5+1 STEPS YOU CAN TURN EVERY MEAL INTO A SUPER-MEAL

I will never forget the day I went for lunch break in a famous souvlaki place in Athens to order -after a self-control session- one chick pea salad with quinoa and avocado! The superfoods orgasm in the dish of the traditional souvlaki restaurant was more than a surprise to me. Since then, I am happy to see again and again that the superfoods trend has become part of many people’s life, and that quinoa, chia, noni and sea buckthorn are no longer strange words. Research after research clearly demonstrate the super-powers of these natural foods. Probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, omega fatty acids and fiber are the super-menu delivered, to give you great health, detoxification, improved mood, sexuality and high energy levels. What I realized though when I started reading about nutrition and health, is the fact that all natural (unprocessed) and fresh foods are superfoods, and each one of them has something of nutritional value to give to our body, if we, in the first place, keep some basic rules. I say that because, what’s the point in buying the best godgi berries if you put them a cake filled with dairy and sugar? Or if you find the best organic chicken to fry it all the way? Following the next six tips, you will ensure not to fall back on such misdeeds!

• BACK TO BASICS

Basic nutrition means water and salt. You should make sure the water you drink is free of chlorine, so choose a natural mineral water. If you insist on drinking tap water, buy a water filter or leave the water in a jug half an hour before you drink it (so the chlorine evaporates). Salt is also a huge health factor in our food. You should already know the difference between natural sea salt and processed salt. The fisrt one contains all the minerals and trace elements that the water in our body has, doing only good for you. The second one, contains by 97% sodium chloride, which is the reason for its relation to high blood pressure and other diseases. So if you consistently choose sea salt for your meals, it is like placing a dietary supplement of balanced minerals in every meal.

• SPRINKLE IT

Apart from salt, there are also spices! Many of them are provn to be superfoods such as cinnamon, turmeric, saffron, ginger and more. So when you add them to your daily food, it will not only gain excess flavor but also nutritional value. Make your market research to find what best suits your taste and needs or deficiencies of your organization.

• DO NOT OBSESS

Anything you eat in huge quantities, even if it is the best food in the world, it will not do you any good. Superfoods and generally all foods work best in a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient sources. One will provide the protein, other will input the minerals and some other the energy for the proper functioning of your body. No food is a complete meal. In simpler words, do not stick to any particular food and avoid food obsessions.A wide variety in your diet plan will ensure you are forever healthy.

• ORGANIC= NUTRITIONAL =SUPER FOODS

A super-food shall not be sprayed with pesticides or exposed to antibiotics or hormones, which in the end up wind up in your body. Also a superfoods could never be a GMO. These leave you with the following option: organic food or even better organic farmer’s market. Enter here to see where your nearest LAIKI is and what day is carried out, and make a habit out of it.

• DO IT THE GREEK WAY

There is a theory that we should eat food from our land, in order to keep the dietary recommendations with our own nutritional needs arising from lifestyle, age, gender and the environment where we live and the climate . This reminds me a bit of Mr.Mitsotakis, who eats only vegetables from his village in Crete and has hopefully reached age 96! A recently written a book by Constantine Ksenos and Asteria Stamataki entitled “Meet the Greek Superfoods”, also intoduces as to some greek superfoods such as currants from Korinthos, capers, mastic from Chios island, the pomegranate, the saffron and the Greek almonds.

• FRESH OR STEAMED!

Sometimes I laugh or get confused, when I read online recipes integrated into articles on healthy eating, that include the words pan, sauté or microwave. I wonder with the apparent ignorance of the fact that when the food is cooked, excessive heat destroys enzymes and alter it to a level where digestion cannot be done properly by the body, causing health problems. The answer to this is either slow boiling, steaming or -even better- eating  raw food. As tempting though it is French fries, you should know that the real superfoods are eaten fresh and raw.

Kakia Kaffa (kakia@arnica.gr)