Everywhere you look someone is giving you a list of the latest “super foods” — the best of the best to help you get healthy while enjoying mealtime.
From one list to the next — depending on how long it is — there are many similarities. And while some of these foods may not be “super foods,” there is certainly nothing wrong with adding them to your diet on a regular basis.
Let’s take a look at just a few of these foods: — Beans (fresh is best) — Blueberries — Broccoli — Dark chocolate — Olive oil — Oranges — Pumpkin — Salmon — Soy — Spinach — Sprouts — Pomegranate — Tea (plain, or with a touch of honey) — Tomatoes — Turkey — Walnuts — Whole Grains — Yogurt
And I could go on! There are really just so many delicious and nutritious foods for you to choose from out there that it really is difficult to narrow it down to, say, just 10 “top” performers.
But the point is — these foods are full of nutrients, antioxidants, good fats and fiber. Even if you aren’t interested in the “trendy” foods — these “super foods” are really some of your best options.
Being the Food Doctor, you know I enjoy food. One of my favorite things is coming up with delicious new recipes that incorporate these healthy foods. So today I’d like to share one of my favorite light meals — it’s perfect on a hot summer day.
The Superfood Salad
— 4 cups baby spinach — 1/2 cup sprouts — 1 large field tomoato, diced — 1/2 field cucumber, diced — 1/2 red or orange bell pepper, diced — 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced — 1 can mandarin oranges, drained — 1 can wild salmon, packed in water, drained and broken into pieces — 1/2 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained — 1/3 cup skim goat cheese, crumbled — handful of chopped natural almonds or walnuts — handful of natural pumpkin seeds
Be sure to wash all vegetables well. Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl.
Dressing: — 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil — 2 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar — 1 tsp ground flax seed — 1 tsp ground black pepper — 1 tsp dried basil
Mix ingredients together and drizzle lightly over salad. Serves 4-6.
And remember — the next time you get hungry — get healthy!