8 More Affordable Alternatives to Superfoods

Black rice, green tea, incaberries, blueberries, goji berries, almonds, chia seeds, and quinoa are some of the superfoods that have cancer-fighting properties and promote health. Depending on where you live and how much you earn, those superfoods can drain your wallet in a week, or less.

It turns out there is another superfood ‘category” that consists of the cheap yet super healthy items that everyone can eat daily. Here are eight more affordable alternatives to superfoods that you can use to your benefits.

1 Brazil nuts

When you can’t buy almonds, swap them for Brazil nuts, which contain 153 times higher amount of selenium. Selenium is an important micronutrient and a powerful antioxidant that protect the cells and help lower cholesterol.

2 Broccoli

Kale is a popular superfood that is fortified with iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and fiber. But the price can frighten your wallet at times. Broccoli is not a popular smoothie ingredient, unlike kale, but it does contain more potassium and vitamin C, and helps to keep your heart healthy and can lower bad cholesterol levels.

3 Sesame seeds

Chia seeds are healthy, delicious and versatile, but let’s be honest, how many of us can afford to eat these tiny seeds daily? Sesame seeds are perfect alternatives to chia seeds. Both of them contain omegas 3 and 6, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, though sesame seeds contain the higher amount of iron, vitamin B6, magnesium and calcium. People who do not eat fish can improve their ‘good’ fat consumption by adding sesame seeds to their meals.

4 Raspberries

When you can’t afford to buy goji berries or you just have trouble finding them, raspberries will easily replace them. Just like goji berries, raspberries are plentiful in nutrients and antioxidants that help to ward off heart disease, boost your immunity, and reduce your cancer risk. Plus, raspberries are very low in sugars and calories, making them a perfect yogurt or smoothie addition for every dieter.

Read also – 6 Reasons We Should All Be Eating More Raspberries

5 Spinach

Wheatgrass is a popular superfood that most nutritionists swear by. However, you can end up paying up to $15 dollars for 1 lb bag while a bunch of organic spinach costs around $2-$3. The health benefits of spinach are as powerful as of wheatgrass. Plus, spinach is one of the best sources of lutein that may reduce your risk of macular degeneration.

6 Lentils

Quinoa is everywhere and no wonder why – everyone is talking about its enormous health benefits. However, it is rather pricey, so when you are low on cash, opt for lentils instead. They contain more fiber than quinoa, and boast a host of great health benefits. Consuming lentils regularly help to improve heart health, reduce cholesterol, keep digestive system healthy, control blood sugar, fight micronutrient malnutrition, and boost energy levels.

7 Rapeseed oil

You can easily replace olive and coconut oils with rapeseed oil. It contains 9 grams of monounsaturated fat in 1 tbsp, while coconut oil contains only 0.8 g. A study found that rapeseed oil may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Moreover, rapeseed oil a good source of Vitamin E and contains ten times more omega 3 than olive oil.

8 Blackberries

In many countries, blueberries are extremely expensive. If this is the case, opt for blackberries. A cup of blackberries contains 50% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 6% of RDA of vitamin A, and 7% of RDA of magnesium.

Not to mention, 8 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and 233 mg of potassium found in a cup of these berries. Blackberries are a good source of natural antioxidants, which are good for your overall health.

Read also – 9 Most Delicious Ways to Eat More Berries

Now that you know what superfood swaps you can make, stop worrying about not consuming enough superfoods. Remember, most organic foods are good for your body. Read the labels before buying and do not stuff your meals with salt and sugar. How often do you consume superfoods? What are the superfood swaps you have to make?