Superfoods for vegans are a lifesaver if you struggle to get enough fiber and nutrients in your diet. Experts recommend eating at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, but we often need to catch up on this mark.
There are many delicious and convenient ways to boost your diet and get the best superfoods benefits for your health. But which superfoods should you take if you're a vegan?
Let's look at why you should try superfoods if you’re a vegan, plus the top eight recommendations to get you started.
Why Vegans Need Superfoods
One big challenge for vegans is finding plant-based alternatives for proteins. The best superfoods carry more than enough proteins to replace dairy, meat, eggs, and honey.
You can add superfoods to your favorite smoothie, juice, or milk alternative and enjoy a balanced diet. Superfoods also punch above their weight in terms of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients help to manage or reduce health problems from allergies to heart disease.
That said, superfoods can power-pack an already healthy diet. You don't need to love fruit and vegetables to enjoy their benefits. Choose the best superfoods, mix them with water, juice, or plant-based milk, and you're good to go.
Go for a superfood powder that tastes great and dissolves completely in your smoothie. You can also add it to your meals as you cook or combine it with your protein shake for an energy boost when you exercise.
So, let's look at the top eight superfoods for vegans.
Top 8 Amazing Superfoods for Vegans
The list below features a variety of superfoods that you can easily incorporate in your daily meals, smoothies, and drinks. These superfoods are all vegan-friendly and packed with essential nutrients.
We also include the pros and cons of each superfood, so talk to your doctor before you use them.
1. Super Greens Powder
Green vegetables are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but they can be tough to get down. That's why Ensō Supergreens is the best superfoods for vegans. It tastes better than your average green powder mix, so it also works with vegetable dips and salad dressings. You can enjoy Supergreens at any time, although it's best when you wake up or after a good workout.
Pros:
- Includes organic kale, broccoli, nettle leaf, alfalfa, peppermint, and more nutrient-rich ingredients
- All ingredients are locally grown
- A fine powder that blends completely–no clumps
- No grassy aftertaste
- It helps to relieve bloating and detoxify the body.
Cons:
- Not a vegetable replacement
- Requires consistent use to see health benefits
Bottom line: Supergreens is a pure, sustainably-made superfood powder that boosts your immunity or weight loss program. Take Supergreens at least once daily, ideally during morning hours, to energize your day.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is a fine golden powder packed with curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory compound. It’s warm, earthy flavor works well in superfoods smoothies. Turmeric also goes well with ginger for an extra nutritional boost.
Pros:
- Natural immunity booster
- Rich history in Ayurvedic medicine
- Relieves post-workout soreness
- Helps to manage arthritis symptoms
Cons:
- It may interfere with lab tests due to its color and properties
- Avoid it if you're taking blood-thinning medicines
- It may take several months to see positive health effects
Bottom line: Add turmeric to your superfoods smoothies if you struggle with arthritis or chronic inflammation. However, use one form of turmeric at a time–don't combine turmeric powder with turmeric pills or capsules, for example.
3. Matcha
Matcha is a type of tea that's more potent than green tea. Matcha powder makes the superfoods for vegans list for its incredible antioxidant content. Add matcha powder to fresh, fruity smoothies to mask their slightly grassy flavor.
Pros:
- Great for skin health
- It helps to process body fat and lose weight
- It may boost memory and brain functions
Cons:
- High caffeine content
- It may increase stomach acidity
Bottom line: Matcha is green tea's more powerful alternative, which can even replace coffee in your diet. Switch to matcha to boost your metabolism.
4. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have high fiber and protein content, making them one of the best superfoods for vegans. These little black-and-white seeds have been around for centuries, only gaining global superfood status in recent years.
Pros:
- Raw chia seeds have no taste, so they blend well with any smoothie
- It makes you feel satiated for longer, which helps with weight loss
- It can reduce the risk of diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic diseases
Cons:
- It may cause bloating and gas
- Avoid chia seeds if you have a mustard seed allergy
- Avoid chia seeds if you're taking blood-thinning medication
Bottom line: Chia seeds are an excellent source of plant-based proteins suitable for vegan diets. Add no more than a tablespoon of chia seeds to your meal or smoothies every day.
