As an elite athlete, I’m always looking for ways to help compliment my diet to ensure that I’m getting the highest quality nutrition. I always want to be able to perform my best, recover as quickly as possible and stay strong and healthy so I can keep training. Eating a diet filled with a variety of whole foods helps me do this. In my mind every whole food is a superfood, but I’d like to share with you my favorites and some of the most powerful.

Superfood #1: Moringa.

Here is some insightful information on what it is, what benefits it can give you and how to use it in your diet.
Moringa is a tree that grows in the foothills of the Himalayas and is touted as the most nutritious tree on Earth and for good reason. It’s been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to help curealmost 300 diseases. It’s loaded with an array of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and phytonutrients such as vitamin B, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, C, A, Iron, Fiber, Calcium, Protein, Zinc, Copper, Sulfur, Chloride, Folic Acid, Selenium, Chromium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Manganese and Magnesium.

One of the main reasons I take moringa is for it’s natural energy boosting and endurance enhancing properties through nourishment of the body, not stimulation. Since I want every workout of mine to be quality, I add moringa to my morning smoothie for better performance. It promotes metabolism too and who doesn’t want that? I also love it because it helps my immune system stay strong, especially after a tough training run.  To also help with recovery (or any injury/illness), Moringa acts as a very powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and helps promote a healthy circulatory system. It even promotes proper digestion and healthy functioning of the liver and kidneys. Since it contains all the essential amino acids needed by the body to grow, repair and maintain cells I particularly love adding moringa to my recovery drinks. It helps to lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol, is a natural sleep aid, helps to relieve anxiety, lowers glucose levels and (listen up ladies) promotes beautiful skin by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Moringa leaf powder is very versatile and can be added to almost anything. It is very potent and I would recommend that you start with a 1/2 t. and work your way up to 1 T. I would also recommend to use it raw so the nutritional qualities stay in tact.

Try this recipe using Moringa:    

8 oz water

1 banana

1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries

1 teaspoon moringa

1 cup kale or other dark leafy greens

1 T ground flax seed or hemp seed

1 1/2 inch sliver fresh ginger (optional)

 

Be sure to stay tuned to find out what’s next on my list of superfoods!