SUPERFOODS 101
These days, we see the word ‘superfood’ being thrown around everywhere: on TV, in every blog and even as we walk down the aisles of our grocery stores. One week it's avocado, the next week it's milk (for real?).
This leaves most wondering what exactly are superfoods? and what makes them super? Is there a secret society that deems foods worthy of being super? Is there a nutritional requirement for admission into this exclusive group?
Read on for the answers to these questions and more!
What are superfoods?
Foods that give you super powers, ofcourse!
In all seriousness, they can be fruits, seeds, grasses, seaweeds, roots or algae from around the world, that are extremely nutrient dense- much more than the foods we come across on a daily basis. For example, the acerola cherry (a Central American superfood) can have upto 50 to 100 times the vitamin C content of an orange or a lemon!
Superfoods are foods high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and healthy fats – all essential for your health and well-being. They have been used for generations in their respective cultures and are used today to supplement diets or take smoothies, breakfasts, snacks & meals to the next level. Their growth in popularity in North America stand testament to their many benefits.
So, What makes Superfoods Important?
According to Statistics Canada, 2 in every 3 people don't eat enough fruits or vegetables daily. In fact, not eating enough fruits & veggies is the #1 dietary risk and is unfortunately, the eventual cause of millions of deaths worldwide. There's just simply no arguing with why we need to eat our fruits and veggies- Agreed? No big deal, I'll just grab some baby carrots to munch on or add a salad to my day. Problem solved right? Well, sort of. The produce we come across is not as nutrient dense as it once used to be. Why is that?
ROUTE TO MARKET
When a fruit or vegetable is picked, it continues to breathe and the longer it has to breathe before it is consumed, the less likely it is to retain nutrients. The Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global Environment notes that food transported long distances is not likely to be as nutritious as food grown and consumed locally. Freeze drying- a process of removing moisture to preserve the nutrients in produce is a solution to this problem. This is the exact process we use to create our superfood powders!
SOIL DEPLETION
Multiple studies published in scientific journals show soil depletion is affecting the nutrient density of today's fruits and vegetables.
"... it is true that fruits and vegetables grown decades ago were much richer in vitamins and minerals than the varieties most of us get today. The main culprit in this disturbing nutritional trend is soil depletion: Modern intensive agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil in which the food we eat grows. Sadly, each successive generation of fast-growing, pest-resistant carrot is truly less good for you than the one before."
One study, published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition,” studied U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999. The researchers found 43 different vegetables and fruits, finding “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. The lead researcher, Donald Davis, said: “Efforts to breed new varieties of crops that provide greater yield, pest resistance and climate adaptability have allowed crops to grow bigger and more rapidly, but their ability to manufacture or uptake nutrients has not kept pace with their rapid growth.”
Crops are grown in the same place year after year, depleting the soil of its nutrients. As a result, subsequent crops require larger amounts of synthetic herbicides and pesticides. The harmful residues not only remain on the crops, but they also leach into the soil and pollute groundwater supplies.
When you eat superfoods, you’re getting more bang for your nutritional buck, thanks to their exceptional nutritional profile.
What’s more, superfoods that are organically grown are grown without harmful chemicals. This helps maintain more nutrient-rich soil, combats soil erosion and supports water conservation amongst other things.
What about supplements?
Why eat superfoods when you can pop a multivitamin?
Over half of the population take supplements in the form of multivitamin pills. But these are synthetic and made in a lab from chemicals you don't even want to know the sources of!
The vitamin D in some multivitamins are made from the wool of sheep!
(Seriously, go quickly look it up and come back)
Furthermore, due to isolation, these lab created vitamins are not chemically or molecularly identical to their whole food counterpart.And in some cases, unrecognizable by the body- resulting in inferior absorption and/or utilization.
The bottom line: When you eat real food that grows in nature, you’re not consuming isolated nutrients. You are consuming them whole, as nature intended and your body receives a variety of micronutrients to use. It’s also better for your health and well-being in the long run.
A few more reasons why superfood powders are amazing...
NUTRITIONAL VARIETY
Don't put all your fruits in one basket!
Another common and very important theme is a balanced diet. So even if you are eating healthy foods, but the same few on a daily basis, your body might not be reaping all the benefits. This is because different foods have different nutrients in varying amounts and forms and they each do something different for your body.
As you can see from the list above, superfoods like kale and blueberries can be found at any grocery store. But our superfood blends go way beyond the foods we have access to and are your best (and usually the cheapest) way to get in a huge variety of produce in a raw and whole form.
LESS FOOD WASTE
We're ashamed to admit that we've disposed of our fair share of kale that has gone yellow, spinach that has turned to mush or bananas that had one too many spots on them. According to Canada's Waste Council, wasted food costs the average Canadian household over $1100 a year. They also go on to state that over 60% of food waste is avoidable.
So stop throwing out food that you had good intentions for and grab a superfood powder blend. With a shelf life of atleast 2 years and more, you won't have to worry about your produce turning into compost.
VERSATILITY
Superfood POWDERS are just that- a powder! Which is what makes them extremely versatile. Furthermore, our superfood blends are unflavoured and unsweetened, making them easy to add to so many recipes.
How Do I use Superfood Powders?
They can be blended with smoothies, shaken in water, juice or milk, mixed in with yogurt, oats or chia, sprinkled over snacks and meals and even cooked or baked with!
The possibilities are endless- enjoy!
MOST POPULAR SUPERFOODS
Below is a list of 25 Superfoods truly worthy of the title.
SPIRULINA
SOURCED FROM: JAPAN
Spirulina is loaded with B vitamins, iron, copper and a complete protein source. It's said that, gram for gram, it might be the most nutritious food on the planet. There's over 70+ peer reviewed articles that cover the many benefits of spirulina.
