Superfoods True~False

         

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Let’s talk about Superfoods. Superfood is a word that is flashed all over the health and fitness industry. But few people know things like, “What qualifies a superfood? How to incorporate superfoods in their diets, or simply what are superfoods?

First things first superfood is defined as a term to be used in various contexts. For example, it is sometimes used to describe food with high nutrient or phytochemical content that may confer health benefits, with few properties considered to be negative, such as being high in saturated fats or artificial ingredients, food additives or contaminants. The word phytochemical caught my attention right off the bat. Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants (phyto means “plant” in Greek), are responsible for color and organic properties, such as the deep purple of blueberries and smell of garlic. The term is generally used to refer to those chemicals that may have biological significance, for example antioxidants, but are not established as essential nutrients. Scientists estimate that there may be as many as 10,000 different phytochemicals having the potential to affect diseases such as cancer, stroke or metabolic syndrome (obesity).

That said, there are many foods that qualify Amaranth, Sacha Inchi, Quinoa, Goli Berry, Papain to name a few. These plants are grown all over the world, and each possess powerful nutrients that aid in digestion, alertness, and stamina. American markets are starting to distribute more and more of these crops at their markets. The growing demand has also spawned products that contain multiple servings of nutrient enriched superfoods. Shakeology, to name one. There is no magic bean that makes you lose weight and feel better, but there are foods out there that can help you achieve your weight loss and nutrition goals. I suggest you research to find how you can bring these crops home. You can start by asking your local produce market expert, but I think checking into Shakeology on the TriJake site is a better source for research. A big question asked to me is, “Is the superfood a superfad?” I say, no. The reason why these foods come from less developed countries is because the soil they grow in is more rich with nutrients because of less toxins and pollution. More information on the harvesting process can be found at trijake.com.

As an endurance athlete I am always fueling my body, and superfoods provide a big bang for the buck to keep me fueled. I always start my day with a shake and then graze throughout the day on stuff like chia seed, sweet potato, quinoa, and sacha inchi. I love food and love trying new foods. As our world gets smaller more and more products are available. It’s fun to shop around and try new stuff that makes you feel better. Ever advancing, seeking a pure life. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and it’s Super!!

~TriJake