In today’s post, Kim and Tony talk about superfoods and whether or not you really need them in your diet. And if you do need them, which ones, and how do you incorporate them into your diet?
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Beauty Foods Are Everywhere
Health and beauty foods are in abundance everywhere. Many of the top 50 beauty foods in The Beauty Detox Foods are humble, accessible, familiar, and inexpensive (like lemons, garlic, cabbage, kale, bananas, and spinach).
Superfoods are synonymous with rare, difficult to find, and expensive because of the “more is always better” mindset. Nutrient-dense foods become miracle foods and society is prone to search for the Holy Grail, miracle pill, or miracle food. Superfoods feed into the belief that there’s a magic pill.
Superfood Form and Digestibility
There are wonderful superfoods out there, but they’re to coming to us in the best form. Instead of whole foods, they’re turned into powders or pills (processed). Don’t look to those and overlook the more accessible fresh fruits that are superfoods in their own right.
When you’re eating whole, fresh foods regularly, you don’t need the expensive, nutrient-dense powders. Some people like to use them as insurance because they’re afraid they aren’t getting enough nutrients because the soil’s been depleted of minerals, but that’s been overstated a bit.
Dr. John McDougall’s book, The Starch Solution
If you’re eating a variety of foods and sourcing from different areas, every plant is grown in different soil and will have different minerals. Diversity is key.
Superfood labels may sound impressive, but they don’t have the enzymes of the natural food, and how much can you digest? Some things are worth the extra effort, like making the GGS vs. using a green superfood powder. Powders could be good for traveling, but not for every day.
Why the Appeal of Superfoods?
Marketing presents superfoods as if there’s a lacking in your diet or your life and as if these foods are better than anything you have access to and they’ll “save” you. Stay present and take a good look at what you’re eating. You could have maca powder or goji berries, but what are you eating for lunch every day? Packaged foods or whole?
Processed vs. Whole
There’s a clear line of demarcation in The Beauty Detox Solution between processed (which often happens to superfoods) and whole foods. For example, goji berries are great, but stay away from the goji berry extracts.
Examples of Superfoods
Goji berries: Great for snacking and contain protein and antioxidants, but can be expensive. You can have other berries instead. They don’t have to be rare. Our planet was created to provide abundance all over.
Acai: In its whole form (including frozen, unsweetened smoothie packets), it’s great. It tastes good. It’s not available fresh here, but it’s grown in Brazil and flash-frozen. It’s versatile and contains antioxidants and healthy omega fats. Try the Rainforest Acai Smoothie. Avoid the pills or “super juices.”
Cacao: This contains flavonoids, minerals, and antioxidants, but it can be overused. It has stimulating effects similar to caffeine and can be exhausting for your adrenals, so use it as a treat.
Chia seeds: These are fantastic and featured in several recipes (Chia Seed Delight and Power Protein Smoothie). They store well, are less prone to becoming rancid than flaxseeds.
Bee pollen: Start with a small amount first in case you’re allergic. Chew well to get the full benefits of the antioxidants, B vitamins, and energy.
Book: The 12 Stages of Healing by Donald Epstein
Absorption of Nutrients
When you’re using powders and special superfoods, how much is your body actually able to absorb?
If you’re following The Beauty Detox Solution principles, you’re detoxifying and optimizing digestion, so you’re able to pull and assimilate more nutrients from all of your food because your body is clean.
If you’re relying on pills, supplements, tinctures, etc, what is the rest of your diet like? Fiberless, high-processed foods? High protein? That’s not balanced, fresh, or whole. Focusing on having balance gives you a superfood-based diet.
Tips for Integrating Everyday Superfoods and Exotic Superfoods into Your Diet
- Don’t hold hard to get, expensive superfoods on a pedestal. Enjoy what you like, but they’re not necessary.
- Focus on foods around you and revisit the 50 top beauty foods in The Beauty Detox Foods.
- Fill your diet with everyday superfoods.
- When looking for “superfoods,” always look for them in whole form.
Being healthy does not have to cost a lot of money. Enjoy fresh, local produce—all these foods around you are amazing.
One of my favorite SUPERFOODS = seaweed!! It’s very under-rated and people are scared of it, but it’s truly delicious and I cannot get enough 🙂