I have always urged people to eat organic food and to ensure that what they eat is in harmony with the seasons. Living in the city, it can be hard to eat that way, because most people don’t have gardens, so their eating is really defined by what they can buy in a store or restaurant. You have to be more conscious of the seasonality and organic nature of your food the further you are from country life. One way to make this easier for you is to focus on eating a core group of superfoods.
Berries
Berries as a whole are incredibly good for you. The king of berries are blueberries, but cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and bilberries are also very good. Berries contain a type of flavonoids called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give berries their rich coloring. They have antioxidant properties, fight free radicals and offer anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-viral benefits. Anthocyanin-rich substances have long been used in herbal medicine for treating conditions related to blood vessel health, such as high blood pressure, chronic venous insufficiency, and diabetic retinopathy. They have also been used in the treatment of other conditions such as urinary tract infections, and colds. Research suggests that they may be used in the treatment of major health problems such as cancer and heart disease. When you eat berries, you’re eating a powerful and natural medicine.
Fish
You should eat deep-’n-cold-water fish such as red tuna and salmon. In terms of source, fish from the Northern Pacific are preferable to those found in the Atlantic, because the Atlantic has higher pollution rates. The most important contribution that fish makes to your diet is Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential “polyunsaturated fatty acids” (PUFAs). By “essential” we meant that your body cannot synthesize them. In other words, you can only get them through your diet, in the form of food or supplements. Most people have diets that are low in PUFAs, either because they do not eat enough fish, or oils with high PUFA content, such as canola, safflower, or olive oil.
You need Omega-3s in your diet because they help fight heart disease, relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, help with fetal growth and development, reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and even help with mental health.
Dark, leafy greens
Dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, bok choy, dark lettuce, and chard are great for your body. They contain beta-carotene, folate, iron, vitamins, gut-healthy fiber, carotenoids, magnesium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. They reduce your risk of getting diabetes because they keep your insulin response mechanism well managed. So you will be less likely to get a sugar rush, mood swing, or jelly belly.
Bone broth
As you go through your kitchen cabinet refinishing, you should think about making space in your diet for bone broth. Bone broth is one of the most powerful superfoods out there, and it’s also a superfood that is seldom eaten. It is rich in proteins, helps with collagen production, and helps give you a healthy gut. It is the superfood when it comes to ensuring gut and skin health.
