Stella’s Top 22 Superfoods
Tried and loved, these are Stella’s favourite Superfoods!
‘The fruit that cries or expels water’ is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! This high-energy berry of an Amazon palm tree is full of antioxidant properties, which out perform any other food on the planet. Also high in amino acids and essential fatty acids it improves energy, assists with weight loss and balances hormones. Often found in juice or powdered form, Açai is a fabulous addition to a juice, shake or smoothie!
The ‘Alligator Pear’ with its shape and leather-like appearance, is a fruit high in water (75%) and ‘good’ mono-saturated fats. Avocados are nutrient dense, rich in vitamin C & E, and are great for maintaining a healthy appetite. A source of fibre and an asset during pregnancy for the developing baby, they also assist with the absorption of nutrients of other foods.
Considered as nature’s most complete nourishing food as it contains almost all ingredients required by humans. Bee Pollen is rich in protein (40%), vitamins including B-complex, folic acid and free amino acids. With more amino acids than a serving of eggs, beef or cheese of equal weight, Bee Pollen is also richer in protein than any animal source. This superfood will enhance energy, sooth skin, assist the respiratory and digestive system, treat allergies and boost immunity. Used holistically, Bee Pollen can also help healing with addictions, support cardiovascular systems, aid prostate health and infertility. Best consumed in the morning and with fruit. Pop a bit in your breakfast smoothie or sprinkle over some fruit salad.
Blue and delicious, known as ‘brain food’ to assist with Alzheimer’s prevention, Blueberries also help with cancer fighting, urinary health and lowering cholesterol. They are an anti-diabetes food, which assist with weight loss, circulatory and digestive health … that’s a big feat for a little berry! If you can get them ‘wild’ even better, they have 48% more antioxidants than farmed berries – the antioxidants fright the free radicals in your body, helping boost your immunity. These are a Stella addition to the breakfast smoothie!
One of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, the two popular varieties of Blue-Green Algae are spirulina and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). This superfood is 70% plant protein with higher levels of beta-carotene than broccoli. Containing over 65 vitamins, minerals and enzymes as well as the complete 8 essential amino acids and 10 non-essential amino acids. Up to 97% of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes of Blue-Green Algae are easily absorbed by the body (compared to some supplements which hover around 5-25% absorption). AFA contains the most biologically active chlorophyll of any known food. A super addition to smoothies, juices and shakes as well as raw desserts … even raw chocolate!
Renowned for it’s health-giving properties, the ‘cabbage sprout’ or Broccoli is an anti-inflammatory of the Brassica family. This green machine enhances detoxification, protective effect against cancer, digestive and cardiovascular support, cholesterol lowering (when consumed raw), a vitamin C & D booster, and also a good source of beta-carotene, folate and fibre. You can’t beat organic, raw Broccoli dipped in some homemade hummus!
‘The food of the gods’; Cacao is the worlds best source of antioxidants, magnesium, chromium, manganese and iron. Raw Cacao comes in the form of; cacao beans, cacao nibs, cacao powder and cacao butter. Cacao is renowned as a natural aphrodisiac and a mood and energy enhancer. It also increases longevity and assists with cardiovascular health and building strong bones. This superfood is more potent in its most natural state – whole cacao beans and nibs are best.
Containing 30-60 times more vitamin C than oranges, Camu Camu fruits are said to contain the most vitamin C of any plant in the world. Effective against depression and an aid in curbing the effects of the herpes virus as well as combating attention deficit disorder. Camu Camu also boosts immunity, helps eye sight, reduces inflammation, improves respiratory health and supports collagen, tendons and ligaments. Try a teaspoon a day in clean water, juice or smoothies!
A tiny little seed jam packed full of goodness! Black or white, Chia seeds are highly nutritional and a natural source of fibre, antioxidants, protein and amino acids, essential fatty acids, essential minerals; calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium and copper, vitamins A, B & E. Raw is best but they work baked and cooked too. Mix, sprinkle, stir in or add Chia to whatever your heart desires.
Organic, unrefined, undeodorised, cold pressed, Coconut Oil is your new best friend. This is the healthy option to cook with as, unlike other oils including olive oil, it won’t oxidise when heated. Said to be the best source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) thus not having a negative effect on cholesterol levels. Easily digestible and converted into energy, Coconut Oil will speed up your metabolism. Treats Candida and other fungal and bacterial infections, Coconut Oil is also wonderful for the skin. Handy as a sunscreen too as it screens 20% ultraviolet exposure. It’s the Stella favourite in food, as a face and body moisturiser, hair oil and for oil pulling.
