Adding Superfoods to Your Diet Doesn't Have to Be Hard

Superfoods come in all shapes and sizes, but are you getting enough of them?

It's not always easy to think of how to incorporate superfoods into regular meal, so here are a few easy recipes that have a superfood element to them.

White bean dip

White beans such as cannellini, butter beans and haricot beans can provide you with a fibre- and protein-rich snacking dip. Similar to houmous, this white bean dip actually has a smoother texture and tastes a little creamier. All you need is two cans of white beans, the juice from two lemons and a ¼ cup of tahini. Blend these with four cloves of garlic, and ½ teaspoon of salt. When you've got a smooth paste, gradually add ¼ cup of olive oil until it's all combined. Eat your superfood dip with crackers or on a piece of toast.

Spirulina soup

All veggie soups are packed with vitamins and nutrients from whatever vegetables you decide to include in them. However, for an extra super soup, you'd be smart to enlist the help of spirulina. This spirulina soup recipe with courgettes, onions, peas and carrots shows you how to add spirulina into an everyday, easy lunch. Spirulina is a naturally-occurring algae or cyanbacteria that's available to buy in powder form, so it's easy to add to different dishes. It contains plenty of protein and B-vitamins as well as antioxidants and other nutrients.

Salmon and lentil salad

Superfood meals don't have to be expensive or hard to prepare. You can make a great salad using canned salmon, which is full of healthy omega-3 fats, which help reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Lentils are full of fibre and can be a colourful addition to your plate.

Turn beetroot into brownies

Beetroot has been hailed as a superfood, thanks to its links to lowering blood pressure and its abundance of antioxidants. But it doesn't have to be eaten as a soup or salad; try making beetroot and ginger brownies for a healthy alternative sweet option. They will stay fresh and moist for about four days, as long as you store them in an airtight container.

Apricot and cashew bars

Apricots are a great source of beta-carotene, which is good for your eyesight. Mix a cup of dried apricots with a cup of finely chopped cashews, and a ¼ cup of Medjool dates. Add 1 tablespoon cashew butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt. Mix everything together and transfer to a prepared pan, lined with baking parchment. Cover the pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for an hour at least before slicing into bars. These bars will stay fresh for five days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Adding superfoods to your diet doesn't need to be complicated - and it doesn't mean you have to change your whole menu plan. Try some of the ideas above to boost your superfood intake in a way that adds interest and variety to the other meals you already enjoy.