Spice Up Nutrition Month With the Peruvian Superfoods Diet
- Mar 4, 2016
- 2 min read
March is National Nutrition Month, making for the perfect moment to check in with your eating. Believe it or not, there are still new discoveries in the world of nutrition -- it's an exciting time to explore healthy and delicious foods you might not already know. That's why I'm using this opportunity to introduce the Peruvian Superfoods diet. Peruvian superfoods, direct from the Andes and the Amazon, promise multiple health benefits with a Latin American flair. Fortunately, these once-obscure products are now available in mainstream American supermarkets.
The Peruvian diet has an extraordinary number of superfoods, enough to rival the widely touted Mediterranean diet. There's no scientific definition for superfoods, but I use the term to describe hardworking, functional foods that far surpass basic nutritional content. In the case of Peruvian superfoods, these are products rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, anti-inflammatory fats, and other naturally occurring chemicals that have been associated with prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes; blood sugar regulation; and reduced inflammation. There may already be some Peruvian superfoods in your diet -- avocados and sweet potatoes are popular examples. Those are just the beginning, because the Peruvian diet contains an incredible number of superfoods, in varieties many North Americans may have never tasted.
Benefits of the nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants in the Peruvian diet include:
Omega-3s and anti-inflammatory fats can lower triglycerides and blood pressure and monounsaturated fats help reduce cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Sources: sacha inchi seeds, and chia seeds; a good source of monounsaturated fats: avocados.
Disease-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals act as free radical scavengers and contain anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, all while increasing immune system support. Sources: ají pepper, purple potatoes, beans and purple corn
Anti-aging micronutrients help increase vitality, longevity, energy, and improve memory, vision, and skin. Sources: maca, lucuma, camu and sweet potatoes
Digestive health through probiotics and fiber, which help reduce bloating, gas, and stomach pain and cramps. Sources: papaya and yacon
Obviously there are real health benefits to the Peruvian Superfoods diet, but it's important to remember that none of these foods are the "magic bullet" that will lead to overall good health. By the same token, there are many other foods that are healthy, and many paths to nutritious eating. My point is to not replace all your current healthy foods with Peruvian ones! But, if you're looking to make Nutrition Month your moment to change up your diet, or to put some new flavors in your already health-conscious eating, incorporating Peruvian superfoods into your diet will promises fresh, whole, healthy foods with a tasty pop for your palate.
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