Super Foods Rx Diet

All foods are not created equal: just ask anybody who's had to choose between a fast-food hamburger and a green salad. Dr. Steven Pratt took this idea a step further in 2003 with the release of his book "Superfoods Rx." This book claims that, just like some foods are extraordinarily bad for people, other foods are extraordinarily good. By eating a diet composed primarily of superfoods, Pratt claims, you can greatly improve your health.

The Original 14

Pratt's book named 14 foods as extraordinarily healthful: beans, blueberries, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin, wild salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, turkey, walnuts and yogurt.

New Superfoods

Since the release of "Superfoods Rx," Dr. Pratt's team has conducted research identifying new superfoods. As of 2010, the list of superfoods posted on Dr. Pratt's website has grown to 25. The 11 new superfoods include apples, avocado, cinnamon, dark chocolate, dried fruits, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, honey, kiwi, onions and pomegranates. The new list also replaces yogurt with low-fat yogurt.

Sidekicks

"Superfoods Rx" named companion foods for each of the 14 main supefoods. These sidekick foods give the same benefits as the main superfood, only less efficiently or in smaller quantities. For example, the sidekick foods for pumpkin included carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and orange bell peppers. Sidekicks for wild salmon included Alaskan halibut, canned albacore tuna, sardines, herring, trout, sea bass, oysters and clams. The SuperFoods Rx website lists sidekicks for each of the new superfoods, such as pears to go with apples and plums as a sidekick for pomegranates.

Prepackaged Products

The SuperFoods Rx website offers a handful of products to help customers include superfoods in their diets. As of 2010, these include nutritional supplements, chocolate bars and frozen pizza.

Incorporating Superfoods

"Superfoods Rx" and the website both include recipes and full menu plans to help you incorporate superfoods into your diet. Those new to superfoods can choose at what level they wish to incorporate the superfoods concept. You can go all in, changing your entire diet to a superfoods-compliant plan, or you can simply increase how often you include superfoods in your regular menu. The nutritional benefits in superfoods give some benefit even in small quantities.