Superfoods
Superfoods are nutrient dense whole foods that are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to human health. A superfood has more nutrients for your body when compared calorie for calorie with another food.
Antioxidants are natural molecules that occur in certain superfoods. They help neutralize free radicals in our bodies and are anti-aging. Free radicals are natural byproducts of energy production that can wreak havoc on the body.
Why do we need superfoods?
Consuming foods that are packed with nutrients increases your energy levels, keeps you healthier, and helps ward off diseases.
"Our bodies are under attack from chemicals, toxins, poor air, cell phone radiation, etc. You’re overdosing on xenobiotics (foreign, man-made, unnatural chemicals) and synthetic flavors, colors, preservatives, pesticides, and herbicides in your food. It takes a lot of effort for your body to clear them out every day. The result is nutritional stress on your body that uses up your minerals and nutrients even faster.
We are also under stress 24/7! Our bodies need more support.
In addition to all the toxic health drainers mentioned above, moderate levels of stress can be draining on your body. In fact, high levels of stress flat out strip nutrients from your body, especially magnesium. It is also something that is hard to “outeat” with normal food. You can’t completely eliminate stress, so you need those extra vitamins and minerals that superfoods give you calorie for calorie to keep your body strong.
Supporting your body with optimal nutrition helps you live your best life – a SuperLife! I don’t know about you, but I want to be at optimal functioning. I want to feel good. I want my brain to be active. As an athlete, I want to perform my best and fuel my body well. I want my body to always be strong because it has the vitamins and minerals it needs."
Complex carbohydrates
Carbohydrates in general have had their fair share of scrutiny over the past decade. Are they good or bad? How much do I eat? When do I eat them? The more we eat them, the more we crave them. They can develop an unhealthy imbalance in blood sugar leading to many health issues.
Many people are afraid to eat any carbohydrates, but it is important to distinguish between the health-robbing effects of simple carbohydrates and the health giving properties of complex carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates are necessary to your health, because every cell in your body uses them for energy.
Complex carbohydrates are high fiber foods, which improve your digestion. They help stabilize your blood sugar, keep your energy at a even level, and help you feel satisfied longer after your meal.
Simple carbohydrates are one to two sugars bound together, they are easy and quick to break apart, so they get digested quickly and go into our bloodstream at a fast rate. They provide a short term supply of energy. These are foods such as white bread, white pasta, pastries, candies, and cookies.
Complex carbohydrates are three or more carbohydrates bound together and take longer to break apart therefore there is a steady state of sugar released into our bloodstream.
Benefits of complex carbohydrates
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Energy source for our muscles and fuel for our brain
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Helps to regulate protein and fat metabolism
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Loaded with fibre which we need for heathy digestion
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Helps with detoxification from the combination of vitamins, minerals and fibre content
Sources of complex carbohydrates we use
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Whole Spelt Flour
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Oats
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Maple Syrup
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Dates
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Bananas
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Pumpkin Seeds
BENEFITS OF SUPERFOODS WE USE:
Walnuts:
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Brain food
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Super plant source of omega 3s
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Promotes a healthy gut
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High protein
Blueberries:
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Low in calories, high in nutrients
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The king of antioxidant foods
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Increases energy levels
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Helps maintain brain function & improve memory
Cranberries:
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Reduces inflammation
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Improves your digestion
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Boosts your immune system
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Second highest fruit in antioxidant capacity (blueberries are number 1)
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MORE BENEFITS:
Organic Coconut Oil:
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A natural source of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which are quickly absorbed by the body and used for energy
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Reduces Inflammation
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Increases fat burning
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Boosts brain function helping you focus for longer periods
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Reduces your hunger, helping you eat less
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Can train the body to use fat as a source of energy
Organic Whole Spelt Flour:
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Source of complex carbohydrates, protein, fibre
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Essential nutrients like iron and zinc
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Produces serotonin
Organic Maple Syrup:
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Boosts energy
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No spike. No crash
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Supplies important vitamins & minerals
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Contains numerous antioxidants
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Has many of the minerals and electrolytes athletes need to perform at the top of their games. A tablespoon of pure maple syrup has two milligrams of sodium—critical to help maintain blood fluid levels during exercise. That same amount of Maple Syrup also has potassium to prevent muscle cramping
Pumpkin Seeds:
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High in antioxidants
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Lowers blood sugar levels
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Pumpkin seeds are not only a good source of protein and healthy fats; they are packed with fiber, zinc, potassium and magnesium. If you are seeking a performance nutritional edge, consider incorporating more into your daily intake
Bananas:
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One of the best fruit sources of vitamin B6
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Are rich in fibre, antioxidants and several nutrients
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Good for your heart health & blood pressure
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Gives you energy without the fats & cholesterol
Chia Seed:
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Delivers a massive amount of nutrients with very few calories
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High in quality protein
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High in omega 3s
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Reduces inflammation
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Chia is very high in fibre and nutritionally dense, it helps you feel fuller faster and longer. The absorbent qualities regulate carbohydrate conversion, preventing blood sugar spikes and providing sustained energy
Dates:
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High potassium and fruit sugar content for refueling the brain and muscles
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A good source of antioxidants
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A brain booster to help sustain focus
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Dates have low Glycemic Index (GI), which means they will be digested slowly by our bodies, keeping energy levels even throughout the day. Slow release of energy ensures athletes have enough strength and endurance to perform well
Almonds:
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Reduces Inflammation
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Lowers blood pressure
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Helps banish brain fog
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Increases energy levels
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Provides a wide range of nutrients that help to keep the body healthy for sport. Almonds are a source of protein, healthy monounsaturated fats and fibre. They also contain vitamin E (an important antioxidant) as well as other key vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Flax Seed:
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Loaded with nutrients
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High in omega 3s
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Quality protein
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High in fibre
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Improves athletic performance
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Omega-3s have a wide range of benefits for athletes, such as reducing inflammation and aiding muscle fibre regeneration. They also improve your mood, stabilize energy levels, and can aid weight loss
Cocoa:
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Good for your heart
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Lowers blood pressure
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Reduces Inflammation
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Is beneficial to your health and physical performance. Consuming it every day can help athletes and fitness enthusiasts train better. Researchers found that cocoa provides similar benefits to beetroot juice taken regularly by elite athletes to boost performance
Peanuts:
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Nutrient-rich and low in carbohydrates
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Excellent plant-based source of protein
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Aids in muscle recovery
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Peanuts are an especially good source of healthy fats, protein, and fibre. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and B vitamins