Ballyfree

Superfoods are often described as foods that are naturally low in fat but high in many health promoting nutrients.

These foods may just give you that nutrition-packed punch your body requires. The good news from Ballyfree is that Turkey is considered to have all the qualities of a superfood so read on to find out more about Ballyfree Turkey and others...

Turkey

Turkey is versatile, low in fat and a great protein choice. It is a good source of Zinc and Selenium important nutrients for our immune system with selenium having the added benefit of also being an antioxidant. Turkey also contains the B vitamins, Trytophan and B6, which help our bodies release energy from the foods we eat. Check out our recipes section to see how you can include this Superfood in your healthy eating plan.

Avocados

Avocados are often overlooked due to the high fat content but the fat they contain is highly monounsaturated, the kind that's associated with a healthy heart. Avocados are also rich in vitamin E, another heart helper.

Berries

Whether your favorites are blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a combination, your body benefits from these nutrition packed gems. All berries are important sources of vitamin C, important in the bodies healing process.

Green Vegetables

Cabbage and green leafy vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients. They are an important source of soluble fibre, vitamins A and C and the energy-releasing B vitamins. Savoy, green and red cabbage and kale all contain large amounts of the phytonutrients, thought to help in the fight against some cancers. Folic acid is found in all leafy green vegetables and is important during early pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Beans and pulses

Beans or pulses are part of the legume family. They are low in fat and are high in protein, vitamins and minerals. They are often referred to as the heart happy food due to their high fibre content which may help reduce cholesterol. A serving of beans or lentils supplies at least 4 grams of soluble fiber.

Nuts

Studies have consistently shown all varieties of nuts, including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and cashews, are an excellent choice for people aiming to improve heart health and although nuts are high in fat, they contain primarily monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat.

Oily Fish

Oily fish such as fresh tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega 3 fats. These fats are are best known for their beneficial effects when eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet. Regular fish consumption may also help our immune system and reduce inflammation.

Wholegrains

This terms describes all cereals (including wheat, oats and barley) that contain the wholegrain -- that is the outer bran layer, the starchy centre and the germ or seed in the centre. It's the combination of all three that make wholegrain so important in the diet. Wholegrains are rich in insoluble fibre ( which helps maintain a healthy bowel and prevents constipation ) and the soluble form (which helps to lower cholesterol levels).

Kiwi fruit

Kiwi is one of our best sources of vitamin C, containing almost twice as much as an orange, in fact one kiwi can provide more than the full recommended daily intake for adults.

Tomatoes

There are many different varieties from sweet cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes but they all share similar 'super food' qualities. Tomatoes are rich in naturally occurring antioxidants such as lycopene which gives tomatoes their red colour. Lycopene is thought to help fight against cancer and heart disease. Heat processing such as cooking, as in the preparation of tomato sauces is recommended as it increases the availability of lycopene.