Posted on March 27, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

I received an email from a popular food chain this week which said “introducing Superfoods to ****” and I instantly thought of the poo foraging, quinoa sales boosting, presenter of the once popular You Are What You Eat Channel 4 programme! I then think back to the early/mid 2000’s (the show after all was 2004!) when some supermarket chains jumped on this term and started to brand everything as “Superfoods” but then due to research (or lack of it), the EU ruled they had to re-label everything as Wholefoods instead. So now this phrase is being used in promotional material being distributed to the unsuspecting public, is the term “Superfood” making a comeback?

I guess the question here should be whether a term which is used to described good food as being super is a bad thing? Surely anything which educates people into understanding that eating a healthier diet of non processed meats, plants, pulses and grains is a good thing? The before mentioned controversial presenter, whether you agreed with her approach or not, introduced the nation (and some overweight TV participants) to Superfoods to lose weight, therefore promoting a healthier diet – something we are still doing today (although our methods may be slightly different)!

There are of course long lists of  the “10 Superfoods you should eat”, and every website varies its contents. And we can still see some lack of that all important scientific evidence as the claims listed are that the Superfood “could help”, “are said to”, “has been proven to”, and is “thought to be”. Ultimately, I think we should just use this term at its simplest level – it’s simply recognising that some foods contain more anti-oxidants and essential nutrients than others.

So do I have a list of Superfoods? Of course I do, and it would be rude not to share it with you. But to be fair, here at Motive8, we’re always telling you about healthy foods – you can make your own lists!

• Avocado – not only delicious and packed full of nutrients and fibre, but they’re also a great source of good fat
• Berries – hydrating and refreshing, the dark skins contain flavonoids which are good for our brain!
• Broccoli – folic acid, vitamin C, magnesium, beta carotene, vitamins B3 and B5, potassium and chromium – BOOM!
• Dark Green Veg – especially treats like Kale, Spring Greens & Spinach. Full of fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals and lutein (for your eyes and complexion)
• Pulses & Beans – low in fat, a good source of magnesium and potassium, full of protein and fibre, blood sugar regulating and generally yummy!
• Nuts & Seeds – natures snacks! Protein, fibre, good fats, calcium – do I need to say any more?

But let’s apply some common sense here. Face it, it is highly unlikely that one single “Superfood” is going to make a significant impact on your health! Balanced and varied is the key – nothing new there then! But as a Guardian article on the same subject suggests, if you want motivation to eat healthy – you can call your food super if it helps! KH

 

http://www.gillianmckeith.com/about/

http://www.foodmatters.tv/superfoods

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/16/do-superfoods-really-exist-antioxidants