My So- called Superfoods

I am a believer in many things but I am not a believer in superfoods, and many medical professionals and nutritionists are coming out and debunking the myth of the superfood. These are foods which wellness bloggers tell us come from exotic lands far away, are unbelievably rich in nutrients, and are said to have miracle healing/weight loss/skin clearing powers. You’ll have heard by now that superfoods include kale, papaya, quinoa, chia seeds, tahini, goji berries, acai etc. And while I love these healthy foods, I don’t believe for one second they will turn you into a vision of pure health.

Now there are obviously certain nutrients which we need, and others which will make a big difference to our wellbeing, and particular foods which are especially dense in these nutrients. Just like the humble sweet potato, which contains 400% of your daily Vitamin A needs, along with Vitamin C and more, and happens to grow easily in hot climates; hence why certain programs in sub- Saharan Africa are introducing super orange (and super vitamin rich) sweet potatoes to help solve child malnutrition. Now, I would say this is a bit of a miracle. But calling kale a superfood in the hope your middle class self will be ‘super healthy’ or ‘super human’ is deluded and full of all kinds of unchecked privilege. 

So in defiance of wellness gurus' use of the term ‘superfood’ and in a bid to reclaim its meaning, I give you my very own superfoods.

Clipper’s snore and peace Tea…this beverage gets it’s ‘super’ status from its amazing ability to have you nodding off in a jiffy, even on the most restless, agitated nights. Don’t drink and drive, kids.

Cashew Nuts…picture this: you’ve just got home from work and you know dinner won’t be ready for at least half an hour, but you’re majorly hangry. Meet your super cool new best friends. A handful of nuts will have you feeling yourself again in no time. Almonds are just as super as they have the President’s seal of approval.

Dried Mango…if you’re always on the verge of giving in to offers of snickers left right and centre, look no further. Dried mango has the power to satisfy your sugar cravings, with its super natural sugars. It is the perfect snack for long journeys, and will make you feel superior to everyone else.

Dark chocolate…this super delicious treat makes you feel like a goddess of luxury and even more amazingly is dairy free, vitamin rich and good for concentration.

Canned coconut Milk…this hidden gem’s super power is the ability to make any old soup exciting; if it’s looking lacklustre, coconut milk will thicken it up, if you’ve gone overboard on the spice front, coconut milk will cool it down and refresh your poor senses.

Frozen berries…what is more super than the killer combo of cheap, healthy, and convenient? Frozen berries are perfect to add to a summer lemonade in place of ice cubes, mixed into your morning porridge, or cooked in a homemade crumble. 

Which foods are super to you?

The Graduate's guide #2: Freshers

Your first week at Uni can be really overwhelming and a bit of a sensory overload. Here’s a short do’s and don’ts list from someone who’s been through it and made it out the other side.

1.    Say Yes…to parties, breakfast, societies, pre-drinks, fancy dress, pizza.

2.    Be brave…Freshers only happens once and you don’t want to go into your first semester having missed out. Go crazy while you can. That being said, don’t feel pressured to do anything you know you don’t feel comfortable with or will have long term consequences. If it isn’t your thing Freshers doesn’t last forever- you will make it to the other side!

3.    Take photos of everything…you’re likely to have large chunks of freshers which you have no recollection of, so take photos at every opportunity. Laughing at them in the morning with your new friends is a great way of bonding!

4.    Fill your room with reminders of home…I suffered horrible home sickness out of the blue in freshers, and I think it’s because I didn’t make my room homely enough from the get go. I sort of half-heartedly finished it as the week went on. If I could do it all again, I would get my room looking cosy and perfect with help from the ‘rents before they leave. You don’t want to end up crying in what is ultimately a prison cell, trust me.

5.    Remember everyone really is in the same boat…everyone feels nervous and a bit overwhelmed at least once during their first few weeks at Uni (some are just better at hiding it) and everyone will ‘admit’ it weeks, months or years later. So no matter how long it takes you to settle, don’t suffer in silence!

6.    Find your flatmates before you arrive…most Uni’s by now will have facebook pages for each hall/accommodation so you can find your new flatmates. It’s so great to recognise people’s faces when you walk through the doors, and to know you’re not going into the complete unknown. You may even be bezzies before you meet.

7.    Have your wildest nights sooner rather than later…most people actually have stuff to do, places to be, and important people to meet in the first week after freshers. So at least give yourself Sunday to recover. You don’t want to be that person who throws up in the first lecture.