There is a good, better, and a best way of doing anything in life, and when it comes to the best way to consume your superfoods, there is no exception. However, before we get into that, it might be best to take a moment to acknowledge where we are and how far we have come on our path to wellness. If you have been making an effort to incorporate superfoods into your diet, then go right ahead and pat yourself on the back for being such an adventurous advocate for your health. If you haven’t explored superfoods yet, and are beginning to wonder if I am talking about Superman’s diet, then not to worry; you will learn a few crucial superfood hacks that some people take years to learn. In this article we are going to explore the best preparation methods for my three favorite superfoods, taking into consideration both their traditional preparations and current science on achieving maximum absorption of what makes them “super”.
Goji, and Chia, and Maca, Oh My!
Superfoods have become super popular in recent history but there is nothing new about these nutrient dense foods. Most so called superfoods have been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years, which means humans have prepared them as food in particular ways long before they started popping up at your neighborhood Whole Foods in pretty packaging. Take the Goji Berry for example. An eight ounce bag of dried Goji will generally run you about $18 at your local healthfood store and yes, they do make a great addition to any trail mix but maybe we can learn a thing or two about how to best consume Goji based on its traditional preparation and what science has shown.
Goji, also known as Wolfberry, is classified as one of the top tonic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years in China. Now, all over the world, dried Goji is being consumed as both a popular and tasty snack, as well as used as a healing supplement. In China, drinking Goji tea is the preferred method, with the dried berries traditionally prepared as a decoction, either alone or with herbal allies. A decoction is essentially a tea, but rather than simply steeping the Goji berries in hot water, we first want to mash them up using a mortar and pestle and then boil the ensuing sticky paste to ensure that we extract all of the good nutrients out into the water.
What Makes a Food "Super"?
Here is where the science comes in; one of the reasons Goji is so super is that it has a special type of molecule known as polysaccharides. These polysaccharides have been shown to strengthen the immune system in a unique way, fight free radicals, and may even have anti-tumor properties. Boiling Gojis in water, like the Chinese have been doing for centuries boosts the yield of polysaccharides because they are water-soluble nutrients that need high temperatures to draw all the good stuff out of them. However, Goji doesn’t only have water-soluble nutrients, it’s also full of a host of other phytonutriants such as zeaxanthin (say that 5x fast!) and oil-soluble vitamins, like vitamin A. What that means is that Goji tea is only giving us some of the good stuff found in the berries, but not all. Enter Goji Milk Tea. Goji Milk can be made with actual dairy or with non-dairy alternatives like coconut, hemp, or almond milk; according to your preference. What matters is that it contains lipids (fats) to pull out the oil soluble nutrients, ensuring that we get the most out of this incredible super berry.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!
From Chia pets to Chia pudding, the Chia seed has come a long way. These little seeds are a great source
Maca
Maca powder has been on the superfood scene for a while, most often used for its adaptogenic (stress
Want to know how to eat other superfoods to get the most out of them? First, look at how they are traditionally prepared, what cultures ate them and how. Next, take into account any scientific research that shows how to maximize bioavailability of the nutrients you want out of the food. Another important point to keep in mind is not all superfoods are made equal. Look for organic and biodynamic farms for highest quality, as well as companies who support native farmers and are Green in their practices.