Since the publication of Michael van Straten and Barbara Griggs’s bestselling book Superfoods in 1990, our fascination with life-changing groceries has bought us goji berries, acai, hemp and chlorella with one clear appeal: a magic bullet for weightloss. If we can’t pronounce it, we want it. They might be exotic and full of promise, but are these new food fads the holy grail or a clever marketing ploy? “When we think of superfoods many of us immediately think of wheatgrass, baobab or cacao,” says nutritional therapist Zoe Stirling (zoestirling.com ). “But when we talk about them, we’re also referring to everyday foods, which you can find in your local supermarket too. We don’t need to be spending lots of money on the latest superfoods from the corners of the planet – the key is to get the basics right and be targeted with your approach.”
Ok, so our skin is glowing and they’re giving us boundless energy, but how can superfoods help us to shed the lb’s? “The abundance of nutrients delivered into our system from certain fruits and vegetables can not only help reduce cravings, but also often help boost our metabolism,” nutritional consultant Karen Cummings-Palmer (karencummingspalmer.com ) tells us. “Try crowding out the ‘bad’ stuff with the good as there’s only so much food anyone can consume. Begin with healthy choices and there’ll be little space left for highly processed, nutrient-poor food that leaves us lacking in everything but the unwanted inches.”.
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SUPERFOOD: APPLE SUPER POWER:
High in fibre and low in calories, it’s the perfect slim-down snack. -
SUPERFOOD: EGGS SUPER POWER:
A protein powerhouse that will curb your appetite and steady blood sugar levels. -
SUPERFOOD: KALE SUPER POWER:
Contains fibre and vegetable protein to kick your digestion into high gear. -
SUPERFOOD: OATS SUPER POWER:
A slow-releasing carb that keeps you feeling fuller for longer as it’s packed with fibre. -
SUPERFOOD: LENTILS SUPER POWER:
A healthy carb that boosts the metabolism and torches fat. -
SUPERFOOD: WILD SALMON SUPERPOWER:
A source of lean protein so you can feel full without adding fat. -
SUPERFOOD: BUCKWHEAT PASTA SUPERPOWER:
Contains more protein than grains, helping to repair muscle without the bloat. -
SUPERFOOD: BLUEBERRIES SUPERPOWER:
Packed full of antioxidants and fibre, a cup of blueberries is only 80 calories. “Use them straight from the freezer to up the nutrients in a green juice,” Karen suggests. -
SUPERFOOD: CHILLIES SUPERPOWER:
Causes diet-induced thermogenesis allowing us to burn up calories automatically rather than storing them. -
SUPERFOOD: OLIVE OIL SUPERPOWER:
Another monounsaturated fat that will boost metabolism and help to torch fat. -
SUPERFOOD: POMEGRANATE SUPERPOWER:
Small but mighty, pomegranate is high in fibre and blocks triglycerides (the fat that’s bad for your blood). Pow! -
SUPERFOOD: YOGURT SUPERPOWER:
The calcium tells your fat cells to pump out less of the cortisol hormone, making it easier for you to drop pounds, while the amino acids help burn fat. -
SUPERFOOD: QUINOA SUPERPOWER:
A great protein source, quinoa is also high in magnesium, vitamin B12 and iron – all vital for weight loss. -
SUPERFOOD: AVOCADO SUPERPOWER:
Keeps hunger at bay thanks to the healthy fats. -
SUPEROOD: GRAPEFRUIT SUPERPOWER:
Good source of protein and contains a compound that can lower insulin (a fatstorage hormone) that can lead to weight loss.
WITH GREAT POWER, COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY…
To avoid turning greener than The Hulk, try to include as many of the above foods in your daily diet as possible. “If you can, eating oily fish twice a week will provide you with the nutrients you need. Everything else can be eaten every day,” Zoe says.
HOW MUCH IS A PORTION?
- DARK GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
- 1 cup or the size of your fist
- BERRIES The size of a tennis ball
- OILY FISH The size of the palm of your hand
- BAOBAB1 teaspoon/5g
- CHIA 1.5 teaspoons/8g
- FLAXSEED 2 tablespoons/30g
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