Healthy eating is key to long-term wellness. It helps you maintain a healthy weight and lowers your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. But even a balanced diet can benefit from the addition of superfoods — nutrient-packed ingredients that add extra flavor, color, and nutrition to your meals.
This Thanksgiving, try giving your favorite holiday recipes a superfood twist! Mix antioxidant-rich cranberries into your stuffing, swap regular mashed potatoes for sweet potato mash, or toss kale or spinach into your salad for a vibrant boost.
Superfoods not only make your dishes more delicious but also help support your immune system — something we can all be thankful for during cold and flu season. Here are some of the top superfoods to enjoy this holiday season and beyond.
Dark Greens:
- Dark greens like kale, spinach, collard greens, or Swiss chard are a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and calcium. They can also be a great source of fiber. Swap out your typical salad base; add some sautéed spinach to your soups and pastas or even throw some kale in the oven and make kale chips. You could even add some to your morning shake. A versatile superfood!
Turmeric:
- Golden yellow turmeric is a powerful superfood known for its natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. This vibrant spice may help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, promote heart health, improve mood, and support your immune system — especially during cold and flu season. Add turmeric to your favorite turkey noodle soup, Collagen Bone Broth, or curry dish for a nutritious boost. Or try products like Cleanse for Life® and AMPED™ Repair for an easy way to add turmeric phytonutrients into your daily wellness routine.
Olive Oil:
- Replacing the butter in your frying pan with olive oil can add more Vitamin E, good fatty acids, and polyphenols — reducing your risk of heart disease. Use it to dress your salads or dip your bread. Pair it with apple cider vinegar for even more health benefits. Try this salad with a fast, easy dressing for your Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, pressed or minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
Combine: Whisk or shake all ingredients in a small bowl or jar until well mixed.
Serve: Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir or shake again before serving.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms:
- Mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D and antioxidants. Sauté them alongside some dark greens, or try a mushroom-based snack like Protein Crackers, which are infused with the adaptogens from lion’s mane mushrooms and packed with fiber and protein. Use Protein Crackers on your next charcuterie board paired with lean proteins, low-fat cheeses, nuts, and colorful vegetables.
Nuts
- From almonds to walnuts to pecans, nuts are nutrient-dense superfoods providing protein, fiber, fatty acids, and key vitamins. A handful as a snack or sprinkled throughout a salad can aid in weight management and sustaining a daily diet rich in nutrients. At your next holiday party, try setting out a bowl of mixed nuts — such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios — for a wholesome snack that feels indulgent but supports heart health and overall wellness.
Moringa:
- Moringa is a tree with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, often referred to as the “miracle tree.” Moringa contains a variety of vitamins, as well as calcium, iron, and magnesium, while remaining low in fat, which makes it a fantastic superfood for your diet and even for your mood.
Moringa can be harder to source on its own, so finding products like the Daily Moringa Pack, which contains energy-boosting moringa-based drink powders like SuperMixTM, XM+®, and SmartMix®, can be a great way to incorporate this superfood into your routine.
Adding superfoods to your regular meals, from breakfast smoothies to evening snacks, is an easy way to enhance your diet with more color, nutrients, and antioxidants. As you plan your Thanksgiving and holiday meals, try sneaking in a few of these nutrient-rich foods for added flavor and wellness benefits.
Supporting a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated — even adding superfoods a few times a week can help fill common nutrient gaps. Greens™ makes it simple to get your daily dose of leafy greens and moringa in one convenient product. Whether you blend it into your morning shake or enjoy it alongside your holiday turkey and grains, superfoods can make every meal more nourishing.
