The Top 5 Superfoods

The term “superfood” is becoming a trendy buzzword to highlight the health benefits of certain foods, but there are science-based reasons behind its popularity. Superfoods are seen as foods that are loaded with a high volume of healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and are usually lower in calories.

At Abbot’s Butcher, we’re passionate about discovering new ways to utilize ingredients that are jam packed with additional perks. Many of these superfoods have anti-inflammatory properties and are perfect additions to our fresh recipes, like our flavorful and satisfying “Chorizo” Avocado Toast.

Here are 5 superfoods to look out for to boost your health game.

1. Plant-Based Yogurt & Fermented Foods

Although the concept of fermented foods may seem daunting, the probiotic bacteria in these foods absolutely contributes to a healthier gut. By cultivating a mix of microbiomes in your gut, fermented foods help balance out the beneficial and harmful gut bacteria to protect your digestive tract.

Yogurt contains fermented mylk, and it’s considered a superfood because of the live bacteria found in the product. The bacteria works to fight inflammation and improve the body’s natural insulin process, which helps reduce the risk for type two diabetes.

To maximize the superfood gains, make sure to select yogurts that aren’t filled with added sugars or processed flavors. If you’re sticking to a plant-based diet, try other fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha and sourdough bread.

2. Acai & Exotic Fruits

Acai berries, purple fruits that grow in the rainforests of Central and South America, are often seen as the poster child for superfoods. And they’re trending for a reason: acai berries are filled with antioxidants that protect us from harmful molecules. The antioxidants found in acai berries can help you think faster and slow down the aging process in your brain, control your cholesterol levels, and fight back against inflammation.

Acai is also high in fiber and helps regulate our digestion system to reduce bloating and prevent unwanted indigestion.

The health properties found in acai berries are also present in other exoctic fruits and superfoods like golden berries, a brightly colored fruit that resembles a tomatillo and has a sweet taste. You can eat golden berries raw or dried, and use them as toppings to create superfood combos on yogurt or acai bowls.

3. Avocados

Avocados are a classic superfood that can pull any meal together. They’re delicious, nutrient-dense, and a good source of healthy fats. Avocados help curb your cravings and make you feel full and satisfied while still providing the nutritional benefits seen in other superfoods.

Avocados are also stellar potassium providers — eating one avocado fulfills 20% of your suggested daily potassium intake. They contain more potassium than bananas, which are often seen as a top recommendation for potassium-filled foods. Potassium is crucial for regulating all cells in our bodies, and is an important ingredient for the metabolic process.

The average American diet has transitioned to include twice as much sodium as potassium, which can lead to unwanted health conditions like high blood pressure. So this superfood functions as more than just a trendy toast topping; it can help you develop healthy eating patterns that our bodies are naturally accustomed to.

They’re also versatile superfoods that serve as a side or topping with any meal. We recommend the “Chorizo” Avocado Toast for breakfast or including avocados in our Chick’n Spring Rolls recipe for a filling lunch or dinner.

4. Green Tea

It’s important to maintain a healthy balance with everything you put into your body — including liquids — which is why we added green tea as a high-quality superfood.

Unlike other teas, green tea has a specific cultivation process that allows for certain nutrients to be preserved. The leaves are roasted raw, which varies from the procedures used for black and oolong team, and protects the nourishing properties of the tea.

Like most other popular superfoods, green tea is filled with antioxidants and other nutrients that enhance our quality of life. But the specific antioxidants found in green tea, called catechins, are particularly helpful for our wellness efforts. Catechins can help reduce the size of certain tumors, kill cancer cells, and reduce the overall risk for (certain) cancers like breast and stomach cancers.

The catechins in green tea also have the added bonus of helping our oral health by reducing the growth of bacteria that leads to halitosis, or bad breath.

5. Ginger

Though drinking soda when feeling nauseous might seem like a counterintuitive way to combat stomach issues, there’s a reason drinks like ginger ale are so successful at preventing nausea and other similar symptoms.

Ginger, most commonly seen in a root or spice form, contains chemical compounds that reduce the effects of nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. It can also help alleviate indigestion symptoms by safely working to speed up the digestion process.

Ginger is an underrated superfood that can be incorporated in a variety of methods, including in smoothies and jam, and as a savory flavoring. It’s been shown to decrease inflammation and soothe joint and muscle pain.

As more research is done to unearth the benefits of certain superfoods, it’s the perfect time to maximize your wellness and incorporate these foods into your diet. 2021 is a year already swelling with transitions and possibilities, and superfoods are a great foundation for a successful health journey.