If you’re not sipping an acai and kale superfood smoothie and throwing back a double shot of matcha, followed by an ACV (apple cider vinegar, duh) chaser every morning, like, what are you doing with your life?

*insert eyeroll as big as an Instagram mega-influencer following*

With new “superfoods” and fad diets popping up on the daily, it can be near impossible to keep up with the hype. Even worse, it seems like two minutes later there’s evidence that the latest crown jewel is actually a cheap knock-off. So how are we supposed to navigate the moguls of the new food landscape? Read on for my take on “superfood” or “super hype”.

Acai Bowls

These Amazonian berries are all the rage with the smoothie bowls trend. While they have high amounts of inflammation-fighting antioxidants, the issue is that pure acai is quite bitter. And to maintain its nutrient level and make the voyage to the U.S., acai berries need to be ground up or frozen within 24 hours of being harvested.

Often, this process includes mixing in loads of sugar. Those frozen packets of acai? Check out the second ingredient: sugar. And that dried acai powder? It’s usually being blended with sweetened almond milk at your favorite smoothie shop and drizzled with honey. Not to mention, acai bowls are never complete without sugary toppings like granola, more berries, coconut flakes, etc.

In fact, one of the popular acai bowls has 67g of sugar! That’s 2-3 times the amount you should have in a DAY. Yes, a whole day, according to the American Heart Association.

Verdict: SUPER FAD

Chia Seeds

Remember those clay figurine Chia Pets that sprouted grass-like fur (maybe I’m showing my age here)? Those same chia seeds are being popularized for their ability to energize and keep you full due to ample amounts of fiber, protein and omega-3’s.

The tiny seeds expand when added to wet ingredients and are commonly used in smoothies, sprinkled on top of yogurt or oatmeal, or used to create chia pudding by adding the seeds to nut milk (one of my favorites is this PUMPKIN CHIA PUDDING).

While these little bundles are quite nutrient-dense, there are still limited studies to prove that continued use leads directly to weight loss, if that’s your end goal. However, they contain all nine essential amino acids that our body needs, but cannot make, to build muscle. That’s a big woo-hoo for plant-based protein!

Verdict: SUPERFOOD

Coconut Oil/Butter

Consuming fat is back in vogue and as a result, we’ve seen the proliferation of avocado toasts and coconut butter “bombs” deemed as “healthy” sweet treats, especially for those following the keto diet.

But ACCORDING TO DR. ALICE H. LICHTENSTEIN, Tufts University professor of nutrition science and policy, “there’s virtually no data to support the hype” behind coconut oils and butter. In fact, coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which is linked to high cholesterol and heart disease. Refined, bleached and deodorized (R.B.D.) versions are so processed that many of the good essential fatty acids and antioxidants are destroyed, such as lauric acid (a medium chain fatty acid that raises good H.D.L. cholesterol).

However, less processed versions like virgin coconut oil may not have the same harmful effects, despite still being high in saturated fat.

Verdict: SUPER FAD

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I dip you dip we dip…for vegan chocolate avocado mousse. Droppin’ strawberries like it’s a bad habit into this sweet treat with the rich flavors of  @navitasorganics cacao. Try to stop at one dip. I triple dog dare ya. Get the dEATs below!

So here’s the deal, no need to count those dips with this little delight. The base of the mousse is healthy fats like avocado and coconut cream, sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla, with a super rich chocolatey flavor derived from superfood cacao.

Hold up, chocolate is a superfood? Yes ma’am. But there’s a difference between traditional cocoa and cacao. Two different things, not a spelling error (hello, I was a journalism major).

So here’s the deal. Cacao is the purest form of chocolate, produced by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. It maintains a majority of the nutrients from the cacao beans while removing the fat (serious magic). In this whole form, it delivers an abundance of jam-packed nutrients such as magnesium, flavanoids (antioxidants that support the immune system), iron and phenylethylamine (PEA) – often called the “love drug” since it boosts mood and energy levels. Yes, please.

Cocoa looks like same, but don’t be fooled. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that been roasted at high temperatures, reducing the overall nutritional value (womp womp). In addition, many companies will add sugars to cocoa mixes, so watch those labels!

Now that you’ve discovered all the goodness of superfood cacao, dip on into this delectable mousse! P.S. Bonus points if you get the song reference from this post!

Vegan Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
– 4 large, ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
– 1 1/2 C coconut cream
– 1 1/4 C Navitas Organics cacao powder
– 1 C 100% pure maple syrup
– 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Serve immediately with fresh fruit or store in the fridge.

Happy dipping, friends!

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Feelin’ that berry bliss. Just got my delivery of @pearlbutter Pearl Butter adaptogenic coconut butters and can’t wait to play. It’s all the wonders of rich coconut butter in fun colors like this vivid blue from superfood spirulina.

Check out my unboxing video below for more dEATs!

I first discovered the wonders of coconut butter on Pinterest when hunting down the elusive unicorn – a decadent treat without the guilt-laden sugars. I was hooked after making these Turmeric Glow Bars with the rich creamy flavor of coconut atop a naturally sweet crust made of dates and shredded coconut.

Coconut butter has oodles of benefits beyond its decadence.

• It’s rich in immunity-boosting lauric acid.
• It’s loaded with healthy fats to keep you feeling full longer.
• It’s jam-packed with other goodies like amino acids, calcium and magnesium.

Hello white unicorn! Except, the fun doesn’t end there.

Pearl Butter makes a line of raw coconut butters colored with superfood adaptogens like spirulina (blue), turmeric (yellow) and papaya (pink). The flavor and color are insane!

So what exactly do you DO with coconut butter? Lots!

• Drizzle over yogurt or berries for a delightful dessert
• Spread over toast, waffles or pancakes in place of boring butter
• Add a dollop to coffee or matcha for a rich flavor that will keep hunger at bay.
• Make your smoothie into a tropical treat
• Decorate your favorite dessert

It’s playtime, friends! Check back to see what I make next!

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