All About The Benefits Of Superfood Nutrition
Superfood is a word that has become buzz-worthy over the past few years but what is it and why is it important? Here at Betsy’s Best, we plan to answer that – and more. We will explain what a superfood is, what kinds of foods are considered superfoods, and why they are important to your health and nutrition. So relax, get comfortable, and learn all about this important information on how superfoods can change your life. And might we add that you can find plenty of interesting articles on superfood nutrition in our blog. For instance, how sunflower oil is the unsung cooking hero. Or, you might enjoy the many creative and tasty alternatives to peanut butter. If it’s about superfoods, we have plenty to learn.
What Is a Superfood?
Superfoods are simply plant-based and sometimes fish and dairy that are not only good for you, but packed with nutritional value. Even more so than other healthy foods. According to Live Science:
Superfoods contain a variety of nutrients, such as antioxidants, which are thought to ward off cancer. They also have healthy fats, thought to prevent heart disease; fiber, thought to prevent diabetes and digestive problems; and phytochemicals — the chemicals in plants responsible for deep colors and smells, which can have numerous health benefits. Consuming foods that are packed with nutrients (as many so-called superfoods are) is certainly a good idea.
And while there isn’t one magic food that can change your life, these superfoods have benefits that make them a standout. They are packed with the most nutrition with the least amount of calories. They include foods that have the most antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Why Are They Important For Your Health?
As mentioned, these foods have all the things you want, without the things you don’t need – like empty calories. There have been studies indicating that these superfoods have a high amount of flavonoids and antioxidants. Both of which help prevent coronary heart disease and cancer, as well as improving immunity and decreasing inflammation. They’re good for maintaining weight when eaten along with a balanced diet, and they may even help with things like energy levels, complexion, hair, and nails. That why we choose as many superfood items as possible when sharing delicious recipes, as well as what goes into our seed and nut butters. In fact, here is a post we wrote about sunflower seeds in our superfoods section.
What Are Examples of Superfoods?
There are quite a few superfoods that you can easily incorporate into your diet. Here are just a few you might like.
Nuts are is a type of superfood that everyone is familiar with, and we love using them in our seed and nut butters here at Betsy’s Best. Nuts include healthy fats and minerals. One thing to keep in mind is that they should always be consumed in moderation. They are incredibly tasty, but they are a little higher in calories than some of the other superfoods.
Blueberries are another well-known superfood. They have a lot of phytochemicals, vitamins, and soluble fiber. While other berries are high in these components too, blueberries seem to steal the spotlight. And besides, they’re quite delicious, so it’s a win/win for everyone.
Kale is another ingredient that is extremely popular – and for good reason. Along with other leafy greens like spinach, collards, mustard, and Swiss chard, kale has calcium, fiber, minerals, and vitamins like vitamins A, C and K. It’s easily made into smoothies or pairs with your favorite dishes like chicken. And of course, it’s great as a salad ingredient.
According to Harvard Health:
Whole grains are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, whole grains also contain several B vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease and diabetes.
Salmon and other fish like sardines, mackerel and other fatty fish have plenty of superfood potential. They contain a heart-healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids that may help lower the risk of heart disease. Some may worry about mercury but the benefits of eating these kinds of fish are far preferable to any risk otherwise.
Olive oil is something you can eat on salads or cook with and it’s full of components that help against the risk of heart disease. Like monounsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and vitamin E. It’s perfect as a dressing for things like rice dishes and you can easily use it instead of margarine or butter.
Other superfoods include things like yogurt, beans, spirulina, garlic, barley, beets, wheat grass, and more.
These superfoods can be incorporated into your diet easily. Choose blueberries and nuts as a snack, use kale in your salads, substitute olive oil for dressings – and the list goes on.
The best thing about these superfoods is that while they are good for you, they taste great also. Whether it’s a yummy grilled salmon with olive oil or a handful of nuts and berries, this food is fun, tasty, versatile, and healthy.
Why We Use Superfoods
Here at Betsy’s Best, we strive to create nut and seed butters that have all of the nutritional value you need and with a taste that is totally crave-worthy. Betsy is a registered Dietitian and uses her knowledge to create products that focus on healthy eating that is fun and tasty.
For instance, our almond butter supports balanced blood sugar, it is rich in antioxidants, good for your bone health, and lowers bad cholesterol. Along with that, we use ingredients like cinnamon, chia seeds, Himalayan pink salt, and organic honey. Not only is it naturally sweet, but it has plenty of the almond superfoods in it. And of course, everything is non-GMO and totally organic. We don’t even add extra sweeteners! This gourmet almond butter will delight your taste buds and give you a healthy option for you and your family – whether it’s snacks or in recipes.
