10 Penny Saving Superfoods

5 Jun 2014

Tags: bootcamp sydney, bootcamp melbourne, bootcamp brisbane, health, nutrition,

We’ve all heard of the latest and greatest superfoods to include in our diets that will supercharge our health, improve your skin and amplify your training results. But often they are expensive and can sometimes be ineffective. These 10 common fridge items will boost your immunity, and fill you with vitamins, minerals and energy without burning a hole in your budget. Supercharge your health and fight winter’s flues with these 10 SUPER foods.

Cinnamon- known to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is also known to have natural anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties. Add it to tea, stewed fruit, or to spice up your dinner in a morrocan tagine.

Ginger- aids in a lot of intestinal problems- motion sickness, morning sickness and colic. It also has aids in the relief in Upper Respiratory infections. Make a hot tea with lemon and honey to sooth a sore throat and boost your immune system

Lemon- a great digestive aid and can be linked to reducing inflammation, pain and swelling. It is commonly used to treat vitamin C deficient illness- Scurvy.

Frozen berries- packed full of anti-oxidants and phytochemicals to protect cells from damage, berries are rich in vitamins and have a low glycemic index. Eat them fresh or frozen, added to smoothies, oats or with a handful of nuts as a snack.

Avocado- loaded with Omega- 9’s, B-Vitamins, Vitamin C and E, Potassium (more than twice the amount than bananas, and Folic Acid, as well as fibre and phytosterols- natural anti-inflammatories. Add it to your breakfast plate with some leafy greens and eggs

Broccoli - rich in sulfur that can aid with arthritic joint pain, as well as improving your blood pressure and kidney function. Its compounds can also stimulate a range of antioxidant defense pathways that slow the decline in your immune system with age. It is also high in fibre, potassium, calcium and Lutein that helps prevent thickening of your arteries.

Leafy greens- kale, spinach, silverbeet, swiss chard, cabbage- All high in vitamins A, C and K, folate, potassium and disease fighting phytochemicals. They’re great for your skin, for inflammation and can help stave off depression in the midst of the darkest winter days.

Garlic helps fight the vampires as well as winter’s flues. Garlic really is the SUPER DUPER food for every ailment under the sun from hayfever to diabetes, arthritis to bacterial infections. Garlic helps with asthma, fatigue, diarrhea, high blood pressure as well as maintaining healthy liver function and fighting infection in cold and flu. Add it to all your slow braises, stirfries and any savoury meal.

Eggs- full of folate, Vitamin A, B2, B5, B12, Phosphorus and Selenium as well as Vit D, E, K, B6, Calcium, Omega 3’s and Zinc. They are high in protein and all 9 Amino Acids. They are so nutrient rich you could almost survive on eggs alone! Eat them for breakfast, or snack on frittata throughout the day, a quick omelet is the perfect solution for an easy ‘fast food’ dinner.

Sauerkraut and kimchi- provide a high dose of beneficial live bacteria to aid in intestinal balance. Many modern illnesses and diseases are being strongly associated with gut health. Strong gut permeability helps ensure proper digestion of all the above vitamins, minerals and amino acids. You could be doing all of the rest correct but have an imbalance in your gut flora that can reek havoc with your immunity.