A Few Superfoods Easily Available In Our Supermarkets
656 days agoOne of the best ways to improve your health is to consume healthier foods. I mean not even the most pro-modern medicine health food skeptic will disagree with that right. Superfoods usually contain huge amounts of nutrients, vitamins and minerals than other types of food. In the processed food world we live in, this becomes way more important. We are what we eat. If you eat rubbish, you will get rubbish. Probably why a lot of Singaporeans are having poor health these days – JUNK FOOD. And just a few weeks ago, I went to McDonalds to have a quick breakfast, I was shocked to find that half the patrons in the McDonalds were elderly ladies! I was kind of surprised at first, but I understood that those McDonalds meals are pretty tasty and for the elderly, it is important as the McDonald’s meals usually don’t require much chewing. Understandable that old people are starting to flock to McDonalds.
Anyway, the problem with “superfoods” is that they can cost a lot. Try purchasing Spirulina and you will understand, it costs S$99 for several hundred grams of Spirulina tablets. When I first saw the pricing, I thought I must be dreaming! But alas, the prices for most brands of Spirulina are the approximately the same. But seriously, the prices for Spirulina shouldn’t be that expensive. In fact, it is a stable part of South American diet and I really doubt that people in South America can afford such prices. I then realize it does not have anything to do with how much it cost to produce Spirulina, but how much people are willing to pay for them. So I decided to look for superfoods that is easily and cheaply available in our local supermarket. But of course, in Singapore, most prices in our local supermarkets are already very much inflated.
1. Coconuts – You can easily find them in our local supermarkets and wet markets. Look for those young Thai coconuts. They are especially good when drunk cold in the warm sunny afternoons. Not too sweet and very very refreshing. The coconut water also is full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals for good health. It has one of the highest sources of electrolytes known. From what I read, it is known to help reduce weight, reduce the risk of heart diseases, lower your cholesterol levels and boost your energy. Avoid those canned coconut water. Get them fresh!
2. Apples – Well, it is available everywhere and it is a superfood. Most people don’t realize that. Remember the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? It is kind of true, seeing that apples are a great source of nutrients, loaded with tons of antioxidants, vitamins and helps strengthen gums. And what about the fiber in each apple?
3. Peanuts – Super cheap superfood. Available like everywhere. Good source of protein and antioxidants. And doctors say that peanuts are good for the heart. It is just too bad that most peanuts sold in Singapore are salted and roasted, which destroys some of the health benefits. I also find that the salted varieties are just way too salty. Nevertheless, if you can, find unsalted peanuts. They do make great tasting snacks when you are watching the TV.
4. Tea – Singapore does have a large Chinese population and with that, comes tea. I normally drink green and white tea but I guess all types of tea gives some sort of health benefit to the drinker. One of the most important benefits is the cancer fighting properties as well as the antioxidants in tea. Tea also stimulate the immune system, helps fight high blood pressure, prevent blood clotting, helps fight against viral and bacterial infections. I highly recommend everyone to drink at least one cup per day.
5. Yogurt – Yes, one of my favourite foods! Although they come in a variety of favours and “fillings”, I would highly recommend you to try to plain kind. Yes, they might be a little tart, but after a while, you will find them rather delightful with some pieces of fruits. I know I am. Anyway, yogurt is high in calcium, protein, B vitamins and many other nutrients and vitamins. However, the most important is the live cultures in the yogurt. These little beneficial bacteria helps to strengthen your immune system.
6. Sea Weed – We love them don’t we? I mean they probably originated from Japanese cuisine but who cares. From what I read on the Internet, it seems to suggest that sea weed contains all the necessary minerals a body needs to survive. They also contains different types of vitamins, even the rare B12 vitamin which is not commonly found in land vegetables. Of course, most of the sea weed we get in our stores are those meant as snacks. So they come loaded with soya sauce and are usually salted. Not really that good for health if you ask me. So try go for those which are meant for cooking.
Sure, this list is not comprehensive. Not even by half. So if you guys have anything to add, please leave a comment. I would greatly appreciate any constructive comments.
