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Each year, there are foods that emerge as so-called superfoods that are actually really good for you.
“Whether these trendy superfoods have staying power has yet to be seen, but the fact remains that incorporating them into your diet can not only diversify your options, but improve your overall health,” said Jodie R. Orwig, RD, LDN, Sodexo Clinical Nutrition Manager at Holy Spirit Hospital–A Geisinger Affiliate.
Here are some of the superfoods emerging in 2015:
Cauliflower
“Cauliflower is low in calories, but it’s also full of essential vitamins and minerals you need, including a powerful dose of vitamin C,” Orwig says. It also contains potassium, fiber, folic acid and a sulfur compound called isothiocyante, which protects health and prevents disease.
While these health benefits alone are reason enough to eat cauliflower, its versatility is what is really making it popular. It can be roasted, sautéed with spices, and even pureed and added to foods like mashed potatoes, pizza crust and more to increase a dish’s healthy factor.
Black rice
Don’t let the color turn you off from this food. Its color is actually part of what makes it a superfood.
“The darker the food is naturally, the more nutritious it tends to be. The same goes for black rice – it contains more vitamin E than brown rice,” says Orwig. Black rice is also high in antioxidants, protein and iron.
Farro
This ancient strain of wheat may be able to stimulate your immune system and lower your cholesterol. It’s high in fiber, vitamin B3 and zinc. Farro, also known as emmer, is also versatile. It can be paired with fruit and yogurt for breakfast, added to soups, or used as a substitute for pasta.
Coconut flour
Coconut flour is becoming more main stream with the popularity of gluten-free and wheat-free diets. It is made from dried, ground coconut meat.
“Coconut flour is high in protein and dietary fiber. And, since most of the fiber is soluble, it can help you feel full, prevent constipation and enhance colon health,” Orwig says.
Blackberries
Blueberries are always being hyped as a superfood, but there’s another berry that packs a major nutritional punch in a tiny package: the blackberry.
“The polyphenols found in blackberries may help reduce cognitive decline that tends to occur with age. They are also rich in fiber,” says Orwig.
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