First Date? Business Meeting? Photo Shoot? Proceed with Caution with These 5 Superfoods

We often talk about what foods to bring into our daily diet because of their superfood status. However, there are some health foods that may have their drawbacks when eaten in the presence of, um, someone you want to impress. 

We are not afraid to admit it. YES we have both been oblivious victims of the “green-toothed” smile or unwelcome digestive disturbance that occurs as a result of eating one of the five chosen foods below. That being said, we’ve come up with our list of 5 superfood faux pas and what to watch out for.

And the winners are . . .

1. CHIA SEEDS
   Why we love em’: These versatile little seeds pack in fiber, protein, omega 3 fats and several minerals in just one small serving.  Chia seeds absorb up to 10-12 times their weight in water! This lends perfectly to breakfast puddings and desserts. They also make a great egg substitute (simply mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water until gels).
   Watch out!  These little buggers often get caught in your teeth (think poppy seed bagels).
   Quick fix: Opt for ground chia vs the whole seeds.
2. LEAFY GREENS
   Why we love em’: One of the most nutrient dense foods out there, just 1 cup of leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and chard delivers more than your daily need of Vitamins A, C and K.  They also provide you with a good amount of much needed minerals and antioxidants, as well as the cancer fighting substances sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol.
   Watch out! So, we’ve all been there . . . having a conversation with someone who has a piece of green stuck in their teeth.  You lose track of what they are saying as you decide whether to let them know about it or just keep quiet.  We’d hate for your date or potential business affiliate to miss what you are saying while they are weighing on this important decision of whether to tell you about the green goodness in your beautiful smile.
   Quick fix: Have a pocket mirror on hand or be sure to excuse yourself for a quick trip to the bathroom after eating (toothpick comes in handy).
3. GORGEOUS GREEN SMOOTHIES
   Why we love em’: If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know we love our green smoothies.  What a great way to start the day, packed with nutrients and energy!  We love bringing new additions into our smoothies:  Supergreens – check! Healthy fats – check!  Our latest –  Vital Proteins  – check!
   Watch out! The concern here is what we call the green smoothie smile.  If you’ve had green smoothie, you know what we’re talking about.  You drink your smoothie, feel energized and proud of yourself for nourishing your body, and then pass by a mirror and see that notorious green mustache.  Very cute if you are at home or at the gym with your like minded friends, but best to hold off when you want to be taken seriously.
   Quick fix: Use a straw!
4. GARLIC 
   Why we love em’: Did you know how healthy garlic is for you?  While it also has some vitamins and minerals, it also has something called allicin (not to be confused with Alison – love that song, by the way), which is where most of its health benefits come from.  Garlic has been found to boost the immune system, contains antioxidants, and may even help prevent bone loss (1).
   Watch out! While we know that garlic keeps the vampires away, we don’t want garlic breath to keep those all important business deals away as well.
   Quick fix: Can’t resist? Chewing on some parsley or sucking on a lemon or minty spices may help neutralize the aroma.
5. BEANS 
   Why we love em’: Beans are a powerhouse of nutrients. Not only are they a good source of protein, they also boast healthy amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, B vitamins and perhaps most famously – fiber. They are wonderful in soups, stews, salads, and chili.
   Watch out! We all know the famous saying beans, beans, the marvelous fruit, the more you eat the more you . . . well, you know.
   Quick fix: To cut down on the gas from beans there are a few options. If starting with dry beans (which are usually the easiest to digest if prepared correctly), soak the beans overnight, throw away the water and when you are cooking them, bring them to a boil and skim the foam that comes up.  When using canned beans (hopefully BPA free) or those from a carton, be sure to rinse the beans really well before cooking.  Whether starting with dry or precooked beans, toss in a 2 -3 inch piece of seaweed such as Kombu to make the beans more digestible.  You could also add some spices to the water – spices such as fennel, cumin, coriander or ginger as these spices are known to enhance digestion.

Have an embarrassing story to share that involves one of the five superstar foods? Please share!

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16619371