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A super food is purported to have more significant health benefits than any other type of food because it provides high amounts of one or more beneficial components, such as vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. Dark chocolate, green tea, acai berry, garlic, almonds, yogurt, sprouts, seaweed, sprouts and salmon have all been labeled super foods, however, keep in mind, the term "super food" has no legal definition; it is simply used as marketing tool.
Before buying and eating ‘super foods’:
- Don’t be fooled by prdoucts that advertise as using "super foods", such as green tea smoothies. Green tea has been touted for its antioxidant and heart -healthy benefits, however drinking it up in a green tea smoothie will also provide up to 80 grams of sugar! Brew a cup yourself and spare your body the processed sugar.
- Keep in mind bioavailability of nutrients in the body. Consuming too much of a nutrient can mean the body simply won’t absorb it or cause cellular damage as the body cannot get rid of the extra. There can be too much of a good thing!
- Purchasing “super food” products can contribute to a bigger bill at the checkout counter. Remember that you can get the same nutrition from similar whole food products, such as eating a bowl of fresh berries instead of buying acai juice.
Take home message: Eat a “super diet” and don’t worry about getting in the “super foods.” I always recommend people include, at the very least, one serving of fruit and/or vegetable at every meal. We don’t eat nutrients, we eat food! There is no one specific food that will make you drop the pounds; you must modify your diet as a whole and focus on a healthy eating style.
--Maya, R.D.
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