If chips are way down on your list of things you should be eating, and you are looking for foods that will wake you up, and boost your health, read on...

Opinion varies as to whether superfoods are actually a ‘thing’ in terms of your health and vitality. Broadly-speaking, superfoods as we know them, are defined as those containing a dense concentration of vital nutrients, vitamins and/or minerals, antioxidants, good fats, healthy enzymes. Lists on the web vary, but several foods (and drinks) feature on nearly every one. So, look out for these when shopping or going out for a meal.

Blueberries
Nutrients: vitamin K, vitamin C, fibre, manganese and other antioxidants (notably anthocyanins).
Alleged benefits: Protect against heart disease and some cancers, improve memory.
Loved by: Nutritionists are often heard saying that, if you do nothing else, adding a handful of blueberries to your day will pay off hugely.

Goji berries
Nutrients: Vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin A, iron, selenium and other antioxidants (notably polysaccharides).
Alleged benefits: Boost the immune system and brain activity, protect against heart disease and cancer, improve life expectancy.
Loved by: Madonna and Miranda Kerr and used in Chinese medicine for more than 6,000 years.

Chocolate
Nutrients: Iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and zinc, plus antioxidants catechins and procyanidins.
Alleged benefits: Cancer-protection and stress-relief.
Loved by: Just about everyone! But beware, the healthy version is the low-sugar, high coca-bean version, not chocolate eggs…

Oily fish
Nutrients: Vitamin D, protein, some B vitamins and selenium. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Alleged benefits: Protects against cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, age-related vision loss and dementia.
Loved by: Your gran, on toast.

Other foods that make the ‘superfood’ cut on most websites are: wheatgrass, pomegranate juice, green tea, broccoli, garlic and beetroot. The  NHS Website is a reliable source of information on all the above – or for a more authoritative approach, try the British Dietetics Association .

And, finally, for a wealth of recipes that use these, other commonly-thought-of superfoods (eg avocadoes), and other ingredients you may have cluttering up your fridge, visit BBC Good Food and search by ingredient.

Alternatively, if you don’t fancy spending time in the supermarket or kitchen, see our blog ‘ Healthy eating out in Brighton and Hove ’ for ideas of places to eat out,

Now, what is wheat-grass again??

Mary Kalmus