Superfoods
Are You Eating Them?
I am always looking for delicious and healthy foods to feed my family, and I am sure you are too. Good nutrition plays a big part in overall health, and with Rory’s energy metabolism disorder, her special dietary needs become all the more important. When Peter Minkoff from High Style Life Magazine contacted me about writing a guest post about the Superfoods Trend, I was excited to accept.
So, now, please welcome Peter, and join with me in learning more about Superfoods.
Family Diet: Introducing the Superfoods
Health is a primary concern, especially when you have kids. One of the ways of achieving it is by having healthy diet habits. With today’s life pace, it seems hard to take time to care about a diet; still, most of us are constantly on the lookout for that special diet to solve our problems. You have probably heard about the popular culinary buzzword- superfoods. It does sound super, right? These are nutrients packed foods, rich with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fibers. The benefits of such foods go way beyond the ordinary “I eat because I am hungry.” Introducing the superfoods into your family diet will definitely make you and your family members healthier and happier.
Super Trend of Superfoods
Once again, the Internet has changed the way we think of food. Superfood is the term that appeared in a book “SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods that Will Change Your Life”, written by Steven G. Pratt, MD. Since then it exploded on the web. People started buying fruits and vegetables with super components. Not only that, apart from those 14 foods in the famous book, every now and then we discover new foodstuff (chia seeds, cacao, coconut flour, rice malt syrup) so packed with nutrients that they automatically qualify as super.
Health Benefits
Besides being full of minerals and vitamins, superfoods have many other benefits. They are very low in processed sugar and fat, but can still meet the body’s needs. Because they own certain phytochemicals and nutrients, superfoods can strengthen one’s immune system. This is a great natural way to protect the kids from catching a cold or flu. One of the best benefits for parents is this food’s ability to fight free radicals, and thus slow down the aging process. Good fats, fibers, and phytochemicals are also beneficial for the normal function of the heart. An amazing thing about these foods is that they can be high in calories, but low in “bad” nutrients, which works as a metabolism booster, while keeping hunger at bay. They are responsible for a glowing complexion and an increase in energy.
The Best Superfoods for Kids
Rosy-hued vegetables and fruits (tomato, guava, watermelon, etc.) are rich with lycopene, which protects the skin from sun damage and strengthens the heart. Beta-carotene, which can be found in orange fruits and vegetables, improves the vision. Oatmeal is rich with fiber that helps the children focus better and pay attention in school. Blueberries and salmon can also improve brain function. Tofu is an ideal source of lean protein and has a positive impact on developing tissue. Greek yogurt can improve digestion and immunity, and so can cruciferous vegetables. Cocoa powder is beneficial for the heart and oral health. Black beans, eggs, basil, and cinnamon, are also great for kids.
How to Introduce Superfoods in Kids’ Diet
Lucky for you, the task will be simple enough, because superfoods are colorful and fun. You just need to present them the right way. Blender will be your best friend in this case, because you can make delicious protein shakes. If you run out of ideas, you can find great recipes on the web every day. Spinach in a lunchbox sandwich, why not? As for the nuts and seeds, you can grind them and sprinkle on everyday dishes. Interesting and fun decorations are always helpful. Here’s a special treat.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 2 apples (sliced)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups oats
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 cups water
- Salt
Preparation:
Mix the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the bottom of the crock-pot. Sprinkle the oats and then pour salt and water. Cook on low fire for about 8 hours (there is no need for stirring, so you can leave it overnight or just check occasionally if you wish). Serve with milk or cream.
As you see, even with today’s hasty life pace, it’s not that hard to live a healthy life and nourish the healthy diet in your family. All it takes to feel super are some superfoods! Use them.
Thank you, Peter, for this insightful look into Superfoods, and how to improve health and good nutrition for the entire family.
If you’d like to be Guest Poster at Life With Lorelai, find out more here.
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I’m happy to say that I do eat most of these superfoods! Yes! I try to eat natural, whole foods as much as possible. Great article!
What a great read. We are moving towards incorporating more and more super foods into our daily diet and it’s working wonderfully. We even put in a family garden 4 years ago and the benefits of having a family veggie patch are multifaceted. Thank you.
That apple cinnamon oatmeal mix looks delicious. I’m lucky that most of the superfoods are things my kids will eat without fuss. I think if you get kids to eat these things when they are younger, it will be easier to incorporate into their diet.
Wow, by the looks of them alone makes me want to really eat them. That cinnamon oatmeal looks good – looks like something I want to try. thank you so much Peter for the great info!
Great tips!! I was really surprised when I tried Kale chips and my son absolutely loved them. He is one of the pickiest eaters and being able to get something healthy into him was a blessing! Thanks for the other ideas!!
So glad you found this helpful, Jamie! Superfoods are awesome. 🙂
I’m all about getting the word out about super foods. With The Chopped it’s easy to get everyone to eat their superfoods. When you “hide them in plain sight”. When you chop them kids and adults will eat them. 🙂
Yes, your chopped food recipes are a great way to get these superfoods into your diet. 🙂
I need to incorporate more of these into our diet, especially tofu and salmon. I always need good lean protein sources.
There are some great ideas here! 🙂 Good luck with them.
A lot of great info about super foods. We always try to include some kind of pulses , spinach into our diet to stay healthy and keep us full.
This is such a great post…and seriously I need to start adding chia to my meals. #Homemattersparty
Eat more fruits and veggies! That’s what we’ve always heard and new research seems to bear this out. It’s not an easy thing to convince my picky children of though *sigh*
Looking forward to another great month co-hosting. #HomeMattersParty
I’m a terrible picky eater but still I think this is a great article with info I wasn’t aware of. Thanks for sharing this too at Welcome Home Wednesday Linky Party.
We love fruits and vegetables, but I am having a hard time winning hubby over to kale. lol! I think it’s important to start with the kids when they are young to at least try everything once. I also tell my teenage grands to try something that they think they don’t like because as you grow your tastes change. I tell them how as a child I hated blueberry pancakes and pizza. Now I love both. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Jann
It is true that your tastes change (or develop). Try adding just a few of the leafier pieces of kale into a regular salad…I do this with spinach too. 🙂