Superfoods you want to eat every week (yes, chocolate is on the list)
Superfoods: just the word sounds like you're floating through life on a cloud of quinoa in yoga pants with a glow that even Gwyneth would envy. And now the New York Times has shared a list of 14 superfoods you should eat every week. Spoiler alert: chocolate is on it. No goji berries or obscure powders, just products you can easily pull from your kitchen cabinet . And that makes us, healthy and happy, very happy.
Accessible foods
What struck me about the list? They are mostly simple, accessible foods that your mother would have recommended too. Apples, oatmeal, spinach… It almost feels like cheating that they fall under the fancy label “superfood,” but hey: if it works, it works. No fuss, no overly sweet smoothies full of unpronounceable ingredients, just: a pumpkin soup, a piece of salmon, a bowl of yogurt with nuts. Eating healthy doesn’t really mean you have to leave all your salary at the organic store.
Chocolate on the list
And then the moment my heart skipped a beat: dark chocolate. Not as a guilty pleasure, but as a recommended superfood. Look, these are the studies I love. Pure chocolate (at least 70% cocoa, so no excuses for those Kinder bars) contains antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, and boosts your mood. And believe me: if you melt pure chocolate, mix it with almonds, and put it in the fridge, you have a super tasty snack. And the fun part is that you won’t keep eating it, you’ll feel satisfied.
The 14 superfoods according to the NYT
- Apples – Fiber, antioxidants, and a crispy bite that always works
- Bananas – Full of potassium and natural sugars, perfect for on-the-go
- Oats – The classic for long-lasting energy and a happy belly
- Pumpkin – Full of beta-carotene and autumn vibes
- Spinach – For the iron supply and the Popeye vibe
- Tomatoes – Rich in lycopene, good for skin and heart
- Oranges – Vitamin C bombs and instant sunshine on your plate
- Wild salmon – Omega 3’s for your brain, skin, and heart
- Turkey – Lean, protein-rich, and surprisingly versatile
- Soy – Plant-based proteins for the win
- Nuts – Good fats and crunchy snack vibes
- Walnuts – Extra love for your heart and brain
- Black tea – Chic, relaxing, and antioxidant-rich break
- Dark chocolate – Because health can also be delicious
The balance: healthy and cozy
The beauty of this list is that it’s not about restriction or detoxing. It’s not a juice cleanse, no lifelong bans on white bread or pasta. On the contrary: it’s all about balance. You don’t have to be a foodie to do something with this. Start your day with oatmeal, throw a few leaves of spinach on your lunch sandwich, snack on an apple with some nuts, and finish with – yes – a piece of chocolate. See? No rocket science. Just results.
Eating with a plan (but without stress)
Since I learned about this list, I try to keep a sort of mini-superfood bingo in my week. No pressure – just a little bit of attention. Monday: pumpkin soup. Tuesday: salmon with spinach. Wednesday: breakfast with oatmeal and banana. Friday? Apple with peanut butter and chocolate for dessert. So easy. And the nice thing is: you really feel better for it. Fewer dips, more energy, and – let’s be honest – the feeling that you have your life pretty well in order.
For your bag, your fridge, and your heart
A few superfoods are also perfect on-the-go food. An orange in your bag is definitely a fashion statement (because: cheerful), a handful of nuts when you’re on the road prevents those hangry snacking moments. And tomatoes? They do fantastic in your pasta salad to go. Everything is nice and practical, without meal prep stress or three hours of kitchen inspiration.
The weekend bonus: chocolate & tea
For the weekend, I save my favorite combination: black tea with a piece of dark chocolate. Preferably with lavender in the background and my phone somewhere very far away. Black tea is also packed with antioxidants, just like that chocolate. So what you call: relaxing. What I call: a well-thought-out health strategy. Tactical enjoyment, we call that.
