Power Through with Plant-Based Superfoods

If you are trying to eat a more nutritious, plant-based diet, chances are you’ve heard a lot about superfoods. Defined as a nutrient-rich food, mostly plant-based, or as Merriam-Webster’s states, “that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health.”

Busy Americans want their foods to multitask like they do, so superfoods seem ideal. However, nutritionists caution that eating a particular superfood or even a handful of types, won’t deliver all you need. Instead, they recommend eating a variety of healthy foods to get all required nutrients. The more varied and colorful our foods are, the healthier for us.

Aim for a colorful selection of healthy fruits, vegetables and nuts for optimum wellness.

 

RED FOODS

Pomegranate: Rich in: vitamin C, fiber, potassium.

Health benefits: weight loss and heart.

Goji berry: Rich in: beta-carotene, iron, complete protein,
iron, zeaxanthin, vitamins C, A and E.

Health benefits: eyes, energy, longevity and brain health.

Raspberry: Rich in: vitamin C and E, lutein, selenium, brain health,
lycopene, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene.

Health benefits: brain health, eyes, cancer fighting
and diabetes.

 

GREEN FOODS

Broccoli: Rich in: vitamin C, fiber, calcium, folate and sulforaphane.

Health benefits: cancer fighting, arthritis, heart,
anti-aging and kidney.

Fava bean: Rich in: vitamin B6, fiber, folate,
potassium, iron and calcium.

Health benefits: heart, prevents birth defects, diabetes,
digestion and cancer fighting

Pistachio: Rich in: complete protein, anthocyanin and prebiotics.

Health benefits: diabetes, heart, cancer fighting and obesity.

 

YELLOW FOODS

Lemon: Rich in: vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants and kidney stones.

Health benefits: anti-inflammatory, weight loss, skin and kidney stones.

Pineapple: Rich in: bromelain, tryptophan, fiber, vitamin C and manganese.

Health benefits: depression/anxiety, digestion, arthritis and immune system.

Mango: Rich in: vitamin A and C, lutein, zeaxanthin and fiber.

Health benefits: digestion, cancer fighting, eyes and diabetes.

 

BLUE/PURPLE FOODS

Prunes: Rich in: fiber, potassium, vitamin K and magnesium.
Health benefits: digestion, sleep, cancer fighting and diabetes.

Blackberries: Rich in: vitamin C and K, anthocyanins and manganese.
Health benefits: brain health, sleep and bones.

Purple Cauliflower: Rich in: vitamin C, anthocyanin and glucosinolates.
Health benefits: cancer fighting, weight, heart and eyes.