Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

We hear the term ‘superfood’ being banded about now, more than ever, but what does the term really mean?

There is no official definition of a superfood, but it tends to refer to foods that are rich in levels of much-needed vitamins and minerals.

Many are also a reliable source of antioxidants, which protect our bodies from cell damage and help prevent certain diseases.

Whilst those cakes, crisps and fizzy drinks taste great, in reality they add very little nutritious value and can be a cause of feeling miserable, moody, anxious and agitated.

By adding a few nutrient packed foods to your diet you could be just a forkful away from a calmer, happier, healthier, more energetic you.

Whether they are boiled, poached or scrambled, there is no getting away from the fact that eggs are super good for you. They are a fantastic great source of protein, which when broken down are created into amino acids that are used to make the clever neurotransmitters that balance your moods. Enjoy for breakfast with tomatoes and avocado and you will start your day the happy way.

Prunes are packed with polyphenols, plant chemicals that apparently boost bone density by stimulating your bone-building cells. They are also a fabulous way to keep regular! Snack on a couple and know you are doing some good.

Rather than heading to the vending machine for a morning snack, go for nuts and seeds instead. They come packed with protein making amino acids that will keep your minds and mood balanced until lunchtime.

Chocolate doesn’t have been taken out of your diet altogether, but getting rid of white and milk versions is a good move. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain and heart. Have a square a day, just to be on the safe side, but don’t over do it – everything in moderation.

If you want brain-boosting food, look no further than fish. Wild salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies are all jam packed with super healthy omega 3 fats that have been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which boosts mood and happiness.

If you aren’t a fish fan but want to enjoy the benefits of omega three, try chia seeds. These tiny speckles of goodness can be added to cereal, salads, porridge and smoothies and will offer a blast of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and calcium.

A serotonin friendly food is the good old banana. Eat on the go or add to fortified cereals, include in smoothies or slice on rice cakes with peanut better and smile knowing you are being kind to your body and brain.

Want to be big and strong as well as heathy – go for spinach. Just half-cup provides more than five times your daily dose of Vitamin K, which helps blood clot and builds strong bones. Add to a vitamin packed breakfast smoothie and you will fill tip-top all day.

Unlike vegetables gown on the land, sea-grown vegetables are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, as well as bone-friendly calcium and magnesium, iron, potassium, iodine, and zinc. Seaweed is a great choice and you can enjoy with sushi or simply layer with brown rice, tomatoes and avocado.

You probably don’t know this but that kitchen cupboard lurker, cinnamon, can be used to help balance blood sugar levels, which in turn keeps cravings and hunger at bay.

Green tea is a super food that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat everything from headaches to depression. It is thought the leaves in this tea are rich in antioxidants as well as B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and healthy levels of caffeine. If you want to try to boost weight loss, reduce cholesterol, combat cardiovascular disease, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, there are worse things to do than drink a cup of green tea.

So, step away from that coffee and cake and go for a superfood snack that will make you glow from head to toe.

Team Pure-Beauty.