A lot of talk has resided around what foods we should eat ideally. In recent years, the likes of sweet potato and kale have been thrust into our attention. However, eating healthy comes with the stereotype of being more expensive, so is it really worth the extra money? And what exactly is a superfood? To be a superfood, the product must be of a high nutritional value.
Here, alongside grow your own veg and crocus bulbs suppliers, Suttons, we look at certain superfoods and whether they are all they are made out to be.
Sardines
Colleagues at work may not befriend you if you take these pungent delights into the office, but they are full of nutritional goodness. The little nutrient powerhouse may provide a strong scent that smacks you in the face, but they can go a long way in helping to reduce inflammation and promoting bone, heart, and skin health. It is a super food indeed!
A sole can of sardines can contain a higher level of calcium than a glass of cow’s milk — 300mg! As well as this they are high in vitamin D and, like avocado, have a great omega 3 fatty acid profile. Some of its great qualities include immune-boosting properties due to its high amount of selenium. This is normally found on its skin, so don’t go skinning this fish! The skin also helps your skin, aiding conditions such as psoriasis.
It’s a superfood that can help you stay full without breaking the bank. A recipe to rely on could be fresh sardines on toast with sweet pickled red onion.
Avocado
Its taste and texture has made the avocado very popular in recent years. It’s becoming more of a major player in restaurant menus due to its easily adaptable approach to recipes. It offers a host of vitamins, including A, C, D, E and K, as well as folic acid, magnesium, potassium, Omega 3, lutein, and fiber.
While some see it as a greasy fruit, the main grease content is actually omega 3 type, meaning it can help lower your cholesterol and prevent heart disease. The grease can be used instead of butter or oil when cooking and the actual flesh can also be used to create hair and face masks. Super, right?
In soups, juice and on toast are places you may find avocado, but why not try creating a budget brunch of guacamole bread that can cost as little as 76p a head?
Mango
The mango is a quick-digesting carbohydrate which can provide up to 25 grams per one cup serving. It is bursting at the seams with over 20 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is thought by many to be one of the tastiest ways to support a healthy lifestyle. The fruit can rapidly boost your energy at a time when your body needs it.
If the idea of a whole mango doesn’t appeal, why not try a chicken mango salad? A great way to get the most out of the mango in a tasty, light and cheap dinner.
Sweet Potato
The sweet potato is another powerhouse of nutrients. Jam-packed with carbohydrates, minerals and antioxidants, this orange tuber is a great source of potassium. This, according to studies, aids muscle tissue repair and can help prevent fatigue in your muscles. Their fibre content is higher than the average potato and, when combined with the likes of magnesium, the sweet potato can help improve your digestion. Elsewhere, they are an effective remedy to curing congestion of the nose, which can help relieve asthma and treat bronchitis. Other benefits are said to include a boosted immune system, helping to cure stomach ulcers, and maintaining the body’s water balance.
Yes, sweet potatoes can be a more expensive alternative to the regular spud, but like their less-healthy counterpart, they are easily prepared. For a tasty recipe look no further than the old staple shepherd’s pie. Simply replace the normal mashed potato topping with sweet potato and you’re onto a winner!
Quinoa
Although it can often be mistaken for a grain, quinoa is full to the brim with nutritional goodness. Featuring all 10 essential amino acids, quinoa is understood to be a complete protein which can help your muscles repair. Due to it being a complex carbohydrate, offering 46 grams each cup, it provides longer lasting energy.
It is also a gluten free option and is higher in fiber. However, it is not all soluble fiber. It has a low glycemic index which can help be part of a lower calorie intake. With many believing quinoa is an expensive commodity, a quick and easy cheap recipe is spinach and mushroom quinoa.
Smart Superfoods
Some foods come and go, but these five superfoods look like they are here to stay. With so much goodness to offer, they don’t have to be part of an expensive recipe and by researching meals, you can incorporate into your diet without adding too much cost to your weekly shop.
Some foods come and go, but these five superfoods look like they are here to stay. With so much goodness to offer, they don’t have to be part of an expensive recipe and by researching meals, you can incorporate into your diet without adding too much cost to your weekly shop.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about whether fitness superfoods are really worth it for your dieting while striving to save money.
Interested in more articles about frugal fitness superfoods?
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