Are Super Foods as Good as we Think they are

CHEFTALK

Are super foods as good as we think they are?

The discussion about a healthy life style, healthy food, weight loss, running around the block, going to the gym, avoiding processed foods has entered a spiraling outbreak when you ask me. It is worse than an epidemic disease that has no cure but only hope for those affected.

You can’t open a food focused website or all sorts of super healthy looking gym blokes, super thin shiny ladies and handsome doctor look alike guys in authority commanding uniforms, who seem to have straight walked out of a mediocre hospital novel, pass your computer screen. All of them try to convince you of what is best for your health.

I do not know about you, but they drive me nuts. Their pushing style annoys me tremendously but they must be getting a point across to the average reader or else they would presumably not be there. How spot-on and accurate are they, is what they are trying to tell you the truth or are they just buck busters getting a good income over your, desperate to lose weight, back side.

The food producing industry as a whole and in tandem, the food processing industry is spending huge amounts of money to make us believe that what we eat is actually quite good. Well to put the whole issue in perspective, it is about money and nothing else than money.

The health issue

GMO is big in debate, the scare is that GMO plants create (or already have) new species of unknown plants that influence our health in the short medium or long term.

FDA scientist have repeatedly warned that GM injected plant species can produce ‘hard to detect’ side effects that may affect human health. Unknown side effects, nutritional effects and possible new diseases have been discovered. A good reason to avoid GM foods, question is how. More types of foods are GM than you might think. Not only soya beans, canola and corn are GM. Fruits are, I have read about papaya, pineapple and mangos.

Super food is another word high on the debate list, what are they and are they as ‘super’ as many want us to believe. 

Dietitians and nutritionists do not seem to like the word super foods, claiming lack of scientific proof for the benefits these foods may have. Cancer research UK claims the word is just a marketing tool with little scientific basis.

It is not getting easier to make out what is good or bad and what is safe and healthy to eat. If you have been reading some of my earlier posts you may know that I am a strong advocate of a balanced home cooked diet. This does not mean that that you should not have an outside lunch or dinner anymore. I believe that if a balanced home cooked diet is your principal, you can enjoy any food you like, in moderation, right proportion and variety.

Super foods

Super foods may not have a big load of scientific standing but they are good for you based on the properties and nutritional values they have. Dietitians and nutritionists do not deny that! 

Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel types and sardines are rich in essential fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 3. Dark colored vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are full of vitamins and minerals. Fruits are a rich source of fibers and vitamins. Legumes like beans and nuts are a good source of protein and so are meats. 

And then there are the, for many, somewhat unfamiliar ‘super foods. Grits, Quinoa, Kale, Hemp seeds, Edamame beans, coconut flour, okra and the list goes on. 

I believe in the health properties of all these ingredients, in addition they give me a load of inspiration.

Great foods that should be part of your diet. It is just a matter of where to find and how you implement them.


Buying super foods  

Organic produced super foods are your best choice. Unfortunately that is not within every ones reach. Buying goods from small farmers selling their produce on their own premises and at local farmers markets is a good choice as well. These farmers know what they are doing and are health food advocates themselves.

When stored correctly, most of the small farmers produce last much longer than mass produced products that have been stored and transported over a considerable period of time, losing a fair share of their shelf life and nutrients in the process.

Vacuum sealing, sharing and portioning saves cost.

www.vacupack.com       www.vacupack.ca

Super foods are ‘Super’ when you buy the right product at the right place, for the right purpose!   


By: Marinus Hoogendoorn