The Magic Fitness Guide to Superfoods

Rather than strict diets at Magic Fitness, we tend to focus on good nutrition - not deprivation as we have found that it doesn't matter what the diet is, it's just not sustainable.

So in the interest in adding more nutritionally dense foods to your diet, here is the rundown to our top 10 superfoods and some ideas on how you can add more goodies to your diet to get better results in your health and fitness.

1) Kale
It is believed that the phytonutrients in kale can trigger the liver to produce enzymes that neutralize potentially cancer-causing substances - load us up! For an alternative way to eat kale, drizzle with olive oil and rock salt, pop in the oven and create a tasty alternative to potato chips. Otherwise kale is a great green to pop in to smoothies and juices as the flavour is very mild, so you can make your smoothie more nutritious without altering the taste too much.

2) Quinoa
A tasty, versatile source of proteinthat packs a hearty dose of unsaturated fats. It's also a brilliant source of fiber and B vitamins which many women lack in their diet but are vital in keeping our bodies well-oiled machines. Try cooking quinoa with chicken or vegetable stock and mixing in to salads or use as a replacement to rice and pasta. It's delicious!

3) Coconut Oil
There's a reason why coconut oil is THE superfood at the moment as its' list of health benefits are endless. From easing digestion, strengthening immunity, preventing / curing candida, giving glowing skin and healing damages tissues in the body!! Phew. Try substituting coconut oil in your cooking and baking and see the difference!

4) Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have massive nutritional benefits with a very low calorie count and are loaded with important nutrients vital for brain and body function. Sprinkle some on your salads, soups, smoothies, yoghurts, cereals to increase the nutritional POW in your packed lunch.

5) Hemp Seeds
An excellent source of fiber and protein, like chia these little bad boys can be sprinkled on just about anything to add some goodness to your meals.

6) Natural Yoghurt
Loaded with good bacteria for a healthy gut and a flat tummy, yoghurt makes an ideal post-workout snack as it has just the right ratio of protein to carbs. The amino acids give your muscles what they need to repair themselves, wereas the carbohydrates replace your muscles' energy stores that will definitely be depleted after your Magic Fitness workout! Try drinking a bottle of water along with your yoghurt as the protein may also help to increase the amount of water absorbed by the intestines, improving your hydration.

7) Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with phytonutrients that neutralize free radicals that cause aging and cell damage and make us look old before our years! Blueberries are a fantastic source of vitamin K well known for the important role it plays in blood clotting. However, vitamin K is also absolutely essential to building strong bones, preventing heart disease, and crucial part ofother bodily processes. Load them up on your breakfast cereal or eat with a handful of almonds as a snack.

8) Tomatoes
Full of the antioxidant lycopene, studies suggest that along with reducing cholesterol, tomatoes also pack a punch against skin cancer by protecting the skin from harmful rays. So along with slip, slop, slap - add tomatoes in to the mix!

9) Olive Oil
A long-standing major part of the Mediterranean diet, is Olive Oil now shown to be a dietary staple for some of the world’s healthiest populations! We'll have a bit of that please! A good quality extra-virgin Olive Oil is great as an anti-inflammatory, shown to work in a similar way to Ibruprofen! Not only that but it prevents against a myriad of cancers and cardiovascular disease. Use in place of butter or margarine, drizzle on salads or go all Italian and dip some bread in with a splash of Balsamic Vinegar. To make dressings, try decanting a large bottle of Olive Oil in to smaller glass bottles and popping different herbs and flavourings in each one such as rosemary, garlic, chillis etc. A yummy and healthy alternative to shop-bought dressings.

10) Oats 
Oats are great to keep your digestive system on the go as they're full of fiber. Not only that but rich in magnesium means that it helps signs of fatigue, insomnia, muscle cramps, weakness, anxiety and a whole host of other issues that affect your daily life.