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What is an Organic Superfood?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Organic superfood is a kind of highly nutritious food that is grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Many people have heard of "super fruits," which are rich in nutrients and are hailed for their levels of antioxidants. Some superfoods, like super fruits, are high in antioxidants. Others are simply hailed for the fact that they are rich sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. In addition to the commonly marketed superfruits, oranges and tomatoes — which are technically fruits although they are usually grouped in with vegetables — on the list of superfoods.
The list of super fruits include pomegranates, blueberries, cranberries, and goji berries. These fruits can also be grown and harvested in an organic matter, making them part of the group of organic superfood. Vegetables and legumes that top the organic superfood list include beans, broccoli, pumpkin, and spinach. Nuts such as walnuts and almonds are often listed on organic superfood lists as well. Grains that often make it on to organic superfood rosters include oats, brown rice, and quinoa.
In addition to beans, there are a number of organic superfood protein options. Soy-based products are often considered to be superfoods. When it comes to products that come from animals, salmon and turkey are often considered to be top organic superfood protein options. Yogurt is also a superfood that provides a good dose of protein.
Organic superfood can be expensive because organic farming in general is pricier than farming that relies on chemicals and pesticides. This cost can be offset by planting an organic garden at home and growing superfoods. While not everyone is able to cultivate rice or raise salmon, many of the foods that make it to the top of organic superfood lists can easily be grown in many climates. Tomatoes, pumpkins, broccoli, and spinach can all be grown in many regions. The same is true for blueberries.
By growing one's own organic food, grocery bills can be reduced and other organic products, such as almonds and quinoa, which are more difficult to grow, can be purchased with the savings. It should be noted that there is no official or legal meaning behind the word "superfood" and the term is sometimes overused or even abused in marketing campaigns. However, most doctors and nutritionists would agree that most of the foods that are listed as superfoods are very nutritious, healthy foods that are good to incorporate into a balanced diet.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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![Organic quinoa.]()
Organic quinoa. -
![Organic almonds.]()
By: ElenathewiseOrganic almonds. -
![Organic walnuts are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and are often considered a superfood.]()
By: dinostockOrganic walnuts are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and are often considered a superfood. -
![Salmon is considered a super food.]()
By: dulsitaSalmon is considered a super food. -
![Blueberries are super fruits that can be grown without the use of pesticides.]()
By: Brian JacksonBlueberries are super fruits that can be grown without the use of pesticides. -
![Spinach is one vegetable that tops the organic superfood list.]()
By: anjelagrSpinach is one vegetable that tops the organic superfood list. -
![Broccoli is high in many vitamins and minerals and is therefore considered to be a superfood.]()
By: NitrBroccoli is high in many vitamins and minerals and is therefore considered to be a superfood.
Discussion Comments
I eat a lot of beans and I always buy the organic variety when I am buying canned beans. I like the fact that they are organic but that is not my primary motivation.
If you look at the nutrition labels you will notice that organic beans have way less salt that the normal canned kind. I am talking like five or six times less salt. For me reducing the amount of salt in my diet is more important than staying away from pesticides.
With some organic foods I cannot really notice a difference between the organic variety and the regular. But I can definitely notice the differences when I an eating blueberries.
Organic blueberries just taste so much more bright and flavorful. It is almost like eating a whole different fruit. I have gotten to the point where I won't even eat blueberries that are not grown organic. What is the point of eating something you don't like?
For me the king of the super foods is spinach. It is packed with a huge number of vitamins and nutrients and it also has a dynamic flavor that goes great with tons of things.
I recognize the benefits of eating spinach every day so I always have a spinach salad with a little light dressing with my dinner every night. It doesn't matter if we are having tacos, I am also eating spinach salad because I know it is doing wonders for my body.
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