Superfoods will always be a thing: That's because they're loaded with important nutrients humans need to flourish, such as fiber and vitamins. These nutrients can lead to overall better health and even fight diseases. Some superfoods are already well known and continuously adored by health food lovers, such as coconut oil, kale, quinoa, and blueberries. That said, here are a few (less known superfoods) gaining lots of publicity right now (and for good reason).
Purple Veggies
Alright, so: Purple vegetables. While they don't sound like much (even though they do sound pretty), you're bound to see these on your Instagram feed. Believe it or not, many vegetables have purple variations. Some vegetables that have purple versions are kale, asparagus, cauliflower, and carrots. And no, they're not dyed that color, it's a naturally occurring process. We're just used to eating their traditional (and boring) counterparts.
Believe it or not, there are health benefits to eating purple-colored foods. It's not all just pretty Instagram pictures. Purple vegetables contain anthocyanins, the antioxidants found in blueberries which give them their rich color. Anthocyanins have several health benefits other than just providing antioxidants. Scientific tests have shown they can protect against liver injuries, improve eyesight, and even suppress proliferation of human cancer cells. Pretty cool, right? To give these purple veggies a shot, try making some coconut roasted purple cauliflower with fresh rosemary, or baked purple kale chips.
Fermented Foods
Did you know fermented foods actually are great for gut health? That's because they have a heavy dose of probiotics in them, which are known as "good bacteria," and help maintain your gut's microbiome. This includes solid, reliable bowel movements (I know, gross, but it's certainly essential to human health). There are so many different forms of fermented foods. A few classics include kimchee, sauerkraut, and kombucha, but other vegetables can be used too. Some gaining momentum in the spotlight right now are beets, cauliflower, and carrots. The coolest thing is that you can ferment pretty much anything, so feel free to get creative. After all, fermentation is essentially pickling. Trust me when I say fermented beets are absolutely delicious and you need to try them. Here's a recipe I recommend. You also might be able to find some of these fermented foods at your farmer's market, so make sure to check.
Seaweed
Okay, so obviously everyone knows seaweed is already popular. I mean, it's one of the key ingredients in sushi. That said, expect to see seaweed in different dishes too, from pasta, to salads, and maybe even desserts. Dried sheets of seaweed also make a great, low calorie snack (I would know, I eat them by the ton load). The reason seaweed is so fantastic is because it contains so many essential minerals, like magnesium (which treats back pain and is great at helping with cramps), calcium (strengthens bones, prevents obesity, and controls blood pressure), and copper (promotes proper growth, prevents arthritis, and pigments hair and eyes). These are just a few minerals present in seaweed that benefit humans. Not to mention there are a bunch of antioxidants and vitamins present in seaweed. To harness these benefits, try making a green superfood salad (filled with seaweed, avocado, kale, and cucumber), or miso soup (which always calls for seaweed). With over 3,500 types of seaweed, there's no limit to what you can create.
