Summer is the time when you want to stay active so you can get those yard chores done as well as tick items off of your bucket list. If you're not eating the right types of food every day, you may find yourself napping instead of keeping active. Eating superfoods every day is crucial to a quality life.
Superfoods are those that are loaded with nutrients. They contain a ton of vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants and enzymes that will help you break down other food and turn it into energy. With superfoods, you won't just survive but thrive. Superfoods will help your body fight infections and chronic disease. They're a must-have if you plan on making the most of the warm, sunny months.
Here are some of the best superfoods to stay active.
Enjoy the Dark Greens
Dark green vegetables including spinach and kale are loaded with minerals your body needs. A cup of kale will give you double your daily requirement of vitamin A. It also contains antioxidants that will heal the damage free radicals cause and reduce inflammation.
Eating fresh spinach helps your body build new cells and muscle tissue while collard greens provide you with the protein and calcium you need. You can add kale and spinach to smoothies along with green superfood powder to strengthen your digestive tract and balance your blood sugar.
If you're feeling sleepy in the afternoons, drink a cup of green tea. Not only will it give you that needed caffeine boost, but it will also help you lose weight and improve your mood. Green tea stimulates your metabolism and enables your body to absorb more nutrients. It strengthens your immune system and helps your pancreas, helping you ward off diabetes.
Include the Oranges
Not only are oranges loaded with vitamin C, but they can also help your body produce white blood cells. Fresh oranges are way better at fighting infections than that processed orange juice on your grocery shelves, so add them to your daily diet.
Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, and eating them often will strengthen your bones and improve your vision. They'll also help your body fight off infection and keep cancer away.
Add in the Blues
Include fresh berries in your diet, including blueberries and acai berries. Blueberries are high in vitamins K and C as well as vitamin E. They also contain phytochemicals and antioxidants that will help you ward off disease.
The blue-green micro-algae known as spirulina is also important. It's a nutrient-dense food that not only fights off cancer but also gives you the energy you'll need to weed those garden beds.
Don't Forget the Chocolate
Eating dark chocolate on a regular basis will provide your body with the vital antioxidants to ward off free radicals. Dark chocolate also helps you concentrate better and lift your mood. Keep in mind that chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation. Limit your chocolate consumption to an ounce a day.
Better still, reach for carob chips instead. They have up to four times the antioxidants processed chocolate contains. Carob has even more antioxidants than blueberries. It also provides you with calcium in a form that's easier for your body to absorb along with much-needed potassium.
Enjoy Seeds and Nuts
Improve your heart health and build the right type of cholesterol in your body by eating a handful of nuts every day. Consuming seeds, especially chia seeds or flax seeds, contain dense amounts of omega-3 fatty acids along with antioxidants.
By including all kinds of colorful organic fruits and vegetables along with nuts and seeds in your diet, you'll be supercharged to enjoy this coming summer.
