Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by zach from lees summit , MO. zach Wonders, “why are they called super foods” Thanks for WONDERing with us, zach!

Imagine you’re grocery shopping for your family. What foods will you choose? Do you head straight for the frozen pizza? Will you fill your cart with chicken nuggets? Or would you rather grab a box of your favorite breakfast cereal?

Maybe you’re looking for healthy snacks! If so, you might pick out a few superfoods. No, these foods don’t have a large “S” on them like Superman’s costume. But their health benefits might seem like superpowers!

The term “superfood” has been around quite a while. People have started using it more over the last decade. What exactly makes a food super? Many kids probably think pizza is super! It’s very tasty, after all. But “superfood” describes foods that are dense in nutrients. This makes them healthy additions to your diet.

There’s no exact definition of superfood, though. In fact, you’ll find that scientists and dietitians rarely use the term. Instead, many consider “superfood” a marketing term used to point out foods that have certain health benefits. Most superfoods are plant-based. However, there are a few fish and dairy foods on the list.

Have you ever tried blueberries? How about kiwifruit? Maybe you’ve had kale or spinach with a meal. These are all examples of superfoods! And there are plenty of others—salmon, beans, whole grains, and quinoa just to name a few. Many items have been labeled superfoods at one time or another.

Superfoods are packed with vitamins and minerals. Many are high in fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. These have a variety of health benefits. The amount of nutrients in a superfood can vary wildly. Some superfoods are more super than others!

Should you eat superfoods? It’s always a good idea to get plenty of vitamins and minerals. However, eating only superfoods won’t necessarily make you healthier. Instead, the key is always to eat a balanced diet. Include many nutritious foods in moderate quantities.

Standards: NHES.A.5, NHES.A.7, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.W.4, CCRA.W.9, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2

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