Acai berries, goji berries, macca, spirulina, hemp seeds, chia seeds, the list of 'super foods' grows longer and longer each year. Everything from kale to walnuts, has at some point, been promoted as a super food. Companies have made millions, if not billions, selling the idea that one of these particular foods is going to fix all your problems, or one shake containing a mile long list of 'super foods' will create a slim healthy body. Yet, here we are, a society battling obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer, with a kitchen cabinet full of super foods!
So what is the deal? There is no super food. There I said it! No one food is going to heal all your ailments, no shake is going to reduce your cellulite. Not going to happen! Period. You are falling for marketing. You are being deceived. You are basically being taken for a sucker.
But, I am not writing all these foods off. They are, for the most part, healthy and delicious. You can add these to your diet, enjoy them if you please, but you MUST understand that they are not SUPER. They will not do anything magical, not in a pill form, their natural state, or in a shake. They are healthy, just like lettuce is, or potatoes, or oranges, or oats are! They can add lots of flavor to your diet. They also make eating healthfully more exciting and less bland. Do you need to spend your hard earned money on them to get healthy? Absolutely not!
Just like any other food, these 'super foods' contain valuable nutrients. They definitely serve a purpose. Spirulina and chlorella are great additions to your diet. You can add them to your shakes or juices for an added nutrient boost, but they will not transform your body, lol! This is the problem I have with companies selling these foods. They are always marketed as some sort of magical healer or weight loss potion, and that is false! Companies sell the idea that taking these 'super foods' will help all your weight loss needs without making major dietary changes, and at this point we should all know that is garbage!
The best way to reach your health goals is to eat healthfully, exercise, sleep, and drink water! It is actually easier and cheaper than you think! The healthiest foods on the planet are fruits and veggies! They are ALL equally beneficial and packed with nutrients your body needs. A dinner loaded with green vegetables, sweet potatoes, salad, and a tall glass of lemon water is better than any one super food! Not only is it a third of the cost of these specialty foods, but also easily accessible, which makes staying healthy easier long term! Accessibility and affordability are key here. Spending $40 on a shake you must preorder is not sustainable. Going to your regular grocery store and purchasing foods that are affordable is!
So are super foods a scam? Yes! Well, in the way they have been presented to us, they are! Being promoted as a fix to obesity or cellulite is a scam, being promoted as a great addition to your occasional smoothie is not. Be smart and cautious when you begin spending your money on super foods. Though it is tempting to try them in hopes of getting the dream body you've always wanted, be a realistic and an educated consumer!
