Focus Point of the Week: Superfoods

By: Will Sunner

We commonly hear about foods that have little nutritional value and provide “empty calories” such as soda and candy. What we don’t hear enough about are foods with high nutritional value, or “Superfoods”…this week’s Focus Point.

Superfoods have high concentrations of essential nutrients, anti-oxidants and vitamins which have been proven to help prevent disease, as well as improve overall health and longevity. Their benefits range from assisting with weight management, improving cholesterol levels, enhancing cognitive function, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.

Focus on maintaining a smart, balanced “super-diet.” Continue paying attention to portion size, hunger, satiety and fullness to ensure that you don’t overeat. The trick is to eat these foods more frequently, not to eat more in one sitting.

The following Superfoods offer a great nutritional bang-for-your-caloric-buck:

Blueberries
Fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids (wild salmon)
Tea (Black and Green)
Nuts (walnuts and almonds)
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli
Beans
Kiwis
Avocados
Oranges
Dark Chocolate
Low Fat Yogurt

For this week and moving forward, look to include some of these Superfoods into your diet. Please talk with your trainer or check out the Ask Our Dietician app on Facebook with any questions.