9 Superfoods to Boost Your Energy
Why eat Superfoods?
Imagine ingesting foods that could boost your mood and your energy, control your weight and keep you sharp, without side effects. “Superfoods” do this!
The benefit of superfoods is that they will have more nutrients than other similar foods you may already eat, so you will not always have to make big changes while having a bonus of more energy and better circulation after eating them for a few weeks. And they help protect against heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more.
Keep reading to find out what are the 9 Superfoods to boost your energy that you should definitely include in your diet.
Goji Berries
Known as a nutritional powerhouse, goji berries are considered a good source of dietary fibre. They are rich in anti-oxidants whose benefits include the ability to help you fight disease by improving immunity and increasing energy, effectively managing your weight, and experiencing better digestion. These berries are additionally known to promote a feeling of well-being and calmness while improving the quality of sleep.
Fun fact: The bright red colour of goji berries is obtained from the anti-oxidant zeaxanthin present in the berries which helps in reducing signs of early ageing.
Kale
A member of the cabbage family, kale is definitely one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant foods to add to your diet. Very high in antioxidants, kale is also rich in Vitamin C & K, and Beta-Carotene. The flavonoids in kale combine both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits in a way that gives it a leading dietary role concerning the prevention of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
Lentils
The most celebrated health benefits of lentils are their ability to lower cholesterol and increase heart health. The presence of high levels of soluble fibre helps in stabilising blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol, and also ensuring that you have a healthy digestive system, while folate and magnesium keep your heart healthy.
And, in addition to providing slow-burning complex carbohydrates, lentils can also increase your energy by replenishing iron stores.
Almonds
All nuts have a reputation of being energy-dense foods that are loaded with calories. Almonds are energy-dense too but compared to all other nuts, they are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components and are often recommended by dietitians as a part of a healthy diet.
The healthy mono-unsaturated fats in almonds are known to reduce the risk of heart disease while the dietary fibres, antioxidants, and vitamins ensure that your overall health is maintained. Additionally, almonds contain two vital brain nutrients riboflavin and L-carnitine, which have been shown to increase brain activity, resulting in new neural pathways and a decreased occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Quinoa
Quinoa’s popularity around the world as a health food is based on the fact that it is one of the few plant foods that contains all the nine essential amino acids. It is considered to be a good source of Vitamin E & B along with containing beneficial plant antioxidants called flavonoids.
A brilliant energy food to incorporate into your meals; quinoa is rich in protein, fibre, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium. This plant food is also known to increase metabolism, thereby keeping you active through the day.
To note: Quinoa is gluten-free so it works as a great food for those who are gluten-intolerant.
Salmon
Known to be an excellent source of Vitamin A & D and two blockbuster omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA, salmon is another superfood that increases your cardiovascular health, has the ability to combat osteoporosis and inflammatory joint conditions, and also aids in keeping tissues healthy by preventing cell damage.
Additionally, the carotenoid anti-oxidants of astaxanthin that are found in salmon add radiance to your skin. An important point to remember is that wild-caught salmon is always the best source of these nutrients and vitamins.
Avocado
This nutrient-dense fruit is great for a lot of reasons. It is rich in vitamins and minerals {iron, magnesium, and potassium; B-vitamins, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K} that help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and also prevents type-2 diabetes. Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocado slows digestion and helps keep blood sugar from spiking after a meal. And more importantly, it is a natural source of folic acid which aids in the production and maintenance of new cells.
Blueberries
The lovely colour of these berries, their exotic taste, and the ease with which they are available, makes blueberries a great superfood. Low in calories yet rich in antioxidants and energy-boosting nutrients and minerals, blueberries help in maintaining blood sugar levels, and aid in the prevention and control of coronary heart disease by ensuring that the ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body does not get oxidised, These berries are also known to lower blood pressure and improve memory, and can help you combat infections in the urinary tract.
All of these benefits are added to the fact that blueberries keep up your energy levels throughout the day.
Oats
There is no better way to join the fitness brigade than to start your day with oats. Known to help prevent adverse health conditions that are becoming increasingly common because of our present-day lifestyle, oats are rich in a unique anti-oxidant called Avenathramides, which helps in regulating blood sugar and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, a specific type of fibre known as beta-glucan is found in oats which is known to be very helpful in reducing cholesterol levels.
A good source of protein, oats are also loaded with important minerals like manganese, phosphorus, copper, and iron that can help you stay energetic through a hectic morning schedule.
There are numerous other superfoods that are great to add to your diet, but these are the ones I am using the most to boost my mood and energy levels. So, go ahead and give yourself a health boost with these 9 Superfoods to boost your energy for a Super New You!
What power foods give you that awesome mental and physical boost that you need to conquer the day! Please feel free to put down your valuable comments and feedback in the comments below.