Supercharge your nutrition: The power of Superfood powders
The name of the superfood game is nutrient density, with superfood powders offering a concentrated blend of ingredients to easily and conveniently boost your nutrient intake.
What are Superfoods ?
These powerhouses typically include whole foods and ingredients packed with micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When included as part of a balanced diet, research affirms that superfoods can have beneficial effects on health1. .
Plus, many superfoods offer this nutritional punch with fewer calories, making them a favourite among health-conscious individuals.
We're talking about mostly plant-based goodies: dried fruits, vegetables, seaweeds, algae, spices, herbs, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and ancient grains.
Did you know: The term ‘superfood’ was popularised in the 1990s, and is used to indicate a special category of food with superior nutritional properties1.
While the term does not have an official definition, with no scientific, regulatory, or legal description proposed by food safety regulations, superfoods typically refer to foodstuffs and supplements that can provide nutrients in high quantity2.
Why Superfood powders?
While whole foods are always the ideal, sometimes accessibility and convenience are key. That's where superfood powders shine. They're created by dehydrating and finely grinding the roots, leaves, and flowers of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
Think of them as a concentrated dose of goodness! While they shouldn't replace a whole-food diet, they can be a fantastic way to supplement your nutrition, offering potential benefits like:
· Increased energy
· Stress management
· Immune system support
· Improved gut health
· Enhanced skin, hair, and nail health
You'll find popular superfood powders like wheatgrass, maca, spirulina, moringa, chlorella, hemp seed, matcha, barley grass, and cacao readily available.
Concentrated convenience
The real magic of superfood powders lies in their convenience. They make it incredibly easy to boost the nutritional content of your meals and snacks.
Here are a few ways to incorporate them:
· Smoothies and Shakes: Add a scoop to your morning smoothie or post-workout shake for a quick and easy nutrient boost.
· Breakfast Bowls: Sprinkle them over your oatmeal or yogurt for added flavour and nutrition.
· Baking and Cooking: Get creative! Enhance bread, muffins, and other recipes with powders like flaxseed, chia, matcha, or turmeric for added texture, nutritional value, and vibrant colours.
Product recommendations
Lifestyle Food Maca Powder
https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-food-maca-powder-100g-901
Lifestyle Food Cacao Powder
https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-food-cacao-powder-100g-788
Tony Ferguson Superfood Moringa Leaf Powder
https://www.dischem.co.za/tony-ferguson-moringa-leaf-powder-superfoods-250g-662
Tony Ferguson Superfood Chia Seeds
https://www.dischem.co.za/tony-ferguson-chia-seeds-superfoods-200g-664
Lifestyle Food Spirulina
https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-food-spirulina-100g-566
Lifestyle Food Barley Grass Powder
https://www.dischem.co.za/lifestyle-food-barley-grass-powder-100g-786
References:
1. Cobos Á, Díaz O. 'Superfoods': Reliability of the Information for Consumers Available on the Web. Foods. 2023 Jan 26;12(3):546. doi: 10.3390/foods12030546. PMID: 36766074; PMCID: PMC9914617.
2. Ana Fernández-Ríos, Jara Laso, Daniel Hoehn, et al, A critical review of superfoods from a holistic nutritional and environmental approach, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 379, Part 1, 2022, 134491, ISSN 0959-6526, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134491.
