You don’t need imported expensive foods to stay healthy. Here is a list of 5 awesome local foods that are so great that they are often called Superfoods by experts.

These superfoods are packed with nutrients and natural goodness that will do miracles for your body. Eating fresh and eating local are the two major keys to eating healthy and making the best of these Superfoods. The foods listed below are local and seasonal and you can easily buy from your local grocery store or grow them yourself in your spring garden.

5 Superfoods for the spring

Superfoods don’t have to be expensive or exotic. Many can be simple fruits and vegetables grown on your local farm, in your community, or even in your own home.  Below is a list of simple foods that have an amazing effect on our health.

1. Fruits

Fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that your body needs to fight diseases naturally. Below is a list of 5 super fruits.

  • avocado-356122_1280Avocados: They are rich in vitamin K, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It’s also a good source of fiber, potassium, and protein. Avocado also has a good amount of “good fat” which actually reduces bad cholesterol in your blood.
  • Figs: Figs are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. They are also a good source of vitamin A, niacin, folate, potassium, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • Pineapples:  Pineapples are an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich fruit with 105% DV of vitamin C, and 77% manganese in it. They also have a wide range of other vitamins and minerals such as copper, vitamin B, thiamin, fiber, folate, and pantothenic acid. (Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods | Pineapple )
  • Pears: Pears are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and potential anti-cancer properties.  

“Pears contain at least three to four times as many phenolic phytonutrients as the flesh. These phytonutrients include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory flavonoids, and potentially anti-cancer phytonutrients like cinnamic acids.” – The World’s Healthiest Foods | Pears

2. Berries

Berries are full of antioxidants. No matter what type of berry you choose, you will find a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C in it. Every type of berry has its own unique nutritional values and benefits.

Here are 4 types of berries and their unique benefits:

  • Raspberries: Raspberries are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which help your heart health. Researches have also found that raspberries may prevent certain types of cancer. One serving of raspberry contains 44% DV of Vitamin C. (Learn About Raspberry Nutritional Values -Driscoll’s®)

3. Fresh Herbs

Spring is the best time for growing and consuming your own fresh herbs because a spring garden really springs. You will find a variety of fresh herbs at your local grocery store or farmer’s market as well. Almost all herbs are high in vitamin C. Below is a list of herbs you could grow yourself or get from your local farmers.

  • herbs-167725_1280Spinach: Spinach is a good source of a wide range of vitamins including vitamin K, A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, minerals like manganese, folate, magnesium, iron copper, calcium, potassium, fiber, and some quantity of zinc, choline pantothenic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Basil: Basil has antioxidants, vitamins A, K, and C, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron. Basil is anti-inflammatory, and it’s thought to be an effective weapon against aging.

4. Green Vegetables

When you are eating for health, including some of the fresh, green vegetables in your daily diet.

“The green foods represented those foods rich in isothiocyanates, which induce enzymes in the liver that assist the body in removing potentially carcinogenic compounds,” –  Bowerman (todaysdietitian.com)

  • Kale: Kale is a great source of vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium. It helps reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart diseases.
  • Asparagus: Asparagus is very rich in dietary fiber. It also contains high levels of vitamin B6, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Asparagus can help reduce diabetes.
  • Broccoli: Broccoli has high levels of fiber along with vitamin C, A, iron, vitamin K, B-complex vitamins, zinc, phosphorus, and phytonutrients. Broccoli can help prevent osteoarthritis, help protect from harmful UV rays, and reduce the risks of cancer. (Source: What are the health benefits of broccoli?)

5. Colored vegetables

Make sure you eat a wide spectrum of colors while eating your veggies. Make your food colorful with red yellow, green and orange-colored vegetables. The more colors you have, the more varieties of phytonutrients you could get from your food. Below are two great vegetables that also look great.

  • beetroot-687251_1280Beet: Beets, including their green leaves, are full of potent antioxidants. With their sweet flavor and attractive color, beets could easily become a kid’s favorite. They are loaded with compounds like folate, betaine, and betacyanin, along with potassium, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants like lutein. Juice from beetroot has also been found to help improve stamina and endurance in athletes. (Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods: Beet)
  • Turnip: Turnips and turnip greens are good sources of vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, K, C, folate, copper, manganese, calcium, and fiber, and antioxidants like xanthin, and lutein. The phytonutrients called indoles found in a turnip to make it super cancer-fighting food.

Remember to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables this spring. Make it fresh and make it local. The healthiest food you could get is possibly growing in your own kitchen garden. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. Enjoy these seasonal foods described here, and see how your health improves.

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Source: Nourish the Planet

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