5 Superfoods To Try This Year

With every new year comes a large number of people making resolutions. And traditionally, one of the biggest New Year’s resolutions is to live and lead a healthier lifestyle. Often the hardest part of making this change is making adjustments to your diet. We all struggle with diet from time to time, so in order to help kick start your healthier 2016, this article will go through 5 different superfoods that you should make an effort to try this year.

1. Spirulina

(source: myscienceacademy.org)

This superfood is a type of blue-green algae that can be consumed in a powder, tablet or in flakes. What makes this a superfood is the fact that it is the highest source of plant protein that you can find, as it ranges from 65-71% protein. However, it has more to offer than just high protein. It is also filled with vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium, chromium, antioxidants and more. Spirulina can be sprinkled into a salad or other foods and can also be included in smoothies to give them an extra kick of protein.

2. Sacha Inchi Seeds

(source: eco-ola.com)

While chia seeds were the top gun in this group for a while, it is time for them to take a back seat, the Sacha Inchi seed is the new sheriff in town. This seed not only offers more omega 3’s (plant based) than flax and chia, but it also high in fibre and complete proteins. Even better, these seeds can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or can be introduced into a variety of dishes such as salads, trail mixes and more.

3. Pitaya

(source: readingtree.org)

This is one of the easiest superfoods on this list to find because you simply can’t miss it. This unique looking and colored fruit (also known as the Dragon Fruit) is packed full of phytonutrients due to its vibrant color. One of these nutrients is lycopene, which is thought to potentially reduce the risk of prostate cancer. And if that wasn’t enough for you to try it, the Pitaya is also packed full of vitamin C and fiber. They are also very low in calories with about 60 per fruit.

4. Bee Pollen

(source: foodmatters.tv)

This may be a surprise to some, but bee pollen is actually extremely good for you. The primary reason for this is the fact that bee pollen contains more amino acids than any other source of animal protein, which are the building blocks of protein. In addition to that impressive statistic, bee pollen provides a lot of B vitamins, which are a source of natural energy. It has also been shown to has been shown in several studies to increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. While it may seem unorthodox, putting a teaspoon of these pellets on top of yogurt or in a smoothie will provide great added benefits.

5. Yucca

(source: content.time.com)

Yucca, which is also often called cassava, is a root vegetable similar to a potato or a yam. Yucca contains high fiber and a boatload of antioxidants. In fact, extracts from Yucca are often sold in health stores. This superfood also has a number of other benefits such as improving skin conditions, can reduce blood pressure and can even help with inflammation. Seeing as it is similar to a potato and a yam, it can be cooked in a similar fashion to those vegetables.