A little seed packing a big punch! Cultivated in 3000 BC by the Babylonians, Flaxseeds are known to reduce cholesterol, protect the blood vessels from inflammation and are a top source of omega 3’s. As well as being a high source of antioxidants, fibre Flax Seeds are a warrior in cancer prevention and also help regulate the digestive tract, while assisting with nutrient absorption in the intestinal tract. Whole or ground, add them and their nutty flavour to your meals or drizzle some Flaxseed oil over your salad and veggies at dinner.
Also known as Wolfberries, these red ‘longevity enhancing’ beauties are linked to many positive health benefits including anti-aging, immune-system protection, clearing the skin, body-ache reduction, lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Containing 18 amino acids, 8 of which are our essential amino acids as well as up to 21 trace minerals. Goji Berries are high in antioxidants, polysaccharides, B & E vitamins and iron, just to name a few.
The favourite protein amongst non-meat eaters, Hemp products are light with a nutty flavour. Eaten raw, mixed with drinks or baked Hemp products have 33% pure digestible protein. They are also rich in amino acids, iron, omega 3’s, GLA and vitamin E. You can even make your own natural body products with Hemp! Love that.
All hail the Kale: The king of the leafy green. Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which promotes healthy eyesight, one cup of Kale contains almost all of your daily requirements of vitamin A, C & K. A source of potassium, manganese, iron, phosphorus and over 45 different antioxidant falvonoids assisting cancer prevention, Kale also detoxifies and lowers cholesterol … amazing! Raw, sautéed, liquidised or cooked, Kale is fabulous.
This excellent source of vitamin B is grown on beet sugar or molasses, left to dry then ferment. It does not create yeast in the body but will add a super source of B-12 to a vegetarian or vegan diet (both of which are often low in B-12). Containing 18 amino acids, folic acid, biotin, protein, and other vitamins, Nutritional Yeast is also rich in 15 minerals including magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, chromium and phosphorus. Sprinkled over salads, soups or mains, it adds a delicious ‘cheesy’ flavour!
Grown in the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years, this nutrient rich plant is famous for it’s energy and libido increasing ability. Some women may also benefit from Maca’s ability to balance hormones, regulate menstrual cycles, reduce cramping and PMS symptoms as well as increase bone strength. Men can benefit form Maca’s ability to assist with erectile dysfunction, stamina, improved fertility and also stabilise their hormones.
An organic form of sulfur in all living organisms, MSM is a molecular food. Consumed in a crystal powder form it is an essential superfood for everyone, as even on a raw food diet we are lacking in sulfur. Taking MSM potentially increases the absorption of all food nutrients and supplements taken within 12 hours of consumption.
Noni the nourishing treasure, wild harvested from the tropical forests of Vanua Levu, Fiji. Pure Noni juice has been used for up to 2000 years by people of the South Pacific. Noni has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Seventeen amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, this immune boosting tonic is also rich in zinc, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium and potassium. Amid the list of benefits, memory strengthening and body toxin removal are two areas Noni also assists with.
An aphrodisiac also revered for it’s medicinal purposes, this antioxidant and anti-inflammatory fruit is a source of; tannis, which lower blood pressure and stimulate the immune system; anthocyanins which reduce inflammation and protect blood vessels; and polyphenols, which help the body rid itself of cancer-causing agents. This ruby red gem is also a brainpower booster from its vitamin E.
The brain, heart and antioxidant berry. Over 600 hundred varieties of Strawberries are found around the world. An excellent source of vitamin C, manganese and fiber, the brain enhancing antioxidants also include anthocyanins and quercetin. The C3G found in Strawberries also assists with regulating the appetite and increasing fat-burning. Delicious from breakfast to dessert; fresh, juiced, chopped or even dipped in raw chocolate! Yum!
Extracted from red wheat berry seed sprouts, this strain of wheat has been used for thousands of years around the world for it’s healing properties. Alive and growing until it is juiced, Wheatgrass is a whole meal and complete protein with about 30 enzymes. With up to 70% chlorophyll it is a super blood builder and an eliminator of body and breath odours to boot. An excellent source of zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, Wheatgrass is a natural body cleanser/detoxer. This is the best shooter you can have!
The Incan ‘mother of all grains’, Quinoa is a gluten-free seed from South America. High in protein and essential vitamins and minerals including calcium, phosphorus and iron, as well as the eight essential amino acids required for good health ad repair. With age-fighting manganese Quinoa is a powerful antioxidant that can assist the body in protecting against free radicals (particles in the environment that cause cell damage). Quick and easy to prepare, Quinoa makes for a super addition to any meal.
Now that’s a lot of Superfood Fabulousness!
A couple of other powerful fav’s you may enjoy trying are charcoal, barberries & black rice!
What are your favourite Superfoods, StellaTribe?
With Love, S*M.