Superfoods

Superfoods are foods that are brimming with nutrients and which often help to fight disease. Including at least some of these foods in your diet will help to protect your health.

Some of the best superfoods are native to the Australian bush and have been growing here for more than 50,000 years. These include the Kakadu plum, which has the highest level of natural vitamin C of any plant in the world. Quandongs contain approximately six times the amount of vitamin C found in an orange. Lemon myrtle is a powerful antiseptic and anti-viral agent, which is useful in fighting colds and sore throats, infections and gastric problems. Wattleseed is amazingly high in protein and contains, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.

Other great foods include berries such as blueberries and raspberries, which are full of antioxidants. Eggs are a high-quality source of protein and contain antioxidants, which help eye health. Nuts are tasty and great for heart health because they contain magnesium and healthy polyunsaturated fats. Sweet potatoes get their orange colour because they are packed with alpha and beta-carotene which the body can convert into vitamin A, helping to protect your immune system, your eyes and your bones. Even the humble cup of tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids and which could reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s and some cancers.

Key things to be aware of when choosing a snack bar are the salt, fat and sugar content, and the number of calories. Ideally, a snack should contain between 100 to 150 calories or at the very most 200 calories. It’s also worth thinking about whether you will have anything in addition to your snack bar, to make sure you eat the proper portion size. Also, pay attention to the fibre content and as a rule look for something that has more than 3g per serving. To improve satiety, choose snack bars that are higher in protein. Alternatively, choose another snack such as eggs or bananas, or fresh fruits and veggies with hummus.