CHLORELLA
SOURCED FROM: JAPAN
An algae rich in protein, vitamins B, C, iron, and omega-3's. Research shows that chlorella aids in detoxifying the body by binding to heavy metals and toxins.
MORINGA
SOURCED FROM: INDIA
Rich in antioxidants, protein and minerals with about 6 times more iron than kale and all 9 essential amino acids. Helps fight inflammation, supports brain and cardiovascular health and reduces liver damage.
LUCUMA
SOURCED FROM: PERU
Even depicted in ancient paintings of the Incas in Peru, this sweet tasting fruit is rich in polyphenols and carotenoids, which can protect against chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
CACAO
SOURCED FROM: ECUADOR
Cacao is loaded with antioxidants (more than tea or wine!), calcium, iron and magnesium. According to a published study, 60-90% of the original antioxidants in cacao are lost through “Dutch processing.” So if you want to reap all the benefits from chocolate, stick to cacao. Above all, they are a natural mood elevator and a healthy way to satisfy your chocolate cravings.
CAROB
SOURCED FROM: PORTUGAL
Carob is rich in calcium, fiber and antioxidants that help protect your body from the toxic effects of free radicals. Similar in taste to cacao, but much sweeter and very low in fat!
MESQUITE
SOURCED FROM: PERU
Mesquite is high in protein, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium and soluble fiber. A natural energizer that also helps in the restoration of the intestinal flora.
KALE
SOURCED FROM: USA
A powerhouse of Vitamins A, C and K among many other micronutrients. Our kale powder is freeze-dried, making it the closest thing to fresh, seriously!
BARLEY GRASS
SOURCED FROM: USA
With over 5 times more iron than spinach and loaded with B vitamins, barley grass has been described as a functional food that provides nutrition and benefits. It helps improve blood volume, helps prevent anemia and fatigue.
OAT GRASS
SOURCED FROM: USA
Extremely antioxidant-rich and known to help regulate blood sugar levels and protect against heart disease, this edible grass is gluten free!
WHEAT GRASS
SOURCED FROM: USA
An edible grass (which by the way, is also gluten free) rich in vitamins A, C, E, minerals and over 17 amino acids. It can aid your body in it’s daily detoxification process.
BLUE SPIRULINA
SOURCED FROM: MONGOLIA
Blue spirulina is a type of blue-green algae with a high protein and vitamin content to aid in energy, digestion and immunity.
BUTTERFLY PEA
SOURCED FROM: MONGOLIA
Butterfly pea flowers are rich in anthocyanins and have been consumed for centuries to enhance cognitive function and reduce stress.
COCONUT
SOURCED FROM: PHILIPPINES
Nothing more refreshing than a coconut. The meat of our coconuts are packed with the good fats, other essential nutrients and add a touch of richness to our blends.
BLUEBERRY
SOURCED FROM: USA
A great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, manganese and antioxidants- known to boost heart health, repair and maintain skin, and improve brain function. Our blueberry powder is freeze-dried, making it the closest thing to fresh, seriously!
PINK PITAYA
(Red DragonFruit)
SOURCED FROM: VIETNAM
The intense hot pink vibrance of our freeze-dried red dragon fruit demands attention. Rich in antioxidants, they help protect your cells from damage by free radicals - molecules that can lead to premature aging.
GUARANA
SOURCED FROM: INDIA
Guarana seeds are a great source of natural caffeine. With 4 to 6 times more than coffee beans, they help reduce mental fatigue and boost energy levels for an extended period of time without any crashes or jitters!
RED GOJI BERRY
SOURCED FROM: TIBET
Goji berries are a great source of vitamins A, C, fiber, iron, zinc and contain all the essential amino acids. This helps maintain good immune function. They are best at boosting energy and improving mood.
ACAI BERRY
SOURCED FROM: BRAZIL
Acai palms are native to the rainforests of South America. They are rich in vitamin A, good fats and loaded with antioxidants which help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals throughout the body.
MAQUI BERRY
SOURCED FROM: chile
Maqui berries are extremely high in antioxidants — three times more than blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. They’re primarily rich in anthocyanins, which give the berries their dark purple color. Anthocyanins have been shown to reduce free radical damage, reduce the risk of high blood pressure and even suppress tumor growth.
CAMU CAMU BERRY
SOURCED FROM: PERU
Camu camu berries are rich in vitamin C among other nutrients. They serve as a powerful antioxidant in your body and improve health of your skin and immune system.
BLACK GOJI BERRY
SOURCED FROM: TIBET
Black Goji berries are exceptionally high in antioxidants. They also help boost the immune system and improve circulation.
ACEROLA CHERRY
SOURCED FROM: BRAZIL
Acerola cherries are an excellent source of vitamin C among other micronutrients. They are best used for immune function, treating skin blemishes and promoting skin elasticity
We have scoured the world to find vibrant and functional fooDS- all to help you keep going !
We created a line of superfood blends using these superfood ingredients and paired them with tons of recipe inspo to make healthy eating fun & easy for you.
All this information might seem overwhelming, but not to worry. One thing to takeaway is that these ingredients are all really good for you. And the great part about them is that these ingredients were combined to form blends that each serve a simple function!
our CUSTOMERS & THEIR LOVELY CREATIONS!
"...they weren't kidding when they said you really do feel the difference" - Jennifer H.
"Naturally delicious and super versatile blends" - Stephanie L.
"Enjoy adding them to my oats, yogurt, smoothies. LOVE your recipes!" - Megan P.
