“Superfood” is definitely a buzzword that can be hard to define, but it’s essentially any food that’s recognized to have significant nutritional value! You probably already incorporate kale, chia, and matcha into your diet, but we wanted to know what’s up-and-coming in the superfood world. Cara Clark from Cara Clark Nutrition gave us 3 of her favorite new superfoods as of late, and we’re definitely inspired to start giving these a go, too!
Kefir – Probiotics have been paving the way to a healthy gut for a while now. But, do realize there are probiotic and prebiotic foods we can focus on too! Kefir has been around for ages, but it’s once again gaining in popularity. Fermented foods, like kefir, are a great way to boost gut microbiome, which is a great way to boost your immune system. We usually see kefir in the form of a dairy product, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ll be seeing more coconut water kefir throughout the year. A great way to start incorporating kefir would be in your smoothies!
Spirulina – We’ve seen matcha lattes, turmeric lattes, and all kinds of bright colored beauties that promise us the world. The matcha and turmeric are certainly not retiring, but they need to make space for spirulina. Spirulina is a super nutrient extracted from blue-green algae. I will say it looks pretty, but there’s a taste curve to it, so go slowly. We’ve been adding this great superfood to smoothies for years, but now seeing it pop up in other recipes, like lattes. It’s rich in antioxidants, like chlorophyll and beta-carotene. It’s also high in iron and vitamin K and even offers some amino acids and gamma-linolenic acid which is an essential fatty acid.
CBD or Cannabis Oil – Gone are the stigmas surrounding this super plant. Without THC, they are going mainstream! Don’t be confused with hemp seeds, which are definitely fatty acid-rich, but they do not have the same effects. You’re looking for cannabinoid-rich. I personally have used the oil for anxiety and relaxation. We’ll start to see this ingredient pop up in anything from recipes of baked goods to beauty products. CBD is probably most well known for calming effects and pain relief, but it’s also helping with acne and heart disease.
Will you be incorporating these new superfoods into your diet? Try some of Cara’s favorite smoothie recipes here!