The Best Common Superfoods

Superfoods are any food that has a complete nutritional profile. Theres actually many fruits and vegetables that could be considered a superfood, however, I'm going to write about superfoods you can actually find in your local grocery store. Sure, acai berry has amazing antioxidant levels and trace minerals, but you'll never find it on the shelves. Its too easily perishable to transport long distances. Seaweed such as spirulina is another good superfood, but too difficult to find fresh. Actually theres one superfood out there thats not a plant at all. Fish. And it may be difficult to buy wild caught fish, but still its possible. Mostly this list is comprised of everyday superfoods (most anyway) that are easy to find.

Carrot. Well, this shouldn't come as any surprise as we probably all know to eat our carrots by now. This member of the Umbelliferae family forms as an orange underground root and is pulled out at maturity to be ate as the carrot. The carrot is one of the best sources of the vitamin thats very good for eyesight, vitamin A. Its also a good source of vitamin k, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, manganese, and vitamin B6. Both C and A vitamins are antioxidants.

Blueberries. Actually all berries are packed with antioxidant capabilities, but blueberries are amongst the easiest to find. Its rich in vitamins A, C, and K with minerals such as folate, choline, fiber, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Blueberries are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. The dark blue skin of blueberries is made possible by the anthocyanin within who are also responsible for the berries potent antioxidant powers.

Spinach. The nutritional constituents of this dark green superfood are well documented. Its a powerhouse of manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and trypotophan. But the vitamins K, A, C, and B2 are in plenty as well. The dark green color of spinach contains antioxidants in of themselves.

Mushrooms. Mushrooms are amongst nature's most unique creations as they aren't really plants and have no roots. Mushrooms are a member of the fungi family and you don't need to be choosy about mushrooms as they all contain high nutrient content such as selenium. The vitamin B complex, tryptophan, copper, and potassium can all be found in the mushroom along with phytonutrients. They have potent antioxidant powers that rid the body of dangerous free radicals.

Sweet potato. This Thanksgiving icon is indeed a very nutritious food. Its orange insides contain beta-carotene, essential for converting vitamin A in the body. Its a good source of vitamin C, choline, and fiber. Its also packed with a special class of protein-antioxidants. The Sweet potato is easy to cook with other foods and has a wonderfully sweet taste alone.

Salmon fish. No, its not a plant, but this ocean dweller is packed with the all essential omega-3 fatty acids that make up a large part of the human brain. The salmon contains such nutrients as tryptophan, vitamin D, omega-3s, selenium, protein, and B vitamins. Do be careful to buy only wild-caught cold water salmon as warm climate salmon often contain high levels of mercury. Almost all fish are a good source of vitamin D and omega-3s.

About the Author

My name is Kelli C. I am an avid researcher/web surfer, writer, and have a great interest in natural health. I'm a student of life and love to learn. Find more of my health articles at http://pathsofnature.blogspot.com

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