We also like to share as much information as possible about the wonderful benefits of superfoods. There is so much to learn and we aim to share recipes, supply information, and teach you as much as possible. Betsy’s Best has blog categories on quite a few amazing things and starting at the superfoods nutrition area is a place to learn more about why they’re good for you, tastes great, and has a wealth of benefits.
Stay tuned to this blog if you want to know more about super superfood nutrition!
Things To Grill: 10 Best Things to Grill This Summer
Now that the warmer months are finally upon us, most of us are just pining for some tasty food fresh off the grill. Especially for those of us who live in cooler climates, the spring, and summer months are the only chance you have to throw barbecues and enjoy that...
Everything You Need to Know About Dogs and Almond Butter
We love our furry friends and only want the best for them. While your dog may want to eat everything he sees, the important thing is knowing what is good for him and what needs avoiding. One thing that dogs seem to absolutely love are nut butters. From peanut butter...
Rice Crispy Treats: Perfect for Every Occasion!
Delicious, easy to make, and healthy. Two of those words describe Rice Krispy Treats, and one is a bit of a stretch! Traditional Rice Krispy snacks are one of America's favorite sweet snacks, but is there a low-sugar alternative? After all, you probably want to keep...
Picnic Food: 10 Perfect Dishes for Your Next Picnic
When you're sitting under glorious sunshine on a spring or summer day, surrounded by the beauty of nature and in the company of good friends, almost any food tastes just that much better. But not every food is suitable for a picnic. Planning an al fresco feast, in...
Sunflower Oil – The Unsung Cooking Hero
Experts have spilled plenty of ink about which cooking oil is healthiest. In the early 2000s, people began to turn their attention toward oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids, like avocado, coconut, and extra-virgin olive oil. But all this fuss has left one unsung hero in...
10 Recipes to Treat Mom This Mother’s Day
A homemade brunch is a delightful way to treat the mom in your life this Mother's Day. As the most leisurely of meals, a shared brunch is the perfect way to spend time together while enjoying delicious foods, whether sweet or savory, light and healthy or perhaps a...
The Top 10 Amazing Benefits of Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil goes into a lot of yummy recipes. What you may not know is that sunflower oil has a wealth of nutritional benefits. Here are the top 10 amazing benefits of sunflower oil and how great it is for all your recipes. Where Does Sunflower Oil Come From? Who...
Creative and Tasty Substitutes for Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is something you'll find in most households. It's perfect for dips, sandwiches, making recipes, and straight off of the spoon. Yet, not everyone can eat peanut butter due to allergies. And, there are a few people out there who don't like the taste of...
Delicious Nut-Free Spread Alternatives to Almond Butter
Peanut butter is a truly exceptional food - it's delicious, healthy and versatile, equally at home in sandwiches, sauces, cookie dough, and on a spoon straight from the jar. It's safe to say there's nothing else quite like it, but that doesn't mean there aren't any...
A Natural and Healthy Touch of Added Sugar
Even a touch of added sugar has become a no-no in some restrictive diets. A mention of the “S” word - S*U*G*A*A*R - can cause an uproar in the low-carb diet crowd! Sugar quickly became the “it” word for a diet disaster just like fats, hydrogenated oils, salt, HFCS...
Do Sunflower Seeds Provide Healthy Carbohydrates? | Betsy’s Best
The average cup of sunflower seeds contains 28 grams of carbs. At first glance, that may seem like a lot. That same cup contains roughly 72 grams of fat and 29 grams of protein. Do those nutrition facts mean sunflower seeds are really good--or really bad? Here's a...
Is Cashew Butter A Healthy Snack?
Is Cashew Butter A Healthy Snack? In recent years, nut butters have finally earned their space on the grocery store shelf. While peanut butter remains a delicious staple, alternative nut butters are getting attention also--and for good reason. Cashew butter is one of...
4 Reasons You Should Start Eating Nut Butters Today
"Seeds and nuts are indispensable for cardiovascular health. The protective properties of nuts against coronary heart disease were first recognized in the early 1990s, and a strong body of literature has followed, confirming these original findings." -- Joel Fuhrman,...
Your Guide to Almond Butter vs Peanut Butter
Think back to your childhood and peanut butter was most likely a prevalent part of growing up. And if you are reading this, you most likely have peanut butter in your kitchen right now. Times change and almond butter is a rising star in the world of nut butters. But...
How To Make Chocolate Dipped Apples
Are you wondering how to make chocolate dipped apples? Apples, a superfood fruit, sure are good for you, so why not turn them into a delicious and healthy dessert. Dipping them into a relatively low-sugar dark chocolate provides the perfect contrast between sweet and...