You’ve heard so many times the saying that you’re what you eat that you’re probably annoyed by it. But unexpectedly or not, food has a real merit in your life, so you should definitely pay more attention to your eating habits.
Fortunately, today’s range of foods allows for a diversified and balanced diet without you being forced to give up on the pleasure of eating mouth-watering food. There’s an entire spectrum of ingredients, some more known than others, that can both bring considerable health benefits and delight your taste buds all at once. You don’t even need cooking talent to make the most of these magical foods – only seriousness and consistency. You may have heard about berries, spinach, and broccoli, but let’s dive into less common ingredients that are just as nutrient-packed as the ones aforementioned.
We guarantee that once you introduce them into your recipes, you’ll find it impossible to live without them.
Mesquite
Mesquite beans have a longer history than you think, so to briefly answer your consumption regarding their safety, yes, they’re safe to eat. The pods and seeds of the mesquite beans have been used in countries like North and South America for thousands of years for their natural sweetness and health benefits. So, apart from their delicious vanilla-like earthy flavor, they can balance blood sugar thanks to the low glycemic index (GI) rating. Mesquite is also full of protein and fiber, and it can be successfully used in baking or smoothies. As a hint – it’s irresistible in combination with cocoa, so feel free to use it in your hot chocolate or a favorite mocha latte.
E3Live and spirulina
E3Live may sound elaborate, but it’s pretty simple to understand. It’s a blue-green and organic alga mostly used as an ingredient for salad dressings and smoothies or taken as supplements. It’s full of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, so it considerably contributes to the well-functioning of the immune system if consumed correctly. E3Live is preferred in fighting against flu or disease, but you can use it in everyday recipes. Spirulina is also a mermaid-like alga, probably more famous than E3Live, and rich in protein, copper, iron, and B vitamins. These algae are behind the blue food trend, so if you’ve ever stopped scrolling to admire that blue yogurt bowl or Unicorn latte, learn that you can prepare them, too.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a type of mushroom consumed by humans since ancient times. It’s specially recognized for the health and vitality it provides and also for its one-of-a-kind taste. Some of the most significant conditions Cordyceps can address include respiratory disorders, anemia, ringing in the ears, high cholesterol, kidney disorders, and coughs. It’s also famous for treating male sexual problems, but there’s no concrete proof of that. You can include it in your smoothies or lattes to improve exercise performance, reduce inflammation, and encourage heart health.
Cannabis
Apart from providing marijuana, the hemp plant, also called cannabis, produces highly nutritious seeds that are not only deliciously nutty but also incredibly beneficial to your health. Also, they can be consumed raw or whole-roasted, which makes them pretty versatile and easy to incorporate into different recipes. However, some people find the shells unsavory and hard to digest. One thing is for sure – cannabis seeds like those from Seedsman come with a bounty of potential health benefits, including increased and sustained energy, reduced inflammation, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, and quick recovery from disease.
Cooking with cannabis is no longer that uncommon, as recipes such as cannabutter, cannamilk, cannabis sugar, smoothies, chocolate chip cookies, and granola bars have taken Internet searches by storm. So, if you’re curious to try some of these delicacies, don’t hesitate. Now, you can find quality cannabis seeds that give you a chance to prepare tasty marijuana recipes and also grow your own cannabis.
Kudzu
Kudzu is a root native to Japan commonly used in Chinese medicine, but it has surged in popularity lately as increasingly more people consider it in their smoothie recipes. That’s because it’s rich in antioxidants and efficient in treating conditions like migraines, fever, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and circulatory problems. The giant root, which can reach the size of a human, makes an excellent thickener, and that’s why it’s a go-to in smoothies, puddings, or other types of creams. Once you discover how delicious it is, you’ll start using it daily!
Maca
Maca, also called Lepidium meyenii or Peruvian Ginseng, is a cruciferous root vegetable considered a superfood due to its numerous medicinal properties. The demand for maca products, especially maca powder, has grown considerably lately for a good reason. Apart from tasting unexpectedly deliciously, it can treat various conditions, including rheumatic disease and respiratory problems. Maca powder has become a powerful cocktail flavor and caffeine-free energy booster, so if you’re looking to enhance your energy without compromising on that coffee intake, maca might be the right thing for you.
Goji
Goji comes from the berry family, like blueberries, strawberries, and Acai berries. They have been consumed for generations as a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids. Also called wolfberries, goji berries have an impressive, nutritious profile, containing significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, selenium, and copper. Moreover, these vibrantly red-colored fruits are rich in fiber, which makes them an ideal addition to smoothies or cereal bowls that are likely to keep you full longer. Goji is quite versatile, as you can consume it as such, dried or in powdered form, depending on your needs and preferences.
The tangy fruits are considered a superfood, as they imply a host of health benefits, among which the most prominent is that they combat the harmful molecules known as free radicals. And if you don’t know how to incorporate them into your diet, check the dozens of recipes available on the Internet. Goji berry ginger tea, smoothie, granola bars, black goji berry latte, and goji berry sparkling lemonade are just some of the most appreciated.
The above-mentioned ingredients are superfoods, but you don’t have to try them all. Instead, look for the ones that speak to you the most.