5. Spirulina
Spirulina is a dark green powder product from blue-green algae. It's packed with vitamins, proteins, minerals, and detoxifying nutrients. Use spirulina with sweet fruits to mask its seaweed flavor for the best results.
Pros:
- It may reduce bad cholesterol and high blood pressure
- High antioxidant content fights inflammation
- May regulate blood sugar levels for diabetes patients
- High iron content boosts red blood cells and reduces anemia
Cons:
- Carries risk of contamination from metals found in seawater
- High iodine content may cause thyroid problems
- It may be harmful to children and pregnant women
Bottom line: Spirulina offers incredible superfood benefits for vegans, but ensure that you use an ethically-sourced, clean product. Otherwise, you may risk metal contamination or excess iodine.
6. Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds have exceptional protein and fiber content, making them the best superfoods to add to your diet. You can use whole hemp seeds or hemp hearts (seeds with the shell removed), but hemp powder is best for your vegan smoothies.
Pros:
- It may help manage bloating, arthritis, asthma, and heart problems
- May reduce high blood pressure
- It may prevent inflammation and tumors
Cons:
- Use small doses to avoid nausea and stomach upsets
- High-fat content may lead to mild diarrhea
- Avoid hemp seeds if you're taking diuretic medications.
Bottom line: Hemp seed powder offers plenty of protein and fiber for vegans. But don't worry, hemp protein powder contains little to no THC, so you won't get high or addicted to it.
7. Acai Berries
You can’t have a superfoods list without acai berries. These delicious purple berries have more antioxidants than other berries, like blueberries and strawberries. You can add acai berry powder or frozen acai berries in your vegan smoothies for nutrient-boost.
Pros:
- Delicious berry/chocolate flavor
- High vitamin and protein content
- Boosts immunity and weight loss
- Improves liver and kidney functions
Cons:
- It may cause an allergic reaction if you're sensitive to berries
- It may interact with painkillers and NSAIDs like aspirin
- Avoid acai berry supplements if you're breastfeeding
Bottom line: Acai berries are a nutritional powerhouse, but take them in moderation to see their full superfoods benefits.
8. Raw Cacao
Raw cacao is made from sun-dried or slow-roasted cacao beans to retain their nutrients. It's filled with flavonoids, iron, protein, and fiber, making it a healthier alternative to cocoa.
You can make delicious, guilt-free vegan smoothies with raw cacao powder.
Pros:
- Minimal processing to maintain nutrients
- It may help fight inflammation
- It may reduce the risk of liver disease and obesity
Cons:
- Bitter flavor
- Contains caffeine
Bottom line: Raw cacao powder is an excellent substitute for processed cocoa in smoothies and baked goods. But due to the bitter taste, use healthier sugar alternatives like stevia, dates, or applesauce if you have a sweet tooth.
Final Thoughts
These superfoods for vegans add nutrients, energy, and flavor to your daily vegan diet. Whether you struggle to get your veggies down or want to boost your protein intake after working out, you have plenty to choose from with this list.
If you have any questions about superfoods benefits, talk to your doctor about a more holistic approach to your health. Ready to get your superfoods benefits? Take your pick out of the Ensō Superfoods shop today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are superfoods worth it?
Superfoods offer lots of benefits for your vegan diet and health. They increase your vitamin and fiber intake to meet your recommended dietary intake. Superfoods can also help reduce caffeine and sugar in your diet.
What are the best superfoods to add to smoothies?
Organic greens and berries work well in superfoods smoothies. Add the superfood powder to banana, pineapple, cucumber, mango, or pear smoothies to blend their flavors easily. A touch of fresh mint also adds a refreshing flavor to your vegan smoothies.
What are the best superfoods to boost my brain?
Add chia seeds to your smoothies for a brain-boosting beverage. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that improve brain health. Acai berries also boost your brain with rich vitamins and minerals.
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