5 Best Superfoods to Promote Peaceful Inner Energy

There is no denying that what we put into our bodies has a significant impact on how we function in our daily lives.

A poor diet (that is, a diet rich in processed foods, sugary foods and foods which were never really meant to go into the human body) can lead not only to physical ailments, but mental ones, too. It is no secret that our physical body and mental wellness are intrinsically linked. The funny thing is that we often don’t realize it until it is pointed out to us.

Peaceful Body, Peaceful Mind

Some years ago, I was your classic junk food enthusiast. The burgers, the crisps, the chocolates, the sandwiches – whatever tasted good, you could bet it landed straight in my belly. I never for one second thought that the reason for my fatigue, irritability, low, volatile moods, bowel problems and generally chaotic mind could have anything to do with something as trivial as food; I was much too arrogant to think that food of all things could have an impact on my behaviour and thought process. After all, I and only I was the master of myself, even though ‘myself’ was not one who I was particularly pleased with. On top of this, I rarely exercised.

Then one day, quite out of the blue, I decided to get into shape and change my diet. I can’t say exactly what it was that triggered it; it seemed that the universe had decided to intervene and do something about my sluggish diet and lack of energy. I began eating more fruits and vegetables; I cut down the processed meats such as sausages, bacon and corned beef; I cut down the chocolates, cakes and other sugary things; I upped my protein and fibre intake; I started eating probiotic foods such as miso and tempeh and I cut out wheat; I cut down on alcohol drastically. I started exercising, not just cardio, but lifting weights also.

Over time, I gradually noticed that not only was I losing weight and getting into better shape, but something extraordinary had happened to my moods. I’d always been a little on the “moody” side (something of an understatement!) but since I changed my diet and began exercising, I found that my moods had become somewhat stabilized. They were still volatile to a degree (diet and exercise are not, of course, the only factors involved when it comes to mood swings) but they were at the very least under far better control than before. This was especially welcome during winter time when my moods would hit an all-time low. Not cured, not completely free of them – but bearable, certainly. Furthermore, my bowel problems disappeared and so did my fatigue.

This was when I truly realized the phenomenal power of food and exercise. One thing I also did was add a variety of superfoods to my new diet. The superfoods are some of my favourite things, mostly because they tend to be hidden gems that aren’t too well-known among the commercial or mainstream food community; yet they have incredible effects on our mind and body. A happy body can help produce a happy mind and, subsequently, a peaceful atmosphere and calming energy that can help us function in our daily lives.

Below is a list of 5 superfoods that can bring some wonderful peaceful energy into your life. Goodness knows we all need some extra peace, and if these mighty munchies can give it to us, bring them on!

5 Best Superfoods for Creating Inner Peace:

1. Berries

All berries are good for you (except poisoned berries obviously – stay away from those). I cannot choose just one berry, because even though all berries have different healing properties, they all have healing properties and, as such, they can do amazing things for our mental and physical well-being.

Goji berries, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries, Incan berries – berries are absolutely loaded with antioxidants, high in fibre and can help fight inflammation. A handy tip is to purchase frozen berries – frozen berries actually retain more of their nutrients than the fresh ones because they are frozen shortly after picking. The fresh ones, on the other hand, will usually have undergone hours of transportation, losing some of their vitamins and minerals.

Plus, you can stock up with the frozen ones and have them ready for a delicious smoothie whenever you feel like it!

2. Avocado

The great thing about avocados is that they are widely available in supermarkets unlike some of the berries and they taste amazing, especially mashed and scooped into bell peppers with a bit of lemon juice.

The avocado contains good fat; it is loaded with heart-healthy monosaturated fatty acids and is also very high in fibre. They can also lower your cholesterol levels.

Avocado oil is an excellent oil to have on your shelf and can be used for frying, baking or drizzling over salads.

Check this out: Feed Your Body Friday: Stuffed Avocado Shrimp Salad

3. Kefir

Kefir is a fabulous superfood because it is one of the most potent of the probiotic family. Probiotics are essential to our gut health – they are live bacteria that travel into our bodies to do battle with all the ‘bad’ bacteria which seek to make our lives a living hell by damaging our gut system – this can include IBS, weakening our immune system and damaging our internal organs. Anyone who has had the displeasure and discomfort of irritable bowels would benefit from probiotics and kefir is one of the best out there. (Just remember that kefir can interact with some medications, so if you are on medication, be sure to check with your doctor first before including it into your diet).

Kefir can come in the form of a drink or a yogurt and has quite a tangy taste.

4. Quinoa

This is my personal favourite on the list. Quinoa was viewed as heaven-sent by the Ancient Aztecs and judging by the wide array of benefits from this nifty little seed, it’s not hard to see why!

Quinoa is one of the very few plant foods that is a complete protein; it has good amounts of all essential amino acids, making it a great dish for everyone, regardless of their dietary intake. It is gluten-free, high in protein and makes a brilliant substitute for rice. It is cooked in the same way as rice and is particularly tasty with a bit of garlic and real salt.

5. Raw Cacao

Chocolate! (Almost!) Raw cacao is chocolate in its original form.

While the chocolate bars we see on our shelves may fall into the “not-so-healthy” category, pure cacao has a wealth of rich benefits including more calcium than milk, plenty of antioxidants, minerals and magnesium, and also helps with depression, heart health, blood pressure and stress. Raw cacao powder can be mixed into a smoothie with banana and nut milk to give it a wonderfully sweet, chocolatey taste that not only tastes amazing, but also provides you with wonderful health benefits.

Concluding Thoughts…

A good diet, regular exercise and an array of superfoods can make an incredible difference to our mental well-being, which, in turn, helps to promote a peaceful atmosphere and soothing energy within us. We feel better about ourselves and the world around us when we take care of our physical body as we find our mental energies improving too.

So stock up with a bag of berries, a jar of cacao and the heavenly seeds of quinoa and discover for yourself how these mighty munchies can make a difference to your life!

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