Superfoods: spirulina, maca, lucuma and mesquite

Why not take advantage of the increasingly abundant variety of superfoods that are “vibrant, nutrient dense and have tremendous dietary and healing potential” according to nutrition guru David Wolfe.

The challenge I have is that there are so many with all sorts of health benefits, it can be difficult to sort through the information and figure out which ones would work best for me. You know the feeling too.

So in this post (and for future superfood posts), I clearly list key benefits of a few so that you can easily read and mentally tick off which ones you would like to check out. Let me know if that helps.

Spirulina (vitality and life energy)

It does not look pretty and I’ve heard that it tastes gross in powder form, but Spirulina is probably one of the most healing and nutrient dense foods available.

This algae is so potent that we could survive on it and water alone. Here’s what spirulina can do for you:

• Provide protection from all kinds of cancers and multiple viruses
• Boost you up with major omega fatty acids that help to fight heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, depression
• Help with nerve damage and diseases such as fibromyalgia
• Balance your PH to reduce inflammation, the root of much disease.

Spirulina is easily available in North American health stores and can be purchased online at iHerb.com. Add it to your smoothies or down the capsules with water.

Info source: Spirulina explained
Image credit: Power of Food

Maca (energy and mood)

If you find yourself easily irritable, depressed or with low libido, give yourself a maca mood and energy booster.

Maca is an ancient peruvian tuber that is also good for your immune function and balances your hormones.

You could take maca as a supplement or a powder (iHerb.com) in these three recipes (sweet potato fries, hot chocolate maca, maca chocolate chip banana bread).

Info source: Organic Authority
Image credit: Leanne Ely

Lucuma (sweetener)

Grown in Peru, lucuma is a delicious, sweet superfruit that has a maple-like taste and is used as a low-glycemic sweetener, which means you can have it without experiencing high blood sugar spikes.

It contains many nutrients including beta-carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium and protein.

Beta carotene, which makes up the orange hue of the fruit’s flesh helps to protect you from cancer, and B3 is known to beat depression.

Lucuma is generally used in powder form to create amazing smoothies and desserts. Order it from iHerb.com and try making this raw lucuma ice cream.

Info source and image: Organic Authority

Mesquite (sweetener and source of fibre)

My first taste of mesquite was through this stunning raw mesquite cheese cake made by Tao Organics in North Vancouver.

The sweetener adds a lovely malty flavour to the dessert and generally pairs well with vanilla and chocolate.

The cakes are also available at Eternal Abundance on Commercial Drive.

Mesquite is derived from a tree found in the Americas. It works really well for those looking to balance blood sugar levels.

Mesquite flour is also an excellent source of fiber, which helps to improve digestion and benefits sugar metabolism.

Order it from iHerb.com and use it to make this awesome dairy-free cocoa mocha milkshake.

Feature image credit: Organic Authority