By Jay Truth | The Healers Journal
—
Superfoods are all the latest rage in the health and natural foods industry and with good reason — they are incredibly nutrient dense foods that can help us live healthier, happier and longer lives. Who doesn’t want that? However, there are two downsides to must superfood products on the market today. The first is that they are typically quite expensive. The second is that they often taste ‘interesting’ to put it lightly. Although I love Spirulina and Chlorella, I would never eat them by themselves — normally I them mix into a smoothie or juice in order to make them more palatable.
Little Known Superfoods
But what if I told you that there are quite a few superfoods out there that totally buck the trend of being expensive and unpalatable? What if I told you that they were so common that you can find them at nearly any supermarket and, not only that, but that you could get nearly a months supply for $5 or less? And they taste good enough to eat as a meal? Well, as I am about to reveal to you, these foods do indeed exist and if you want incredible health and nutrition for just a few bucks a week, then listen up because i’m about to let you in on a little superfood secret…
1. Amaranth
- High in Complete Protein – 13-14% by weight
- Loaded with Minerals – Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphourous, Maganese, Selenium, and Zinc
- High in Vitamin B6 and Folate
- Quick Cooking, Tasty
- Gluten-Free
Amaranth is a traditional food used throughout Central and South America, primarily by the Aztecs. When the Spanish conquistadors invaded, they remarked at how strong, agile and healthy the natives were. Eventually they realized they were all consuming large amounts of Amaranth and subsequently banned them from using it. Today, however, the grain is becoming increasingly popular and is finally being recognized for its incredible nutritional profile.
Amaranth is incredibly cheap. A 1 lb. bag of Organic Amaranth is just $4.40 at iHerb.com: Organic Amaranth iHerb
You can also find it for a similar price in the bulk bins at your local health food store.
2. Rice Bran
- One of the Most Nutritionally Complete Foods on the Planet
- Incredible Source of B-Vitamins and Vitamin E
- Loaded With Minerals: Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Potassium
- Extremely Good Source of Antioxidants
- Great Source of Fiber
- Tastes Amazing
- Gluten Free
Rice bran is the byproduct of the milling process used to make white rice. To make white rice (aka polished rice), the outer layer of the rice grain known as the bran is mechanically separated so that only the endosperm (the inside kernel of rice grain, which is white) is left. The bran is what contains the vast majority of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in rice (this explains why white rice is essentially empty calories). Rice bran is literally just the concentrated vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from brown rice. It tastes great! You could literally eat it straight out of the bag (I do!).
Rice Bran is incredibly cheap. A 1.25 lb. bag of Rice Bran is just $4.40 at iHerb.com: Rice Bran at iHerb
You can also usually find it for a similar price in the bulk bins at your local health food store.
3. Pumpkin Seeds
- Incredible Source of Complete Protein
- Anti-Parasitic
- Loaded With Minerals: Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Potassium
- High in Essential Fatty Acids
- Great Source of Antioxidants
- Taste Great
Yes, pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are taken for granted as just another tasty seed usually eaten around Halloween but ignored during the rest of the year. Not nearly as popular as sunflower or even hemp seeds for that matter, these delicious, highly nutritious green seeds pack a serious list of essential nutrients. Try them toasted for easier digestion and improved taste.
Pumpkin Seeds are incredibly cheap. A 1 lb. bag of Organic Pumpkin Seeds is just $6.37* at iHerb.com: Organic Pumpkin Seeds
* This is the best price I could find for quality pumpkin seeds online, but you can definitely get them for less than $5 in the bulk bins at your local health food store.
