10 Best Superfoods To Add To Your Diet
As an aspiring or current professional cheerleader, you are responsible for keeping your body in great shape. Working out isn’t the only thing you can do to keep yourself fit and healthy. You need to eat the right foods – whole and organic. Superfoods refer to foods that are unprocessed and nutrient-dense. The nutrients found in superfoods work synergistically to provide you with ample energy, keep you in a positive mood, boost your immunity, improve your looks, and support a healthy weight loss.
#1 Salmon and other fatty fish
According to the American Heart Association, you need to eat fish at least twice a week. Studies show that salmon and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that lower your triglyceride levels and slow down the process of atherosclerosis. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet supports your weight loss plan.
#2 Blueberries
Blueberries are jam-packed with fiber and antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body, balance your blood sugar levels, improve your cognitive function, and keep you looking younger. Blueberries are very versatile - you can enjoy them in several ways. You can even freeze them without doing any damage to their antioxidants. Eat them raw or add them to your smoothie and yogurt.
#3 Avocados
Popularly known as butter fruit, avocados are low in carbohydrates, high in healthy fats, and are cholesterol-free and sodium-free. If you need a healthy dose of potassium to ease your stress and anxiety as well as provide you muscle strength for your pro cheer training, choose avocados. They contain more potassium than bananas.
#4 Kiwis
Kiwis are among the most nutritionally dense fruits in the world. You can eat 2 kiwis for only 93 calories. Kiwis provide a high dose of vitamin C (higher than oranges) to strengthen your hair and build collagen for your skin. Other essential vitamins include A, E, K, and B. You can add kiwis to any healthy snack like Greek yogurt or green/fruit salad.
#5 Carrots
Carrots are rarely mentioned as a superfood. Ideally, you should be including carrots in your daily diet. Aim for a half cup of serving which is equivalent to 6 baby carrots. Carrots provide vitamin A for your eyesight, protect your skin from sun damage, flush out toxins from your body, and prevent the onset of diseases like cancer, asthma, and flu.
#6 Green Tea
As a calorie-free superfood, green tea is rich in catechins – an antioxidant that kills cancer cells and induces a thermogenic effect in your body to speed up your metabolism, leading to healthy weight loss. To optimize nutrient intake, drink it two hours before or after a meal. Remember to limit your green tea consumption to 2-3 cups daily.
#7 Pomegranates
Pomegranates aren’t only delicious – they contain potent anti-inflammatory properties that reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Researchers have also discovered that natural vasoactive substances found in pomegranates improve the circulation of your blood throughout your muscles to maximize your daily workouts. Make a refreshing juice out of pomegranates for a healthy snack.
#8 Spinach
One of the world’s healthiest foods, spinach is an excellent source of dietary fiber. You need dietary fiber to promote good digestion and reduce inflammation throughout your body. As you already know, inflammation triggers conditions like acne, obesity, aging, and cardiovascular problems. To avoid diminishing spinach’s health benefits, avoid freezing it. Eat it right after you buy it from the supermarket.
#9 Soy
Soy is low in saturated fat and contains 9 essential amino acids - histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. The health benefits of these essential amino acids include an enhanced physical performance, increase in stamina, better mood, and collagen production for healthy skin and bones. A great source of non-animal protein, it’s the perfect choice for vegans.
#10 Tomatoes
Tomatoes are so versatile, you can add them to any dish or eat them raw. A high intake of tomatoes is associated with lower weight and increase in energy levels. Since tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants, you'll enjoy more youthful skin, shinier hair, improved cognition, a reduced risk for getting cancer, and better heart health.
Final Thoughts
Start eating your way to a healthy pro cheerleader body. These foods do not only help fight disease, they also make you feel energetic, lose weight healthily, and boost your natural beauty.
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