5 Superfoods To Add To Your Diet

Superfoods can be very beneficial to add to your diet, especially if you are suffering from an illness or any minor health concern. They are considered "super" because they are packed full of nutrients and antioxidants for a small amount of calories in one food source. This is important because the more nutrients and antioxidants you consume, the better your body is able to rid of toxins and replenish its cells.
In this post I am sharing my top 5 favorite superfoods that are easy to add into any diet. You don't have to do them all at once, you can pick one, do it for a while and then slowly add the others in. 
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1. Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green microalgae that's grown and harvested from very alkaline water sources. This algae has been around for about 3.5 billion years and was used by the Aztecs as a healthful resource.
Why you should add this to your diet:
Spirulina contains a lot of nutrients and antioxidants, including protein, iron (which is why it is so great for vegans) vitamins A and K, as well as B complex vitamins. It also contains a ton of beta-carotene which is amazing for skin, eyes, and immune support. Spirulina is also great at fighting inflammation in the body and removing toxins such as heavy metals and detoxing the liver!
**You can add this to smoothies, coconut water, or recipes like my Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe !


2. Wild Blueberries 
Blueberries are an amazing food, specifically wild blueberries.
Why you should add this to your diet:
Wild blueberries have super high levels of antioxidants. They have the highest proportion of antioxidants of any food on the planet. (according to Anthony Williams the Medical Medium.) They have been shown to protect against inflammation, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases. Several studies suggest that blueberries reduce DNA damage, which is a leading driver of aging and cancer. Wild blueberries are also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.
Bottom line is, you want these in your diet!
**You can add blueberries to your smoothies or put them in oatmeal, chia pudding, protein muffins, or pancakes. Yum!


3. Goji Berries
Goji Berry, otherwise known as the “Wolfberry,” contains 18 kinds of amino acids, including all 8 essential amino acids, up to 21 trace minerals, high amounts of antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B and E vitamins, and many other nutrients. 
Why you should add this to your diet:
Goji berries contain large amounts of vitamins A and C, which are vital for building immunity and preventing illnesses, ranging from the common cold to cancer. According to David Wolfe, goji berries are known for their longevity and strength-building potency and have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 5,000 years. Research indicates that goji berries can help with managing liver health and preventing the progression of fatty liver disease. They also contain Beta-carotene, which is vital for eye health, bone health, skin health, and cell development. The amount of beta-carotene in goji berries is among the highest of all edible plants.
**You can enjoy these as a snack, put them in smoothies, salads, trail mix, desserts, raw chocolate, chia pudding or as a topping for oatmeal. 


4. Chaga Mushrooms 
​Chaga is a type of mushroom that grows mainly on birch trees in northern Europe, Asia, Canada, and the northeastern United States. High in polysaccharides and super immune enhancing components, medicinal mushrooms are some of the most intelligent adaptogenic herbs on the planet!
Why you should add this to your diet:
Chaga is high in fiber and essential nutrients, including vitamin D, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and calcium. Chaga is high in melanin, helping to protect the skin from sun damage, skin cancer, wrinkles, or aging. Chaga may also help prevent or slow the progression of certain liver problems, fight inflammation, lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, alleviate arthritis, and even prevent or slow the progression of cancer.
** You can find Chaga most commonly sold in a tea form. You can also buy bottled tinctures and extracts, which some believe are better absorbed by the body.


​5. Sprouts
Sprouting plants is known to increase the nutrient levels in those plants, and because they contain lower levels of anti-nutrients making it easier for your body to absorb those nutrients.
Why you should add this to your diet:
Sprouts are great for digestion by increasing the amount of hydrochloric acid in your stomach. Sprouts are high in antioxidants (aka anti-aging),  protein, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamins C and K. Sprouting magnifies the nutritional content of the seed, more than tripling vitamins A, B-complex and C. The vitamin content of some seeds increase by up to 20 times the original value after just a few days of sprouting! Some sprouts contain 100 times more than the mature version of itself such as broccoli, alfalfa, and radish sprouts. Which means that just a handful of broccoli sprouts can provide you the same nutritional benefits as a few heads of mature broccoli would. Eating sprouts means you can get A LOT of nutrients in a small amount of calories. 
You want to eat these raw. You can add them on top of salads, grain bowls, veggie burgers, stir-fry, avocado toast, or even blend them into smoothies! 

Remember when adding superfoods into your diet, it's important that you also eat a healthy diet and live a healthy lifestyle to see the changes you want. This is not an overnight thing, like with anything else, it might take some time to see improvements in your health. So be patient and trust your body!

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