Superfoods?!?!

lcransaw

I admit that I am new to the whole eating right game, but what is the deal about "superfoods". Do you believe in them?
That you can eat certain foods that will just melt away fat. I work full time and have a small child, so television is a luxury. My
coworker was ranting and raving about a segment on Dr. Oz and the Doctors about "superfoods" that will boost weightloss and
help lessen a person's chance for cancer. I don't know how credible this is, and I am still doing research on my own, but has anyone heard of this, and is this true?

lcransaw

Bump

BrianSharpe

Whatever Dr Oz says do the opposite. He's nothing more than a 21st century snake oil salesman (which is all the more disappointing seeing as he really is a brilliant physician - he's been seduced by the dark side)

There are foods rich in anti-oxidants and micronutreints (broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables come to mind) but there are no foods or pills or potions that will melt fat away, they'll just make your wallet lighter.

kellijauch

Superfoods are real, but be careful. They seem to be throwing that term around for almost any vegetable now. Real superfoods are things like spiralina, maca powder, etc. Go to a health food store and ask about them. There are some serious benefits to superfoods.

doompop

Superfoods are damned good for you. They help your body work better and feel better, whether or not they "melt away fat," and they certainly can't hurt in that department. Been adding things like chia seeds, hemp seed protein powder, spirulina, acai berry powder, and goji berries (usually not all together, since that can be overkill) to fruit smoothies, oatmeal, and homemade blended salad dressings. Feeling great.

Sedna_51

Cheese is my superfood. (Just kidding. Kind of.) I have to agree with BrianSharpe's assessment- there are some foods out there that current research suggests are very healthy for a variety of well-supported scientifically investigated reasons (dark leafy greens, plant-based fats like nuts and avocados, whole grains). Most of the "superfoods" I see advertised, however, vastly oversell any possible effects they might have.

I think a "superfood" is any healthy food you enjoy eating.

ryry_

Nothing but a buzz word to get you to buy something IMO. Just eat a well balanced diet, including fruits and veggies, and a calorie deficit.

sympha01

I'm inclined to take anything offered with a heaping serving of hype with a grain of salt. Skepticism never hurt anybody! Bear in mind that a lot of the voices touting the "superfoods" are either:

1. Industry PR / advertising intended purely to sell products. Boo!
2. Hired guns like Dr. Oz who are totally and completely for sale. If the cheese and butter lobby paid him enough, Dr. Oz would call cheese and butter health foods.
3. Cranks with an internet connection who fell for 1 and 2 above and now really, really need you to validate them by falling for it as well.

Moderation in everything. The thing is, unless you have a specific medical condition like diabetes or celiac disease, basic human nutrition is pretty straightforward and intuitive. Eat more real food, less fake manufactured food. Keep your total calorie intake moderate. Keep your intake of animal fats moderate. Get as many of your calories from fresh vegetables as you can stomach. Boom, you're eating super healthy now!

Confuzzled4ever

Chocolate is my superfood..

It has the amazing stupendous ability to turn my grumpy bad moments into happy ones.. it makes my frowns turn to smiles and it makes it so everyone around me lives to see another day...that is usually a good thing..

cwolfman13

Superfoods are real, but it doesn't mean what most people think it means. They don't magically melt away fat or anything like that...that's all industry marketing. What they are is a whole lot of nutrition for your caloric buck.