As a super busy mum, I know how hard it is to get through each day. We need lots of energy to keep our physical and mental health in tip top condition. That’s why in this article I rave about superfood supplements.
What we eat has a huge impact on how we feel, and ultimately how we cope with the world around us. But, it’s a catch-22 when it comes to busy mums who don’t have time to prepare gourmet meals three times a day. It’s for this reason, I love to pack a punch to my overall well-being with nutrient-dense power supplements that are easy to consume.
Whether you need more energy, more clarity or you just want to feel better in yourself, choosing the right superfood supplements for you could be the answer.
I'm a lover of these natural supplements that nourish our souls and generally make life easier. I've spent years trying different ones and noting the effect they have on me. I talk more about how this further down.
In this article, I take you through:
- How superfoods supplements can help us busy mums
- My favourite superfoods to get you through the day
- What to look for when buying superfoods (we don’t want to be ripped off)
- How to know if a superfood is right you (learn my easy trick)
How superfoods supplements can help us busy mums
Convenience
Food technology and biochemistry advances have made it possible for us to access superfood supplements.
Here in Australia alone, there is a growing number of homegrown companies that sell superfood supplements, including major retailers who are now investing in both research and production of the best supplements that could be possibly made.
Whether you are stay-at-home or building a career, life everyday is still as busy as it can be. Including your superfood supplements in grocery list every month can be an easy and huge boost to your health in the long run.
Nutrient dense
In order for us to absorb the sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals that our body needs and wants, we would probably have to prepare and eat a lot of meals which in turn would require a lot of effort, not to mention hazard too many calories.
Superfood supplements condense all our necessities into near zero calorie options that we can easily take with our food or a glass of water, making improved nutrition easier and more convenient for us mums.
Increased energy
Before you just want energy to be able to accomplish all your uni requirements, go to all the parties, travel, or work.
Now that you’re a mum, priorities and motivations have shifted a bit. You want to maintain energy and strength in order to run your household more efficiently, spend more time with your kids and be able to chase them around, see them grow up, and witness every milestone.
By boosting your health and supporting your bodily functions, superfood supplements can increase your energy and improve the quality of your life as a mum.
Immune support
Our immune system is dependent on various of vitamins and minerals aside to keep it strong and consistent with protecting us from irritants and diseases.
Superfood supplements make it easy for us mums to intake and absorb beneficial nutrients to keep our immune system going. Many superfood supplements that are available in Australia even condense several components into one dose or serving aready; staying healthy has never been so easy!
Improved mood and cognitive functions
Just like our immune system, our brain health needs vitamin and mineral support to function optimally. Aside from its necessary cognitive and motor functions, our brain is also responsible for our moods and emotions.
To ensure you are in the right headspace to do your thing as a super-mum all day everyday, look into superfood supplements to complement your diet and fulfil your brain health nutrition requirements
10 Great superfoods to help single mums get through the day
Probiotics
Juggling multiple tasks can lead to a weakened immune system and digestive problems, while stress and lack of sleep can negatively impact gut health.
If you sometimes get so anxious that your stomach hurts, you might need some probiotic supplements. A daily helping will boost your immune system, aid digestion, reduce stress, and increase energy.
Try this from: Kissed Earth
Omega-3
This amazing fatty acid offers so many benefits to your health. Aside from promoting heart and brain health and protecting us against several chronic conditions (we gotta stay up and running for our babies!), it also prevents depression.
The symptoms of depression often include prolonged sadness, lethargy, and a general loss of interest in life. Omega-3 also combats mum anxiety which is characterised by feelings of fear, panic, and restlessness and can be triggered by stresses wrought on by your job, relationships, or chid-rearing stressors.
Try this from: California Gold Nutrition
Spirulina
Spirulina is a staple in my arsenal of superfood supplements. If you didn't know, it's an algae that's packed with a bunch of nutrients. It has protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, copper, and iron. Plus, it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Whew!
I like adding one or two tablespoons of spirulina in my morning shakes for additional 8g of protein. I know it tastes kinda ocean-y at first, but once you get past the initial disgust, I promise you'll love this dark green powerhouse.
(Spirulina also comes in tablet form... and in blue.)
Try this from: Aussie Health
Mushroom
Mums can benefit so much from mushroom supplements. Mushrooms offer antioxidant properties, cardiovascular support, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Different kinds of mushrooms can also offer various benefits. For example, my personal favourite lion’s mane has compounds that stimulate the growth of neurons. This may not only help with our memory but may also support our mental health.
Try this from: Brain Elixir
Ashwagandha
This superfood IT GIRL really rose in popularity in 2021, and it came into my radar primarily from influencers practicing Ayurveda. It's known to aid in reducing anxiety and stress, so if you need a little (or a lot of) help to sleep, ashwagandha could be your next BFF.
(I've also heard that it improves your overall sex life by regulating women's hormones and increasing men's testosterone levels. Ask if your partner is on board with taking ashwagandha with you and see if it has an effect in the intimacy department.)
Try this from: Chemist Direct
Vitamin D
Vitamin D support so many functions in the body, mainly bone growth and remodeling, muscle contraction regulation, and glucose-to-energy conversion.
As an adult, if you lack Vitamin D, you are at risk for osteomalacia and osteporosis. You don’t want either of these if you wish to grow old and experience life with your children until well into their own adulthood and parenthood!
Try this from: Ostelin
Maca root
Of course, being a healthy and happy mum is not just all about the kids. It’s also about you and your health as a woman. Your sexual health, both with your partner and within your own reproductive system, is also very important. Thank goodness there is maca root.
