By Karina Heinrich
International Certified Integrative Nutritionist & Founder of The Karina Method
Food trends come and go quicker than you can add them into your diet, but these five new trendy superfoods may be sticking around for a while. It’s time for kale, goji berries and quinoa to make room for these new attention seekers in town. These superfoods are packed with nutritional benefits that make them worthy of the hype. Get excited!
1. Committed to Collagen
Collagen fans rave about this superfood! It can be found in pills, powders, creams, cosmetics and even selected foods. Collagen is the most abundant protein found in your body and luckily, it is produced on a regular basis! The top benefits of adding collagen into your diet: reverses skin aging, promotes skin elasticity, helps build muscle and reverse fat storage, helps reduce cellulite, improves digestive health and eases joint pain. Collagen production unfortunately slows with age, too much sun exposure, and unhealthy diets. It is advisable to supplement it back into your diet by: 1) adding collagen powder to smoothies, coffee and tea, or baked goods 2) drink bone broth or 3) take collagen pills daily.
2. Mighty Moringa
The new supergreen in town is Moringa! Moringa gives spirulina and matcha a run for their nutrients. Moringa powder is native to India and is packed with important nutrients and vitamins, including vitamin C, protein, calcium, amino acids, potassium, vitamin B6 and iron. It’s also high in antioxidants, lowers blood sugar level and cholesterol, reduces inflammation and gives you energy (even though it’s caffeine-free!). Moringa is delicious when sprinkled into your morning smoothie or juice.
3. Magical Maqui Berries
Move over acai and goji berries – Maqui berries are here to take your place! With its high level of antioxidants, Macqui berries help boost metabolism, support healthy digestion and even regulate blood sugar levels. They are filled with minerals, fiber and vitamins and are low in sugar, mild tasting and easy to add to smoothies and juices in their powdered form.
4. Wondrous Watermelon Seeds
Okay, watermelon seeds may not be the easiest superfood to get your hands on but its worth the effort! To reap the amazing health benefits of watermelon seeds, they need to be sprouted and shelled before eating. Watermelon seeds carry a whopping 31 grams of protein a cup, are low in calories and high in magnesium, folate, iron, vitamin B and both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Roasted watermelon seeds are a perfect snack and can be sprinkled over yogurt, oats, a morning breakfast bowl of fruit or as a topping for banana or zucchini bread. I would start shelling some seeds if I were you!
5. Beautiful Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is no new kid in town, but it’s worth mentioning yet again because of its nutrient-dense superpowers! Bee pollen is a tiny granule of pollen made by young bees when they land on a flower. Gram for gram, bee pollen can have as much as 50% more protein than beef! It can fight off allergies, relieve inflammation, boost liver health, reduce stress, speed up healing, strengthen the immune system and ease symptoms of menopause. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of bee pollen in smoothies, on salads, in baked goods and on morning oats or cereal.
All five of these superfoods are worth every bit the hype they receive – they not only taste great added to meals, but are also filled with the vitamins and nutrients that earn them the superfood title!
To Paleo or to Keto… Which Will Win?
Fibre: Does it Help You Lose Weight?
Preventing Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
