My Favorite Superfoods Part 1
What is a superfood? The Google search dictionary says it’s a nutrient-rich food, but that’s most plants. If you think of a better title for this post, let me know! Here are some foods I’ve experimented with and enjoy incorporating into my diet.
Healthforce chlorella tablets
Chlorella
What is it?
Chlorella is a type of algae that grows in fresh water, akin to seaweed. I was introduced to chlorella tablets at where else? High Vibe.
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Supporting nutrition research
According to this article from PubMed, “Chlorella products contain numerous nutrients and vitamins, including D and B12, that are absent in plant-derived food sources. Chlorella contains larger amounts of folate and iron than other plant-derived foods.”
“…analysis on the effects of Chlorella supplementation…have suggested that it improves total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels…”
Chlorella is comprised of nearly 60% protein. Comparatively, soybeans are comprised of 33% protein. All essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and histidine) are present in substantial concentrations in chlorella [source].
How I use it
I follow the dosage recommendations on the package. For Healthforce chlorella tablets that’s six tablets daily. I chew all six tablets in the morning at the same time, typically prior to my workout, or soon after. I’ve noticed that chrollela helps balance my energy if my caffeine or fruit sugar high is…too high. It may be acquired, but I also like the way chlorella tastes. It’s not salty, unlike other seaweeds I buy including nori and dulse. Imagine the taste of green. That’s the taste of chlorella.
beet powder
Beet powder
What is it?
We all know beets, also called beetroot. Beet powder is simply dried beets, ground into a powder. My local natural market, High Vibe, sells beet powder. You can even make it yourself. I first heard about beet powder, probably on YouTube, being used as a whole food pre-workout ‘energy drink.’ I decided to check it out.
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According to Cleveland Clinic, “Research shows that consuming beetroot powder or beet juice can boost physical performance and stamina by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery in your body.”
“Beetroot powder is rich in nitrate, a compound made of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitric oxide relaxes and expands your blood vessels, which allows for increased blood flow and more oxygen delivered throughout your body.” Increased blood flow can also help with cognitive function.
Beet powder, and beets in any whole food form, may help lower blood pressure and improve sexual function. Beets contain antioxidants to fight inflammation. Beets are high in fiber. Diets high in fiber can lower the risk of chronic disease. Beets are high in potassium which can help improve heart health.
How I use it
I add 1 heaping teaspoon to about 8 ounces of water. I drink it first thing in the morning before I leave for Bar Method. The article I linked above states beet powder should be consumed 2-3 hours pre-workout to experience during-workout benefits. So it appears it’s not actually helping me during class, but maybe it’s contributing to the post-workout high.
Beet powder tastes earthy and also mildly sweet. I like the taste. If you are already beet averse, try adding beet powders to smoothies instead of water.
maca powder
Maca
What is it?
Maca is an edible herbaceous plant native to South America. It grows in the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia.
I learned about maca at High Vibe (or maybe before that at Live Live) and I decided to try it for hot flashes. Two to three years into menopause, my hot flashes are now undetectable. Is it the soy foods I eat regularly, or the maca, or both? Is it my overall healthy diet? It may be some combination of all of these.
Who remembers Logan Roy adding maca to his smoothies in season 3 of Succession?
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According to Memorial Sloan Kettering, maca is used to improve energy and strength, increase fertility, improve sexual desire, and relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes.
“Experimental scientific evidence showed that maca has nutritional, energizer, and fertility-enhancer properties, and it acts on sexual dysfunctions, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, memory and learning, and protects skin against ultraviolet radiation,” according to this article from PubMed.
Maca is rich in essential amino acids including leucine, arginine, phenylalanine, lysine, glycin, alanine, valine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, serine, and aspartic acid. The composition of dry maca is about 10.2% protein, 59% carbohydrates, 2.2% lipids, and 8.5% fiber. Minerals reportedly found in maca were iron, calcium, copper, zinc, and potassium, among others [source].
How I use it
I add 2-3 teaspoons to my smoothies. Maca has a nutty, butterscotch-reminiscent flavor. It’s also good in overnight oats, chia pudding, and plant yogurts.
Notes
The price of these foods is often high. Some of that may be marketing, in other cases, the price may be reflective of where the food is grown, the care with which it is grown (e.g. organic vs. non-organic farming), the effort required to harvest, the effort required to make a plant available in powder form for easier consumption, etc. These foods are not required for a healthy diet! If you have the budget and interest, check them out and see how you feel.
Have you tried chlorella, beet powder or maca? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
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