What Is a Superfood? Definition, Key Traits, and LOOV’s Top Picks
If you’re looking to improve your health, enriching your diet is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. While most of us have a broad idea of what constitutes healthy in the kitchen, sometimes even the most health-enhancing recipes need a little helping hand. This is where superfoods come in. But what is a superfood? Although it’s a pretty broad term, superfoods are generally considered any food that boasts a rich nutritional profile with health-enhancing properties. Below, we’ll take a closer look at superfoods, how they’re processed, and how to choose the right ones to enrich your diet.
What Are Superfoods, Really?
Essentially, superfoods are any food that boasts a high nutritional profile. In other words, the term refers to any good that’s loaded with nutrients, but relatively low on calories. Generally speaking, they contain high amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, along with significant amounts of antioxidants. It’s the antioxidant content in particular that makes an ingredient considered a superfood. These antioxidants can help combat free radicals in the body, protecting against a host of ailments like cancer, heart disease, immune deficiencies, and other health complaints.
The Origin of the Term “Superfood”
While the concept of superfoods became mainstream in the early 20th century, the term was first used in 1918. Back then, the USA began importing a surplus of bananas, with the yellow fruit being praised for its versatility and rich nutritional profile. The term wouldn’t be used again until the 1990s. Once again, it was the Americans who appropriated the term, with blueberries being afforded recognition for their high content of vitamins and minerals, not to mention low calorie count.
Is “Superfood” a Scientific Term?
No. Superfood is a term that’s used pretty broadly to describe all manner of fruits, vegetables, and other foods. It’s generally considered a marketing term, although there’s sufficient scientific research to back up the nutritional profile of many foods being marketed as such.
Common Traits of a Superfood
Superfoods come in many forms, but they all share the same hallmarks. Rich nutritional values, high antioxidant content, and whole food status are ust a few of the signatures of a typical superfood.
Nutrient Density
A nutrient-dense profile is a telltale sign of any good superfood. In order to receive superfood status, high levels of vitamins, minerals, and other health-enhancing compounds are a must. These nutrient foods deliver maximum nutritional value per calorie, making them a welcome addition to any healthy diet.
Antioxidant Power
Ingredients rich in antioxidants are also likely to be considered superfoods. Compounds like polyphenols, alongside essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, are staple antioxidants and are commonly found in foods like berry fruits and leafy greens. They’re essential for combating the effects of free radicals, helping stave off the ageing process and age-related diseases.
Whole Food vs. Processed
The way that food is processed can have a big impact on its nutritional value. In most cases, superfoods are typically whole foods, having undergone zero processing before it hits the plates of the consumer. However, certain processes like freeze-drying can help preserve vital nutrients, meaning not every superfood has to be a whole food.
What Makes a *True* Superfood? LOOV’s Criteria
Many brands make bold claims about superfoods, but there’s a pretty strict set of criteria that determines whether or not what you’re putting into your diet actually constitutes a superfood. At LOOV, we’re pretty clear about what makes a superfood and what doesn’t.
Wild-Harvested or Organically Grown
If you’re looking to embrace superfoods, you’ll need to say goodbye to genetically modified food or ingredients produced with intensive farming practices. At LOOV, all of our raw ingredients are organically grown or harvested directly from the wild.
Minimal Processing
Food processing methods can do a lot of harm to the nutritional properties of food. At LOOV, we rely on minimal processing to ensure the food that you’re using in your recipes retains as much nutritional value as possible. Thanks to measures like freeze-drying, you can be confident that the superfoods you’re using are rich in vitamins, minerals, and those all-important antioxidants.
Full Transparency from Field to Spoon
At LOOV, we’re completely transparent when it comes to how our superfood ingredients are grown, harvested, and processed. Armed with this knowledge, you can be confident that you’re enjoying only the best superfoods on the market, rich in much-needed nutrients and loaded with natural flavor.
How to Choose the Right Superfood for You
Just waking up to the appeal of superfoods? Whether you’re looking to invigorate your intake with health-boosting nutrients or want to undergo a complete overhaul of your diet, you’ll need some pointers to make the right dietary choices. Looking for some insights to help you on your way? We’ve got you covered.
Based on Your Health Goals
When it comes to dietary changes, not everyone has the same health goals. Some might be focused solely on shifting excess pounds and weight management, while others might be looking to unlock the health-enhancing properties of superfoods to ward off illness and disease. While all superfoods are naturally rich in healthy nutrients, some serve certain goals better than others. Leafy greens are great for weight loss and regulating appetite, while certain berry fruits are perfect if you’re looking to combat free radicals and slow the ageing process.
How You Prefer to Consume It
You’ll also want to consider the way you prepare your meals when selecting superfoods. If you’re confident in the kitchen, cooking with whole foods makes sense. However, if you’re after convenience, powdered superfoods are a superb alternative. A single scoop of superfood powder can give a simple soup or smoothie an instant nutrient hit, while powdered products can also be used to make delicious sauces and baked goods.
Taste Preferences and Use in Recipes
Taste profiles can vary depending on the type of superfood you’re using. Whole fruits and vegetables have a high moisture content, which can dilute flavor intensity somewhat. By contrast, freeze-dried powders offer a more concentrated flavor profile, even when used sparingly. You’ll also want to think about versatility when using ingredients. Whole foods need to be prepared before being incorporated into your dishes, while powdered foods can be added to just about anything.
Final Thoughts
Late to the table when it comes to superfoods? It’s never too late to transform your diet and tap into the health-boosting benefits of superfoods. Whether you’re tucking into leafy greens, binging on berries, or packing a punch with powders, superfoods are an obvious choice if you’re looking to overhaul your diet, enjoy all-natural flavors, and live a healthier life.
