I am not too proud to admit that I used to be a very nutrient-poor eater. It wasn’t until my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis diagnosis that I began consuming nutrient-rich foods as the majority of my daily intake. Let me tell you, I wish I made the change sooner. Not only do I feel better, sleep better, and digest better but it’s also been very rewarding literally seeing the changes in my bloodwork.
To continue toward my health goals, I recently did some more research to find out which foods give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to vitamins and minerals. In doing so, I came up with a list of five “superfoods” – foods that are high in nutrients and have many biological benefits. I plan to incorporate these five into my next grocery trip and expect them to aid me significantly in crushing my goals.
I invite you to try them, as well!
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi Mushroom is nicknamed the “mushroom of immortality,” so you know it must be a good one! Disclaimer: Consuming it will not make you live forever. Sorry!
However, it still has many great benefits:
- Anti-cancer properties
- Boosts immunity, helping you fight off infections
- High in antioxidants
- May lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, promoting heart health
- Combats stress, aches, pains, and irritability
- Fights fatigue
- May have antihistamine effects, helpful to those with allergies
Because it is tough and not the tastiest of foods, Reishi mushroom is often consumed as a capsule or extract. I actually drink my Reishi in Rebbl’s Reishi Chocolate Super Elixir, which tastes more like a delicious dessert than an herbal drink. For you chocolate lovers out there – I highly recommend it!
Raw Sauerkraut
This one is all about gut health, which is a major focus of mine right now. My case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis actually stems from inflammation in my digestive system (leaky gut syndrome). Therefore, to feel better and maintain my wellness, gut health is key!
Raw sauerkraut contains loads of probiotics – the good bacteria that keep your digestive system balanced and absorbing nutrients effectively. I currently take a probiotic supplement in hopes of having a balanced internal environment. However, according to alternative medicine physician Dr. Joseph Mercola, two ounces of (homemade) sauerkraut has more probiotics than an entire bottle of probiotic supplements. Homemade is important in this instance, as store-bought sauerkraut often contains preservatives and additives that decrease health benefits. With that said, Cathy’s Gluten Free has a simple recipe for homemade raw sauerkraut that will be sure to make your tummy happy.
As a somewhat picky eater, I’m not sure if I will like sauerkraut (never tried it). However, I’m definitely going to suck it up and put my tastebuds aside for the great probiotic benefits! Who’s with me?
Salmon
“Fatty fish” was a very common phrase said throughout my nutrition classes. And this is because these fish are loaded with essential fatty acids that we need to consume, as they are very important in health and our bodies cannot make them.
Salmon is one of these all-important fatty fish along with tuna, mackerel, and sardines. However, it is important to note: Always strive for wild-caught, as farmed fish contain fewer vitamins and nutrients and can even be harmful.
Along with providing Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon also has other major health benefits:
- Supports the brain to protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Part of a heart-healthy diet
- Combats depression
- High in B vitamins
- Great source of selenium, a mineral that’s vital to Thyroid health
- Great source of protein
- May help with weight loss goals
My husband and I recently tried salmon and loved it. I simply seasoned it with salt, pepper, and a lemon garlic mixture and baked it for about 15 minutes. It was so simple, yet delicious. I’m excited to try even more recipes, as it really is a versatile ingredient. This is probably the one we’ll try next.
Kale
When I think of the stereotypical superfoods, kale is the first one that comes to mind. And that is for a very good reason – it’s a nutrient powerhouse. I have added it to my list because it’s not a food I consume often, but now that’s going to change!
I’ll say it again, kale is loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Just look at this list from Healthline on what it contains:
- Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
- Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
- Manganese: 26% of the DV
- Calcium: 9% of the DV
- Copper: 10% of the DV
- Potassium: 9% of the DV
- Magnesium: 6% of the DV
I would highly recommend fitting kale into a smoothie recipe, salad, or stirfry as much as possible, as it really is one of the most nutrient-dense foods out there. You will feel much better because of it!
Chlorella
My bet is that you haven’t heard of this one before! I honestly hadn’t either until I read about it in Healthy Healing.
Chlorella is a type of blue-green algae that has a very high concentration of chlorophyll, the molecule in plants responsible for photosynthesis that has many health benefits. It is typically taken as a supplement and can also be added to smoothies as a powder. With how easy it is to consume, I would highly recommend it, as its list of benefits is long:
- May help heal tumors
- Great support of immune health
- Stabilizes blood pressure
- Reduces fatigue from viral infections such as Epstein-Barr and Herpes
- Relieves digestion conditions such as hiatal hernia, gastritis, and ulcers
- Decreases menopausal symptoms
- Strong anti-cancer properties
- Reduces arthritis stiffness
- May aid in weight loss due to cleansing properties
- Supports the liver and your body’s innate ability to cleanse
Chlorella powder is easily available online. This is the one I will most likely try first.
“Chlorella…acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, in your body and carrying them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful, as chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.” – Dr. Oz, https://nuts.com/cookingbaking/powders/chlorella/powder
Do you have any great recipes that include one or more of these five superfoods? Have you noticed a difference in your health thanks to one of them? As always, feel free to share below!
& be well!