If you think you’re getting adequate nutrition from your regular diet, then think again. Fantastic superfoods are lurking out there that are nutrient-dense and will help your body function optimally. Health-conscious people already know that having superfoods can bring maximum nutritional benefits with minimal calories.
Superfoods like chickpeas, kale, blueberries, etc. are ideal for all those looking to strengthen their immune systems. They are packed with vitamins A, C, calcium, protein, iron, and antioxidants. Did you know kale and spinach have more than 10 times the immune-boosting vitamins A and C of lettuce?
What better way to have all these superfoods than to combine them in a healthy salad with mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, flaxseeds, salmon, and more for texture, flavor, and variety?
List of superfoods
Here is a list of superfoods for you to use and spice up your health. Feel free to use them in salads and in everyday meals.
Greek yogurt
quinoa
broccoli
blueberries
salmon
eggs
cauliflower
kale
chia
oatmeal
green tea
Strawberries
pumpkin
apple
cranberries
watermelon
spinach
pistachios
almonds
ginger
beets
beans
garlic
leeks
lentils
Thinking of how to use them in a salad? Well, there are various ways to use these superfoods to create nutritious salads, and today we have put together three salads using some of these superfood ingredients. You can try these and also put together your own!
1. Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad in Apple Cider Vinegar dressing
Ingredients
1 cup of cauliflower
1 cup chickpeas, boiled
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup of blueberries
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (or seeds of your choice)
For the salad dressing
34 cups of water
3 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1 garlic clove (finely minced)
1 tsp. chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon table salt
Direction
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a spoon.
Break up the cauliflower into florets and toss in all the salad ingredients, like boiled chickpeas, onions, strawberries, and blueberries, into a large bowl.
Add the salad dressing to the salad mixture; make sure it’s coated all the ingredients properly.
Add sunflower seeds on top of it and serve. Enjoy!
2. Quinoa and Roasted Sweet Potato in Pomegranate Juice
Ingredients
200 g of quinoa
2 sweet potatoes (350 g each)
320 grams of broccoli
40 g mixed sprouts
100 grams of lettuce
1 ripe avocado
20 grams of cheese
1 teaspoon of dried chili flakes
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of olive oil
35 g mixed nuts
1 pomegranate
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 splash of balsamic vinegar
2 limes
1 bunch of fresh coriander (30 g)
1 red chili, fresh
Direction
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Cut the sweet potato into small pieces and garnish with chilli flakes, ground coriander, cinnamon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Toss them well and spread them out on a baking sheet; bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Boil the quinoa in a pan till cooked. Cut the broccoli into florets and halve it. Steam it for 5 minutes, or till tender.
Allow the broccoli, quinoa, and sweet potato to cool for some time. Meanwhile, toast the nuts, crush them slightly, and keep them in a bowl.
For the dressing, squeeze out the juice from the pomegranate into a large bowl and add extra virgin olive oil, salt, lime juice, and balsamic vinegar to it, whisking well.
Add the broccoli, sweet potato, quinoa, and sprouts to the dressing, and then add the cut lettuce.
Add coriander leaves and chilies, and toss well. Add the avocado to it and the reserved pomegranate seeds to garnish. Serve and enjoy.
3. Radish, Cabbage, Spinach, and Quinoa in a Mustard & Honey dressing
Ingredients
2 cups radish, chopped
1/2 cup broccoli florets
2 cups spinach or palak leaves, chopped
1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 green apple, cubed
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup toasted, sliced almonds
1 tsp. chia seeds
dressing with mustard sauce
1/3 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
3 tablespoons of honey
2 tbsp. mustard sauce
pinch of pepper
salt
Direction
Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl and mix them together.
Add the salad dressing to a small bowl and combine well.
Adjust the seasoning if required.
Add the seasoning to the salad and toss everything together.
Serve and enjoy!
