You have probably heard the term superfood before. A superfood is any type of food that helps protect against illnesses and improve your overall health. There are a number of superfoods, but there are some that you want to make sure that you include in your diet. Below are five superfoods that you want to make sure that you are eating on a regular basis:

Berries

Berries are packed with nutrients that help you get through your day. They also taste great and are low in calories. The anthocyanins are the chemicals that give blueberries their colour. These chemicals help prevent eye conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Anthocyanins also help strengthen the capillaries and improve your circulation. Additionally, blueberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, so you want to make sure that they are a part of your daily diet. An easy way to get more blueberries into your diet is eat them with your morning cereal. You can also put them inside of your yogurt.

Oats

You can start your day off the right way with oats. Oats are not only a great fibre source, but they are also rich in beta glucan. Beta glucan is a type of carbohydrate that reduces the amount of cholesterol that the body absorbs. Oats are also a great source for potassium, the B vitamins, magnesium and vitamin E. If you eat oats for breakfast, you will be able to stay full longer and maintain a healthy body weight.

Oily fish

You probably know that omega 3 fatty acids are great for your body. These nutrients help protect your brain, eyesight and reduce the amount of inflammation in the body. Salmon is an example of oily fish that is also rich in iodine, zinc and potassium. You should try to get two or three servings of oily fish per week.

Lentils

Lentils are certainly not the most popular food choice because they do not have much of a taste to them. However, you certainly do not want to leave lentils out of your diet. Lentils are rich in fibre and protein. They will also make a good meat substitute. Lentils have a low glycemix index, which means that they are slowly digested by the body and do not cause your blood sugar to spike. They are also rich in vitamin B-1 and folate. You can add lentils to your meat, stew or salads.

Nuts

Nuts are considered a superfood because they are high in the good fats. Nuts are also an excellent source of protein and fibre, which helps keep you full longer. Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and zinc are some of the other minerals found in nuts. Because nuts have different nutritional profiles, make sure that you eat a variety of raw nuts.

Berries, oats, oily fish, lentils and nuts are just five of the many superfoods available. If you want to know whether a particular food is considered a superfood, check to see whether it is processed. Fruits and vegetables that are superfoods are very colourful – hence they will have very colourful juices. Be on the lookout for another superfood article, so that you can introduce new superfoods to your diet. If you eat plenty of superfoods, you will be well on your way to living a healthy and happy life.