Usually, when we think “healthy,”  we don’t think “tasty.”

But that is a total misconception because these superfood I am about to introduce to you are both healthy and tasty!

Who doesn’t want to eat something that promises both beauty AND taste?

Here are A-Z superfood you definitely want to incorporate in your daily diet! 

Asparagus, the “anti cancer” food

• Helps to protect and repair skin
  • Tip: wash your face with water of boiled asparagus to get rid of blemishes!
• Can lower the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and overall mortality
• Helps to prevent constipation & helps with digestion

* Add to omelet or scramble |  Sauté with extra virgin olive oil and minced garlic, then season with black pepper and Parmesan cheese | Add to salad, chopped

* Also try: Avocados, Apples, and Artichokes

Broccoli, the best sunscreen

• Aids in collagen production, protects skin cell membranes, and guards against UV radiation damage
• Strengthens hair follicles & promotes hair growth
• Can help relieve puffiness and dark circles

* Also try: Beets, Brussels sprouts, and Bell Peppers

Cabbage (esp. purple or red), the Vitamin C donor

• Rich in vitamin A, C and E, which means more collagen, which means healthier skin (wrinkle prevention), hair (left shinier and silkier), and nails (no more brittle nails)!
  • A purple cabbage has 6 to 8x more vitamin C than green cabbage and 11% more vitamin C than oranges
  • One cup of purple cabbage is 80% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C!

* Also try: Carrots, Cauliflowers, and Cucumbers

Dates, excellent source of potassium

• The vitamin A in dates help improve vision
• Help protect from oral cavity, lung and pancreatic cancers
• Strengthen bones
• Help to regulate heart rate and blood pressure

* Also try: Dill & Dandelion roots

Eggplants, the potent free radical scavenger

• Promote a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight
• Help eliminate cholesterol
• Can decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, and overall mortality

* Sauté (or bread and bake) thick slices of eggplant and add to pasta (+ top with Parmesan cheese) | Use as replacement for pizza crust | Make eggplant water (for weight loss)

*Also try: Edamame

Fennel, the energy booster

• Rich in Vitamin C
  
• High in fiber but low in calories
  

*Add to pasta or salad | Coat in egg and bread crumbs, then fry to a crisp golden-brown (it will look like waffle fries!)

* Also try: Flaxseeds

Grapefruit, the powerful cleanser

• Contains Vitamin C, which helps to repair skin and reduce the look of cellulite
• One of the most hydrating fruits in the world (made up of 91% water), just below watermelon

* Eat in the morning on empty stomach for best results!

* Also try: Guava, Green tea, and Ginger water

Hemp (seeds), the nutritious and nutty booster

• Contain Omega-6, which stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and help the brain function
• Also contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly beneficial to the brain, skin, joints and heart

* Add to cereal, salad, soup, yogurt, bread, and even ice cream | Blend into your favorite smoothies

Inca Berries, the “goji berries” of South America

• Boost our immune system, offer protection from viruses and bacteria, heal wounds, and reduce cholesterol
• The B Vitamins in Inca Berries promote healthy eyesight, growth, appetite and taste
• Also promote healthy growth of skin, nails and hair

* Add to homemade trail mix | Add to raw cakes, biscuits and chocolate

Jalapeño Peppers, the natural decongestant

• Support skin and eye health
• Promote healthy red blood cells, strong bone development and nervous system function
• May provide pain relief for migraine headaches
• Help with nasal decongestion

Kiwi, the repairer

• Promotes healthy & glowing skin
• Prevents sun damage
• Fights hair loss & maintains hair health
• May help prevent the development of diseases caused by oxidative stress such as heart failure, cancer, and Parkinson’s

*Add to oatmeal | Serve with ice cream, yogurt, or custard

* Also try: Kale & Kelp (type of seaweed)

Lemon, the strengthening agent

• Aids with digestion
• Helps to clear up acne, fight wrinkles and rejuvenate skin from within
• Helps to bring a radiant glow to complexion

* Sip warm lemon water in the morning (add honey for flavor) | Use as a seasoning for seafood and salad

* Also try: Lentils, Lemongrass (in tea), and Legumes

Mangoes, the “King of Fruit”

• Help unclog pores (when applied to face)
• Help promote good eye sight and fight dry eyes
  • One cup of sliced mangoes = 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A!
• Strengthen your immune system
• Great natural solution for people suffering from anemia

Nuts, the crunchy power foods

• Almonds help lower blood pressure and body fat and reduce swelling and inflammation
• Walnuts can boost your mood and help you de-stress
• Pecans help eliminate toxins and waste

Oatmeal, the breakfast champion

• Boosts energy and heart health
• Helps to relieve itch and irritation
• Lowers risk of colon cancer and diabetes

Pomegranate, a woman’s best friend

• Help to slow skin aging
• May reduce the risk of heart disease, allergies, cancer, and diabetes

* Add to salad or cereal | Eat it frozen!

* Also try: Pineapples, Peaches, and Pumpkins (or pumpkin seeds)

Quinoa, the amino acid donor

• • Naturally gluten-free
  • Rejuvenates skin from within & reduces brown spots and pigmentation
  • Protects hair follicles and treats dandruff

* Try the Quinoa apple pie!

Radish, the natural cleansing agent

• Helps soothe sore throats and clear the sinuses
• Aids digestion by eliminating stagnant food and toxins
• Can help relieve bloating and indigestion

* Try Roasted Red Radishes!

Seaweeds, the Vitamin K-ing

• Contain the broadest range of minerals found in any food (10 to 20x more minerals than in vegetables)
• Purify blood & offer protection from environmental toxins including heavy metals, pollutants and radiation by-products

* Add chopped dulse to salads, sandwiches, rice or quinoa bowls | Add wakame to miso soups | Try seaweed masks!

* Also try: Spinach, Sesame seeds, and Salmon

Tomatoes, the secret to baby skin

• Help counter discoloration of skin, treat acne, shrink open pores and regulate secretion of sebum in oily skin
• Add shine to dull and damaged hair
• Delay aging and wrinkling
• Help relieve stress
• Help control asthma

* Drink in the morning, instead of coffee | Apply tomato juice to hair and scalp instead of conditioner to get rid of dandruff

* Also try: Turmeric (spice) & Tea

Ugli Fruit (Tangelo), the prettifier

• One fruit contains about 140% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C
• Contains 0 grams of fat and no cholesterol!
• Promotes good oral health (yay Vitamin B!)

* Blend into a smoothie | Add to fruit salad

Veggies– duh!

Watercress, the face lifter

• Helps to cleanse and oxygenate tissues for better blood flow (circulation)
• Soothes and cools the skin
• Prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth
• Strengthens immune system, bones, and teeth

*Also try: Walnuts, Wheatgrass, and Wild Salmon

Xigua (=Watermelon), the natural toner

• Hydrates your body, resulting in radiant skin
• Improves circulation
• May help prevent breast, lung, prostate, endometrium, and colon cancers, as well as heart disease

Yam, the energy sustainers

•  Heals skin diseases and cures respiratory problems
• Supports female endocrine system
• Aids digestion and improves blood flow
• Promotes hair growth and hydrates scalp
• Prevents premature hair greying

Zucchini, the summer squash

• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
• Help remove the swelling around eye area (say bye to puffy eyes!)

* Add 1 cup of grated raw zucchini into the batter when baking | Add to salad, raw | Stir fry, saute or make zucchini chips

Now that you’ve read about the health and beauty benefits of these superfoods, which one will you try first?