When was the term superfood first used in advertising? No one really knows. According to Slate Magazine, bananas were the world’s first superfood for its nutritious, delicious all in one packaging. Because the banana does much more than just satiate an empty stomach, it’s abilities to deliver nutrients and fiber naturally are reason enough to call it a superfood! This example, and many others, will be our shocking adventure into the world of deceptive, manipulating advertising that anyone can easily break down for future shopping endeavors.
These 3 uncommon facts about superfoods will keep you healthy, without the sway of beautiful marketing, and informed when you’re browsing the aisles:
#1 Superfoods Include: Vegetables, Allergens, and Farm-Raised Fish Surprisingly, almost any food can be labelled as a superfood with little requirements. Wikipedia states that a food must claim to have “exceptional nutritional value.” Essentially, every fruit, vegetable, nut, and seed on the planet is a superfood because it contains essential vitamins and minerals. In a world filled with processed goods and frankenfood, it can be tough to see real nutrition between the crust of a Pop Tart. Choosing real berries over the high fructose corn syrup solids in that pastry is always a good choice. However, eating something just because it is labelled as a superfood will greatly deter you from nutritional variety. Sometimes, ensuring you are taking in a multitude of different foods is more vital to health than eating superfoods alone. #2 Superfoods Are In Your Pantry “Maybe people need to be reminded that superfoods are already in your cupboard,” Nutrition Unplugged wrote in So What Does It Mean To Be A Superfood? “They don’t come in a pill, don’t come in a green smoothie. They’re real, whole foods– and they don’t need to cost so much. You don’t really have to eat grass.” Their sentiment compares oatmeal, plain and unprocessed, against superfood labelled, sugar added dehydrated berry bit filled oatmeal flakes. Thinking about the comparison now, it makes complete sense. However, the lure of unhealthy versus healthy options when shopping at the supermarket can feel daunting. The marketing of “superfood” on a product is surely designed to catch the eye of someone seeking a better alternative to what they’re craving. Chocolate chip cookies or processed, berry bit superfood oatmeal? The choice becomes incredibly easy. Make the better choice. |
Just as fruits and vegetables bring more to the table than just taste, spices operate in the same fashion! Turmeric, one of the world’s most popular cooking spices, has incredible anti-inflammatory properties with antioxidants for additional healing. It is also labelled a superfood! Ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and garlic are also superfood spices, bringing radical flavor and nutrition to dishes all over the world.
Finding a way to add superfoods without the processed smoothie additives that scour the market is easy when you turn to spices! Simply grate ginger in with garlic for stir fry dishes, cinnamon tastes fantastic in oatmeal or coffee, and black pepper compliments meat or tofu in any meal!
Don’t fall for the fake stuff; use whole foods that are not processed and reap the entire spectrum of benefits from superfoods!
Which superfood fact surprised you the most? Share your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #rylwellnesswednesday and #roswellyogalife!