sounds pretty yum, doesn’t it?
With a diet rich in superfoods, the choices are many. You can either go all out, stocking up that larder with almond and coconut flours, nut butters, and chia and hemp seeds, or do it on a more constrained budget eating pretty much readily available kitchen ingredients. Beans, oranges, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and plain yoghurt are all easy enough to find at the local grocery store and will keep the purse strings in check. It’s really up to you. That’s the beauty of it. Even tea, common to every home, has been shown in studies to possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and diabetes. And what could be more refreshing than a jug of ice tea on a warm Summer’s day? Oh and let’s not forget spinach! Popeye was on to a winning formula with this leafy green. Rich in vitamins A, C and K, spinach is also a great source of calcium, potassium, magnesium and folate (a water soluble vitamin B), making it ideal for young strapping boys and expecting mothers alike.
So why wait until your health takes a turn for the worst to visit the doctor for a quick fix? The food we eat, day in and day out, is meant to sustain us. It’s meant to keep us going strong. So pause. Come up for air. Create a temple of your body. Ultimately, a diet packed with truly good food, in the most honest sense of the word, is the preventative measure we can put in place starting today. Simply ask yourself one question: do you long to live a fulfilling and energised life? If the answer is yes, you might be only a mouthful away.
For further reading, we highly recommend 500 Superfood Dishes by Beverley Glock
Date Published: 27 February 2017
