Here's why these three foods are practically a staple among health-conscious celebs and foodies. Plus, we tell you how to pronounce them, so you can casually order an acai smoothie with all the cool of George Clooney.
Acai berries (ah-sigh-EE or ah-SIGH-ee)
Brazilian surfers eat theirs with granola, and you know what their bodies look like! Packed with twice the disease-fighting antioxidants of blueberries, acai has already made Oprah's list of top 10 superfoods and the Washington Post called the blackberry-flavored fruit the "new pomegranate." But you may find it easier to sip yours: Celestial Seasonings sells an acai-green tea blend, and acai martinis are on chic bar menus everywhere.
- DIY acai fruit soda: Just mix chilled sparkling mineral water with a few ounces of acai juice, available at health-food stores. Sip. Look cool. Feel healthy.
Quinoa (KEEN-wah)
Dry quinoa looks a bit like sesame seeds, but when cooked it becomes fluffy and has a hint of crunch, making it an excellent substitution for rice, couscous, and pasta. Quinoa's major claim to food fame, however, is what RealAge experts call its "nutritional profile." A cup of quinoa has more protein than a quarter-pound hamburger and more calcium than a quart of milk. Yowza! It's also loaded with iron, magnesium, and a bevy of other minerals and B vitamins. No wonder the Incas named it "the mother grain." Try it in this warm salad from our friends at EatingWell.
Quinoa and Black Beans
Stir in your favorite jarred salsa for extra zing.
This is also good the next day for lunch.
Makes 2 servings, about 1/2 cup each.
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed
2 tablespoons broth (or water)
1/2 cup hot quinoa (cook according to package directions
Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion and cook until almost tender. Add beans and broth (or water) to the pan. Cook until heated through. Stir in quinoa.
Per serving: 162 calories; 4 grams fat (0 grams sat); 0 milligrams cholesterol; 27 grams carbohydrate; 6 grams protein; 4 grams fiber; 60 milligrams sodium; 224 milligrams potassium
Matcha (MAH-cha)
When you drink a cuppa matcha (also spelled maccha), you're getting green tea's powerful antioxidants to the max, because you're actually consuming the whole green tea leaf in powdered form. In Japan, slightly bitter matcha is traditionally served syrupy thick. But in the U.S., you'll find matcha stirred into lattes, sprinkled on ice cream, and used to bolster energy drinks and turn smoothies into pick-me-ups (it's said to boost alertness). Just be respectful of matcha if you're caffeine sensitive: Ounce for ounce, it has almost as much caffeine as coffee.
- To rev up a hot homemade latte, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon of the powder.
- For a quick summer cooler, blend 1 1/2 teaspoon with a cup of milk and some ice cubes.
Now here's how to turn a simple salad into an antioxidant-rich antiaging meal.
Medically reviewed in July 2019.
