Thursday, May 17, 2012

Will the real superfoods please stand up?


When we think superfoods, we generally conjure up images of exotic berries, green and blue algae, weirdly-shaped mushrooms, and above all expensive price tags. Sadly, we get so caught up in the hype surrounding these unusual food items (not to deny their place, their health benefits are proven) that we forget some of the simpler superfoods that lie right in front of us.

Given that winter is fast approaching, and our seasonal menu is in full swing (we can’t get enough of the lentil and green soups at the UR HQ), we thought we’d share some of these everyday superfoods with you. Sounds like a contradiction in terms doesn’t it? It’s not. They may be all around us but these everyday superfoods hide a veritable plethora of nutrients and health benefits.

Check out these bad boys:

Asparagus

High in vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate and chlorophyll. The fibre in asparagus has a very mild laxative effect, and can benefit the gastrointestinal tract and colon when consumed regularly. This little green shoot also contains glutathione, a clever phytochemical that helps reduce the risk of cancer.

Broccoli

A member of the brassica family, broccoli is closely related to cabbage and cauliflower. It's high in vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, chlorophyll and fibre. Broccoli and the entire brassica family are also beneficial in preventing cancer.

Lentils

Containing eight of the nine essential amino acids, lentils are an excellent source of protein. These little legumes are high in vitamins A and C, folate, phosphorous, calcium, iron and fibre. They also help balance blood sugar and lower cholesterol.

And the good news is all of these little beauties are in our winter soups. Enjoy!




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