Clark Kent was a pretty average guy. Nothing special. But when he stepped into that phone booth and became Superman? Look out. There was almost nothing he couldn’t do.
Superfoods are generally marketed like they are Superman, but the truth is that most of them are just like Clark Kent. Pretty average, to be honest.
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I’m talking about their appearance and accessibility, of course. Not their health benefits. Superfoods, like many found on your grocery store shelves, can offer multiple health benefits.
For some reason, people like to believe that superfoods are exotic. Like they can only come from far away lands. But most regions on earth produce their own local superfoods. Many are now produced the world over and are far more common and affordable than you think.
Here are a few superfoods I bet you’re overlooking.
Eggs: Does it get more Clark Kent than eggs? Probably not. But these dietary staples are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with high-quality protein, B-vitamins, vitamin A, choline, selenium, iron, and phosphorus.
Eggs also boost “good” HDL cholesterol and feature lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that are known to have protective effects on vision.
Legumes: Beans certainly aren’t exciting, but they are legitimate superfoods. They’re also easy to include in meals as a feature or side. Oh, and peanuts are included in this category too. Despite the name and their texture, peanuts are legumes and not nuts.
Legumes are loaded with fiber to improve heart health, gut diversity, and digestion. There is evidence to suggest they can help manage type-2 diabetes and reduce cholesterol.
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Olive Oil: Walk into most grocery stores, and you’ll see a vast selection of olive oil. Believe it or not, this stuff is a superfood. It’s a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and even a small serving can offer a host of benefits.
Use it on salads, as a meat marinade, a bean marinade, or as a cooking oil. It’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenol antioxidants that may help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
Don’t take this the wrong way. We’re not trying to discredit the nutrient-dense acai berries, blueberries, kales, or quinoas of the world. All of this stuff is great. But you can also pack your diet with unassuming superfoods.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
