An Introduction to Heinen’s Organic Superfoods
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
Some of the best news I received in my career at Heinen’s was that we would be carrying our own line of USDA Organic superfoods. These nutritious and affordable foods can be found in your local Heinen’s Wellness Department for all your smoothie, baking, and energy bite-making needs!
If you’re not familiar with what superfoods are, they are nutrient-rich foods that offer a wide range of health-boosting benefits. Just a teaspoon of superfoods is all you need to give your body the extra nutrients it craves.
Here’s a quick look at each of our new Club Fx™-approved superfoods, along with simple ideas for adding them to your meals and snacks.
Organic Beet Powder
Fx™ Pillar 6: Remember functional foods: fresh herbs and fermented foods.
Beets deliver betaines—the phytonutrients responsible for their vibrant red color. This beet powder adds an earthy flavor to food and drinks with potential added benefits including:
- Increased blood flow and lower blood pressure
- Increased oxygen uptake, which may support energy and performance
Recipe Ideas: Blend Heinen’s beet powder into your favorite smoothie or stir it into hummus for a delicious, eye-catching veggie dip or baked potato topping!
Organic Cacao Powder
Fx™ Pillar 6: Remember functional foods: fresh herbs and fermented foods.
Cacao (pronounced “cu-COW”) is made from the fermented, dried seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree.
As one of the functional foods on the Club Fx™ Top 100 Foods List, cacao boasts the following benefits:
- More antioxidants than most green tea
- One of the highest dietary sources of magnesium
- Contains tryptophan to support a healthy and balanced mood
- May help with reduced blood pressure, improved blood vessel health and elevated HDL (“good”) cholesterol
Recipe Ideas: Enjoy this Decadent Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding for breakfast or dessert.
Organic Cacao Nibs
Fx™ Pillar 6: Remember functional foods: fresh herbs and fermented foods.
Once the cacao seeds are dried and fermented, they can be cracked into small pieces or “nibs”. Although not sweet, cacao nibs offer a nice nutritious crunch to oatmeal, yogurt, and smoothie bowls. A teaspoon or two is all you’ll need!
Organic Black Chia Seeds
Fx™ Pillar 3: Dose with omega-3 fats every day.
A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds, although very small in size, have the power to reduce inflammation in the body and even increase good cholesterol to benefit your overall cardiovascular health. In addition to being heart healthy, their high fiber content will help keep you feeling fuller longer.
Recipe Idea: Check off two Heinen’s superfoods (chia and cacao) when you make this energizing and satisfying 5-minute Lion’s Mane Shake with Cacao and Raspberry.
Organic Whole and Ground Brown Flaxseed
Fx™ Pillar 3: Dose with omega-3 fats every day.
Flaxseeds are a great source of soluble fiber and omega-3 fats. They are easier to digest when ground and can even help bind things together, making them a great replacement for eggs in some recipes. I like to buy my flaxseeds whole and then grind them in my coffee grinder right before I use them.
Recipe Idea: Stir ground flaxseed into yogurt or oatmeal bowls or sprinkle on peanut butter toast. These wholesome Banana Walnut Muffins are the perfect treat when you’re looking for something sweet. In addition to walnuts, they call for ground flaxseed to give you an extra boost of omega-3s!
Organic Maca Powder
Fx™ Pillar 6: Remember functional foods: fresh herbs and fermented foods.
Maca root was used in ancient Peru as a source of nourishment. It has an earthy, slightly nutty taste with a hint of butterscotch. Maca’s benefits include hormonal health, stamina, stress support, and healthy metabolism.
Recipe Idea: Make a batch of Maca Energy Bars to have on-hand for a healthy on-the-go breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Organic Spirulina Powder
Fx™ Pillar 6: Remember functional foods: fresh herbs and fermented foods.
Spirulina is a blue-green algae considered one of the world’s most concentrated sources of functional nutrients, including chlorophyll, trace minerals, vitamins, protein, and antioxidants. Consider supplementing with spirulina if you are in need of detox support, immune support, or extra energy.
Recipe Idea: Make Spirulina Energy Balls for a midday snack.
Key Takeaway
Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact on your health. What could be easier than adding a teaspoon of a Heinen’s superfood to one of your meals?
