Superfood is a term that has been growing in popularity in the last two years. This word is used a lot by companies who promote their health products. But are these foodstuffs really superb?
Basically, it is a non-medical term, and is loosely defined as food that is rich in nutrients. It is very beneficial for one’s health, and affects our physicality and mentality. They mostly come from plant foods that are rich in antioxidants that protect us from diseases and cancer-forming free radicals.
The media had to invent this word to differentiate real food versus processed or altered food that may contain harmful chemicals and genetically-modified organisms.
What I like about this term is that even if it is being used as a marketing ploy, those being referred to are legit. It really encircles what real food is, and keeps us aware that those are what we should be eating, and not being stuck with processed junk and fast food.
A lot of people think that to “eat healthy” means that it’s expensive.
If you Google “superfood”, you may get to a list that promotes nuts like almonds, walnuts or pecans, chia and flax seeds, and exotic berries like Acai and Goji, and the list goes on.
Generally, food that isn’t local will definitely be more expensive. That is why it is important to support your own. There are actually a whole bunch of really powerful “superfoods” that are affordable and available here in Negros.
Hot chocolate and raw cacao beans in the tiangge are my favorite.
Theobroma cacao is the scientific name of the cacao tree that translates to “cacao, the food of the gods” in Greek.
Man has used cacao for a thousands of years. Early civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs highly valued cacao in their cultures due to the vitality that comes from consuming it.
A raw cacao bean consists of both macronutrients and micronutrients from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, to antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements. That being said, we can probably survive for thousands of years with just puto maya and sikwate. Kan-on ug sud-an.
Next is the oozing power of raw honey. I usually buy honey from the PAO Tabo on Saturdays. About two honey vendors stand right outside the market gates with their pails filled with raw wild honey from Siquijor or Gihulngan. They’re mixed together with the honeycomb and even a few dead bees.
I don’t mind unstrained honey especially when it costs just a third of the price compared to buying from a supermarket.
How do you differentiate raw honey from processed honey? Raw honey is quite cloudy compared to ultra heat-treated (UHT) honey that is clear when seen through light.
Any food that undergoes cooking or heat processes above 118 degrees Fahrenheit will affect its nutritional value, and will lose its original nutrient density.
Healing properties of raw honey comes from protective microbes and other beneficial enzymes and pollen that are killed or changed due to the pasteurization process.
Raw honey can protect against allergies, colds and sore throat. It can greatly boost our energy, and improve the immune system when mixed with cinnamon, and taken regularly.
Aside from the benefits from ingesting, it can also be used efficiently as a topical for the skin to heal cuts, wounds, rashes, and burns, and herewith, honey is as super as food can be.
I went to Dauin last week, and passed by the market to buy fresh grilled Gindara fish. I was surprised at how good it tasted, and how cheap it was being sold. The fatty taste and the tenderness of the meat reminds me of the Japanese word umami, meaning pleasant savory taste.
The next day I woke up having fish oil farts. It’s not very convenient but definitely a sign that you’re eating good quality food.
Oily fish is also considered to be a superfood because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content. These are the good fats, and what we need to look and feel better.
Omega-3 makes our blood less sticky, stimulating better blood flow, and prevents it from clotting.
These fatty acids can help prevent coronary heart diseases, promote good joint health, and give a great enhancement with cognition.
What else do we need? Food that is cheap, complete, healthy, and most importantly, that which satisfies our taste buds.
_________________________________________
Author’s email: [email protected]
