There are new natural food sources being discovered nearly on a daily basis, which offers dynamic healthy effects on the body. They are known as superfoods. They have the power to fortify every cell in the body to make them healthier.
So move over kale and quinoa, there are now newer healthy sources available.
Eating habits are now slowly but surely converting towards healthier more natural foods.
So the mainstream supermarkets have no choice but to comply, as these superfoods are now becoming staples in the diets of the western world, seeking better health.
This variety includes everything from spices, herbs, grains, fruits and vegetables.
There’s also a constant demand for new sources of superfoods to be introduced.
So prepare yourself for new infusions of drinks and foodstuffs to hit the local markets.
1.) -Homemade Bone Broth
Broth is ancient and grandma’s secret weapon. It’s also an essential staple for the followers of the Paleo diet.
It’s now reaching mainstream, as a suitable alternate to the sodium and chemical rich broth found in the supermarkets.
It’s superior to prepare from home, as brewing stock naturally offers high sources of protein and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
It’s greatest benefit is providing healthier hair and nails, while soothing the digestive system.
To make wholesome bone broth, add the bone of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, or fish in a large stock pot.
Add water, herbs, and your favorite vegetables such as garlic, onions, carrots, chili, and seasoning.
Simmer up to 12 hours on low heat.
2.) – Kefir Is Kewl
One of the most recent superfood trends has been fermentation. What’s now available are a variety of options other than just yogurt.
Kefir is a fermented food which has recently become popular.
This is a dairy product which tastes similar to yogurt, with a consistency much more like milk.
It offers excellent levels of probiotics, which is the healthy gut bacteria that keeps the digestive system functioning optimally.
Despite being a dairy product, kefir is low in lactose while high in calcium and phosphorus.
It’s found in either effervescent or non-effervescent form, with flavoring such as berries or plain.
It has a distinct sharp tangy taste which may not be suitable for everyone, so the best result may be to add it to smoothies where it can be blended with other fruits.
3.) – Kombucha For The Win
Kombucha is another healthy fermented beverage, a popular brew at one time that needed to be prepared from home, this to enjoy its comforting benefits.
This superfood however is going mainstream and now available in most health and Asian supermarkets.
What kombucha tastes like is a fizzy soda drink with a bit of zip. It’s a fermented product from the extract of green or black tea.
Fruit flavors such as berries or citrus, along with aromatics like ginger are infused in the drink for better taste.
The benefit that fermentation offers, is the gut-friendly bacteria known as probiotics.
4.) – Lacto-Fermented Vegetables
Similar to kefir and kombucha, there’s another super fermented food becoming popular with those concerned with gut bacteria, and that’s lacto-fermented vegetables.
If you enjoy the taste if pickles, then you’ll like the taste of lacto-fermented food.
These are fermented vegetables which can easily be made from home, this by using a few simple common ingredients.
What’s present in most plants is the lactobacillus bacteria, which is able to convert sugar that’s found in the body into lactic acid.
What this fermented preservation process does is increases the vitamin, enzyme, and digestibility levels in the foods which are preserved.
There are a variety of recipes available online.
5.) – Maple Water
Maple syrup has for years been a natural sweet treat, this because of the absence of refined white sugar and fructose, which is found in processed candies and store baked goods.
There’s now another maple product hitting the market which is maple water, this to satisfy the sweet tooth while being healthy.
Maple water is the sap that’s found in the maple tree, and considered the next new super beverage, along with coconut water.
Maple water contains antioxidants and minerals which helps better thyroid function, while balancing out sugar levels.
What maple lovers can now enjoy, is this naturally sweet favorite, as a tasty hydration drink.
6.) – Banana Flour
What many are looking for are better baking alternatives to white and wheat flour.
So what’s been introduced recently are sources such as coconut flour, which is used in cakes, cookies, and muffins.
The latest to hit the shelves is banana flour, which is made from unripe green bananas. Unripe because they’re yet to develop their sugar content.
Banana flour offers a delicate nutty flavor and is high in starch.
It can be easily substituted for traditional flour, or to thicken sauces.
Since it’s highly absorbent, you don’t need to use as much as regular flour.
Health benefits include the reduced risk of diabetes, as it helps control blood sugar levels.
7.) – What Is Teff Flour
What’s continuing to trend is the gluten-free movement, and there’s no signs of it slowing down, as many are turning towards more natural alternative grains and flours.
As a result, there are a variety of new options which are constantly made available on the mainstream supermarket shelves, and especially the health stores.
One of the more notable grains which is gaining momentum is teff.
What is teff most wonder.
It’s a gluten free source of grain which is ground into a flour, and can be used for baking or as a thickening agent.
Teff is found higher in protein than wheat flour, while being packed with natural calcium, fiber, and iron.
This new super grain is found in the plains of Ethiopia. It’s also the smallest known grain in the world.
So if you’re interested in another gluten-free alternative, or just looking to add a new flavor to your baking, then it’s time to give teff a try.