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Your Health is your Wealth. Living in the busy city of London in order not to burn out, I decided to review what I eat 3 years ago. I began a research of the 10 best superfoods to make you feel vital to implement them in to my daily diet to stay as healthy as possible.

Vital health means feeling strong, energetic, productive and in a good mood. So what superfoods cover all of these, which can also boost your immune system, have anti-inflammatory (fights infections, viruses & bacteria) and antioxidant (fights cancer) powers?

Here is my list of the 10 best superfoods to make you feel vital I would definitely recommend.

Oats

Oats are the healthiest grain on this earth and a great superfood, originating from Asia.

• rich in fibre
• contains many powerful antioxidants
• lowers blood cholesterol
• promotes healthy good bacteria
• incredibly nutritious and filling, can help to lose weight
• Contains Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Iron, Zinc, vitamins B1 and B5, but also small amounts Calcium, Potassium, B6 and B3

A warm fresh bowl of oats is a perfect start to your day, especially during the colder seasons. Otherwise pour a bit of warm water over your oats, mix it and add yoghurt and other toppings.

If normal oats make you bloated, you could try the gluten free oats.

Walnuts

Walnuts are one of the healthiest super & power foods and if you love nuts here are the amazing benefits listed below.

• Rich in heart-healthy fats (protects your heart!)
• Improves brain functions & quality of sleep
• High in antioxidants (the riches source so far)
• Excellent source of several vitamins and minerals high level of Omega 3, Copper, Folic Acid, vitamin B6 & vitamin E

The recommendation by nutritionists to improve your health is to eat 4 walnuts a day.

Bananas

Bananas are happy fruits. Studies show that one banana per breakfast is capable of lifting your mood for half the day and it also helps to cope with negative emotions.

• A great energy booster
• Full of natural sugars
• High in fibre
• Mood uplifting & stress reducing
• Good for your heart
• Helps digestion
• Improves skin condition
• High in Magnesium, Potassium, vitamins B6 and B12
• Contains protein

Also great before or after a workout.

 Dark Chocolate

It’s nice to hear that chocolate is also on the list. Called super or happy food, which has been around for over 3000 years as a drink first in Central and South America.  To have healthy benefits it must contain at least 50% of cocoa or above. Magnificent at boosting not just your physical but also your mental health.

• Improves brain function and boosts brain power (keeps your brain sharp)
• Antioxidant-rich
• Good for your heart & blood pressure
• Improve eyesight (visual performance, low contrast letters)
• Mood boosting and stress fighting
• Beats midday slump
• Good for your skin (it makes it smooth and elastic)
• Very nutritious
• A great source of Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, but also Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Selenium

How much dark chocolate should you eat? 1 ounce or 20-30g a day is the recommended dose between 1 and 3pm helping to beat the midday slump (feeling sluggish).

You could also sprinkle cocoa bits over your protein shake or add a teaspoon of cocoa powder in to your smoothie. Here is my Peanut Butter – Banana Smoothie recipe.

Cinnamon 

I was surprised to find out that cinnamon is a superfood with very powerful properties. There is something important you should know about cinnamon. During my research, I learnt that there are two types of cinnamon trees. One of them Cassia Cinnamon is grown in Canada, contains chemical coumarin which is toxic and dangerous to take (causing liver damage if taken frequently). The other type is called Ceylon Cinnamon, grown in Sri Lanka and is very healthy for us.

So here are the benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon, the ‘true’ cinnamon:

• High Source of antioxidants
• Boosts immune system
• Contains anti-inflammatory properties, fights Infections & viruses
• Helps defend against cognitive decline & Protects brain function
• Protects heart health (cholesterol & blood pressure)
• Has protective effects against cancer
• Has a powerful antidiabetic effect (lowers blood sugar levels)
• High in Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Vitamin A

How much of ‘true’ cinnamon should you use? A tea or a full espresso spoon.

Where to buy Ceylon cinnamon?  I couldn’t find good quality Ceylon cinnamon at the supermarket. I discovered Organic True Cinnamon Powder (Ceylon) by Stay Fresh Organics, which I love – great quality and good value for money!

Turmeric 

A root vegetable crushed to a fine powder which is golden yellow due to curcumin. It is a very powerful superfood and used a lot in Indian cuisine, in curries. I add a bit of turmeric in to my fresh Lemon-Ginger-Honey Tea to enjoy all the amazing benefits.

• A natural anti-Inflammatory
• Powerful antioxidant
• Improves brain function & prevents brain diseases
• Helps to prevent & treat cancer
• Prevents heart disease
• Aids longevity   

I use Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Turmeric Powder. 

Ginger

The healthiest spice on the planet which comes from South Asia and can grow up to one meter in length, ginger is one of the most popular superfood used as a remedy for colds across the world.  

Below is the list of more benefits taking this amazing root vegetable?

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-bacterial
• Supports immune system
• Good for digestion
• Has a warming effect and stimulates circulation
• Reduces exercise-induced muscle pain and inflammation

Himalayan Salt ­ 

Himalayan salt is famous due its beautiful crystal pink colour and extraordinary benefits of containing 84 essential minerals!

Minerals and electrolytes play a valuable role and are necessary for healthy functions of the body.

Normal salt, the table salt sodium chloride, has a lack of minerals. Inland salt (like Himalayan), is healthier than table or even sea salt. Therefore there is no simpler way to get the 84 natural trace minerals by switching to pink Himalayan salt!

Sprinkle over salad, add a bit to your smoothies & even to your water.

Benefits of himalayan salt:

• Balances your body’s pH
• Food for adrenal & hormone system
• Boost cardiovascular system
• Neuro protecting
• Controls blood pressure & blood sugar
• Promotes longevity
• Boosts immune system
• Supports respiratory health
• Mood booster & sleep promoter

The best is 100% Pure Fine Pink Himalayan Salt, no need for a grinder!

Spinach

Packed with great nutrients and a powerful source of many vitamins. Definitely on the top of list of vegetables as a superfood. Tasty when raw in green smoothies (the best way to obtain the antioxidant lutein according to scientists) or sautéed.

• Immune system boosting
• Alkalises the body
• Helps to prevent cancer
• Improves digestion
• Anti-aging
• High in vitamins K, A, C & B2, Iron, Folate & Magnesium

Salmon

It is impressive how salmon is actually so good for our health. This fish is the best source of protein and the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, supporting our cardiovascular (heart) and cognitive function (mental abilities: learning, memory, thinking, clarity, decision making, and attention).  Not forgetting to mention other benefits such as

• High in B vitamins
• Great antioxidant
• Good source of Potassium
• Loaded with Selenium

Final Words

After including the superfoods listed above in to my diet on a regular basis, I started feeling the benefits. I felt vital – stronger, more energetic, able to focus, productive and more balanced.

Look after yourself and upgrade your diet by trying my list of the 10 best superfoods to make you feel vital!

 

Tip:  Save this Pin to your SUPERFOODS or HEALTHY FOODS board on Pinterest, so you can come back any time later.

 

You might also like these:

How To Boost Your Immune System Naturally

Things To Do During Self-Isolation To Thank Yourself Later For 

 

DISCLAIMER

All images used in this post are from Pexels. This post isn’t sponsored.