This superfood is known for improving libido and reducing sexual dysfunction especially in perimenopausal women. It also helps reduce those irritating menopause symptoms, reduces blood pressure, and improves mood.
Try this from: Tropeaka
Adaptogen
There are several herbs and mushrooms that can be considered as adaptogens. Some common adaptogens are:
- Ashwagandha, known reduce anxiety and depression
- Ginseng, is famously used to combat fatigue and improve libido
- Reishi, a type of mushroom known to boost the immune system
- Rhodiola, to reduce pain, fatigue, and depression
- Schisandra, used to improve concentration, coordination and memory
Note: If you are taking medications, check with your doctor first if adaptogens are contraindicated.
Try this from: Paradise Herbs
Green powder
This popular superfood supplement has become a widespread way to help mums achieve their daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. Good green powder supplement is formulated to support your immune system and boost your energy levels as complement to a healthy diet.
Ingredients in green powders will vary by brand, but you can commonly expect nutrition from: leafy vegetables, grasses, fruits, herb extracts, and seaweed.
Try this from: Swiish
Turmeric/Curcumin
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its characteristic yellow colour.
Recently, science has started to back up traditional claims that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties. These compounds have a name: curcuminoid. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
Inflammation and oxidative damage also play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin has beneficial effects to combat this.
Try this: Zhou Nutrition
Fibre
Fibre is important to your health. Most fibre-containing foods are also great sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Just in case you didn’t know, fibre is the structural part of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, that our bodies cannot digest or break down.
Given that, fibre may also help reduce your risks for cardiovascular diseases, support your blood sugar regulation and weight control, and chase away constipation.
Try this from: Swiish
What to look for when buying superfoods
Once you finalise your list of superfood supplements, don’t forget the following things when shopping.
Buy from a reputable store
Shopping online is convenient, shopping at discount outlets feels rewarding. But when it comes to your health, you have to buy with more discernment.
This is not to say that online and discount stores are not good sources. I do advise you to check the legitimacy and reputation of the stores you buy from. Make sure they are known to sell authentic and high-quality products supplied directly by the brand manufacturers.
Get high quality ingredients
Read the label. Seriously. At first glance, some superfoods supplements seem packed with everything you need. But then at closer look, you realise that every ingredient are in such minute amounts and would hardly make any impact on your body.
Check the ingredients, the sources of these ingredients, and the amount of these ingredients. Make sure that they are sourced from organic and natural products, and you are paying for nutrient amounts that will actually be absorbed by your body.
Check the brand reputation
You will also want to look into the companies or brands that are manufacturing the superfood supplement products that you are considering. Companies that have a great reputation for consistently churning out quality products, offer great customer service, and delivering real results.
It can be easy to favour cheaper brands, and there is nothing wrong with trying to save a few dollars; you’re a mum, we are all on a budget, I totally get it. I would just like suggest to check these affordable brands’ market and consumer scores so that you won’t be cheated if they happen to actually sell low-standard products.
See what other people think (customer reviews)
Approach shopping for superfood supplements with as much caution when you are shopping for makeup or skincare. If you read a lot of blogs or watch a lot of TikTok or Youtube videos to see what other women are saying about your cosmetic products, it’s good to have the same vigilance and critical thinking towards the supplement brands you choose to put inside your body.
It will help you a lot to read reviews. Make sure these customer reviews are real, and observe what they all say in common about the product’s effects on their bodies and overall health. This will help you weigh your options and choose better.
How to know if a superfood is right you
It's important to remember that although we are all busy mums, we are built differently. This means you might have a mate who raves about a particular supplement but that doesn't necessarily mean it's right for you.
Not only should we not put stuff in our bodies that we don't need but why waste money on supplements that don't have the desired effect?
My trick is to keep a simple record of how I feel when taking a new supplement. It can be as simple as keeping a note on the back of an envelope. Twice a day, every day (lunch and dinner time work well) give yourself a score out of ten as to how you feel in relation to how the new supplement is meant to be helping you. For example, if you are taking Adaptogen in hope of improving your mental health, your score out of 10 will be based on how happy or sad you feel. Or, if you are taking Green Tea to increase your energy levels, your score out of 10 will be based on how energised you feel.
Medical advice varies regarding how long it will take to see a result but I like to test for either three-months or for as long as the first packet lasts.
You should try it! This method will clarify the effect of your new supplement, and you'll know whether to spend your precious money buying more.
Summary: Superfood supplements for busy single mums
Single mums are supermums in their own right, but it surely doesn't hurt to get a little help sometimes. If you're looking for a boost in the health department, why not consider superfood supplements?
In a dream world where money and time are not an issue, how we mums wish we can make three square meals for our family everyday, filled with all the healthy stuff nature has to offer. But since it's not possible for many of us, especially given the economy today, our next best bet are easy-to-consume and nutrient-packed tablets and powders.
Many of us have been using superfood supplements for a long time, sometimes unknowingly. I've actually been on probiotics, psyllium husks, and fish oil long before superfoods became this AU$248 billion industry. Now, there are so many different supplements for virtually any health issue you can find. Can't focus? Sluggish? Need to improve your sexual functions? There's bound to be a natural supplement for that.
However, keep in mind that not all supplements work the same way for everyone. One that works for me might have a negative or no effect on you, so practice due diligence. Find research from reputable sources. Check the brand's reputation. Look up reviews from real people.
It can also take some time before you see actual results, so don't just toss it in the trash when you don't see a difference instantly. I recommended testing it out for a few months or at least until your first starter pack runs out.
Having said that, I hope you give these superfood supplements a try. I'm sure you'll find one that perfectly fits you - like a superfood Lois Lane to you, Supermum.
