5 Superfoods You Need In Your Diet For Strength and Weight Loss

Superfoods seem to be a new and unique source of food that everyone wants to jump on as the best food on the planet – but the thing is, most of these foods are nothing new.

In a modern world, many of us have started to miss out on the basics of complete nutrition. We eat food that is heavily processed and quick to order – but tastes great.

Unfortunately, just because a food is quick and tastes great does not mean that it is healthy in any major way. In fact, much of the food we consume on a daily basis (especially in North America) is not intended to be a part of a complete diet.

Looking at food from this perspective it can be easy to see that these superfoods can make a huge difference in your health. Most of which will contain a vast array of nutrients, protein and even vitamins and minerals – they really are complete sources of food.

In this guide, we will begin to walk you through the most effective superfoods to help increase weight-loss and strength. Let’s get started.

What is A Superfood

Before getting into the foods you should be consuming for optimal health it is important to understand what a superfood actually is.

Superfoods are any food that is comprised of many nutrients that provide your body with energy and vitality.

By this definition, any food that is composed of complex carbohydrates and complete sources of protein could be a superfood.

With that said, the superfoods we will be consuming will contain a good source of fibre and minerals. In my mind, the biggest aspect that many people are missing in their diet is minerals and a good fibre content. These are sources of nutrition that we miss in the modern diet.

Now that we have some parameters on the best superfoods let’s break down which ones you should be eating for optimal health, strength and weight loss.

The Best Superfoods

Quinoa

This is one we all knew was going to be on the list, but truthfully, it’s here for good reason. Quinoa is an ancient grain that has been used to feed the Aztec warriors for Milena. The people of South America still use this food source to feed the masses.

Not only does quinoa contain a good source of protein but also complex carbohydrates, plenty of fibre and a very good source of minerals including iron. This carb is one you should be eating in excess. It will help you to put on muscle and improve your health.

Oat Groats

The original grain, oatmeal has been around since the start of agriculture but rarely gets the attention it deserves. Albert Einstein said himself that oats were his favorite food for when he was working on a project for a long time.

Oats contain a very good source of protein, carbs and contain good vitamins and minerals. The best part about oats is that they can be prepared in numerous ways for a variety of dishes.

Oats have one of the best amino acid spectrum among many of the other grains you can consume making it the perfect food for a post-workout recovery meal or for anyone who is looking for clean strength development. Oatmeal has even been shown to help lower cholesterol and boost your heart health.

Apples

Didn’t see this one coming now did you? Apples not only contain a very good source of carbohydrates but they also have a complete source of vitamins to help you feel energized.

In fact, eating an apple every morning can be one of the best sources of energy – and it’s much healthier in the long run than having a cup of coffee. Apples come in a variety of shapes, sizes and families but what they all have in common is a good source of nutrition and a very good source of fibre.

Eating an apple a day will provide you with around 20-30% of your daily intake of fibre.

Pistachios

Sometimes not seen as one of the best superfoods but these babies have some pretty amazing benefits.

Pistachios contain a very good source of healthy fats, a decent protein spectrum and are very low in carbohydrates. This makes them one of the best foods for a mid-meal snack to help you feel full and happy.

Pistachios also have the unique benefit of being very healthy for your heart.

It seems that by eating more pistachios you can improve your circulation, lower cholesterol and improve your general heart health – not bad for a nut right?

Fish

Many people do not understand that fish is perhaps one of the most common and we’ll utilized source of protein for the human populations. For a very long time humans have been eating fish and say as a staple nutrient to acquire protein.

Additionally, many fish will contain a very good source of healthy fat and a plethora of minerals. Fish protein is highly bioavailable and contains a good amount of omega fatty acids which can be good for heart health and performance in the gym.

If you are not into fish you can always eat sea algae or hemp protein to get your omega fatty acids but you will need to eat more due to the lower bioavailability.

Are Superfoods Essential?

If you have been eating most of your calories from fast food or traditional processed food you will see immense benefits from eating a complete diet that contains some of these superfoods.

Not only will they help to provide a much more complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals, but the macronutrient content will provide much better strength and weight loss.

You will no longer have the urge to overeat because the food you are consuming is empty calories and you will find that you have more strength and more energy each day.

Are superfoods essential? Well, this depends on your personal goals and aspirations for your health and longevity. If you are looking for a better source of energy and performance in the gym these foods will help you to feel stronger and more vital.

Superfoods are essential to you living a full and active life. The constant eating of fast foods and processed foods do not provide your body with a complete source of nutrition.

If you are serious about your health you should start to take a more practical and specific approach to your diet. Consuming many of these superfoods can help you along the way, but the end goal should not be to view them as anything “super”, they should just be a part of your everyday diet.

Related: Best Fat Burning Tips and Tricks for Women

Gabriello Ianniruberto

Gabriello is a writer and strength expert best known for his science-based and practical approach to Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Strength. After serving in a directors position for The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Gabriello moved towards writing to help more people understand the importance of living a healthy life. Gabriello’s writings have been published in several languages on some of the largest health and fitness websites helping people learn, grow and understand the complex components of optimizing human performance in a simplistic way.

Gabriello also takes on specialized, high-performance athletes who are in need of strength, mobility and conditioning programming to optimize their fitness through his Earned Fitness program.

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