Latest Superfoods Put To The Test

May 2016: We’re all familiar with the latest ‘superfoods’; everything from goji berries to chia seeds. It’s a popular topic of conversation and something that many consumers spend lots of money on, with promises of more energy, better skin or other health and wellbeing benefits.

However, rather than jumping on the latest food fad, Flora is on a mission to reengage kids and families with where their food comes from and the amazing power of plants. The brand, which is focused on providing family goodness, has identified a list of the top kid-friendly superfoods for children to enjoy as they grow up; SuperGROW foods, if you will!

This is not about faddy eating but about making the most of the amazing power of plants and taking the best that nature has to offer our dinner tables and lunchboxes.

Working with Flora’s resident dietitian, Flora has compiled a list of eight SuperGROW foods, which your little ones can enjoy whilst growing up healthy and happy.

1. Kaleⁱ

Kale is one of the greenest superfoods available in our SuperGROW list and is packed full of the immune boosting nutrient Vitamin C.  Vitamin C supports the immune system and helps with  collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Kale, a good plant source of calcium, which can help maintain bone health.

2. Avocado^iv

Avocado is one of the most popular superfoods around; it is high in healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and is high energy, which supports an active childhood. Avocado contains good levels of potassium, which plays an important role in muscle function in children. Avocado contains many essential vitamins and minerals allowing kids to grow up healthy.

3. Cranberries^v

Cranberries might be small in stature, but what they lack in size they make up for in nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Cranberries are an iodine-rich easy-to-find plant food.  Iodine regulates the production of thyroid hormones and has been shown to contribute to cognitive function. Iodine also has been shown to be important for normal growth, making cranberries the must-have fruit on the SuperGROW list.

4. Flax Seeds^vii

Flax seeds are a good source of essential Omega-3 fatty acids. These ‘good’ fats are particularly important for children, as they play an important role for normal growth and development. Your child’s body cannot produce these fatty acids so they must be obtained from their diet.

5. Oats^viii

Oats are a wholegrain food source rich in fibre. Did you know the recommendations for the amount of fibre we should eat has now increased? A quick breakfast of oatmeal with cranberries and flaxseeds is a great choice to keep the children happy throughout the morning.

6. Sweet Potato^ix

Sweet potatoes are full of beta-carotene, which gives them their orange glow. The human body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which is essential for a normal function of the immune system and contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.  They are also rich in vitamin C, which again can help the normal function of the immune system.

7. Quinoa^x

Quinoa is a healthy lunchbox choice for kids, as it is one of the few plant foods that are considered a complete protein, meaning it includes all essential amino acids in balanced proportion.  A cup of quinoa contains as much as 8g of protein.

8. Plant Based Spreads

A plant based spread, such as Flora, is powered by plants, and is made with nutritious seed oils such as sunflower, rapeseed and linseed, also known as ‘good fats’. All of these seed oils are natural sources of omegas 3 and 6, which are essential to eat in our diet and helps children to grow and develop. Flora also contains vitamin A and vitamin D- the sunny vitamin we can all do with more of in our diet. Just a couple of servings[i] of Flora a day provides children with a significant portion of the essential omega oils and vitamins A, D and E.