Five Superfoods Worth Knowing About

“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”

— B.K.S. Iyengar

For the body part of harmony, let’s talk superfoods

You’ve definitely heard of them before, but with all of the health noise cluttering your inbox and social feeds, it’s hard to discern the facts from the B.S. So let’s start with the basics: what exactly is a superfood? Well, it’s a nutrient-rich food that is especially beneficial for health. So, no, despite being full of hazelnuts (which some consider to be a superfood due to their high levels of antioxidants), Nutella is not a superfood.

Here are five of the most nutritious superfoods and the advantages they provide:

1. Cacao Nibs

Since chocolate is clearly on the brain, this tasty superfood seems like a good one to kick our list off with. It’s bitter, since there is no sugar added, but the cocoa-y flavor is still strong. Use these little chips of goodness to top off any pitaya or acai bowl.

Health benefits: they’re super high in magnesium and antioxidants.

2. Moringa

This bright green powder originates in tropical leaf form. It goes very well in any smoothy (pssst: this is how a lot of Instagram food bloggers get their smoothies so vivid green).

Health benefits: it’s packed with iron, which can help with that overwhelming tiredness a lot of us experience come Thursday afternoon.

3. Avocado

It almost seems like a cheat that avocado is considered a superfood, doesn’t it? We’d argue that avocados could be added to (almost) any meal. Think: salads, stir fries, grain bowls, you name it.

Health benefits: avocados have around 20 vitamins and minerals, they help with cancer prevention, digestive health, and more. Eating avocados regularly will keep your tastebuds and organs happy.

4. Kimchi

Yep, I’m talking about that stinky red cabbage you see on Korean BBQ night. It’s mouth-wateringly delicious and can be served as a side, in a bowl of ramen or as its own snack (if you’re as obsessed with it as we are, that is).

Health benefits: the fermented cabbage is loaded with probiotics that are a big game-changer for the digestive system – in a great way!

5. Chia Seeds

Surely you’ve heard of these powerful little seeds before, but did you know that  they are totally versatile? Mix them with some almond milk and vanilla for super(food)-filling pudding or add them to any smoothie without tasting the difference.

Health benefits: they’re a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, they lower the risk of heart disease, oh, and they give you lots of energy.