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7 fun and creative ways to use your superfood powders (functional foods)

10 min read time May 20, 2024

Description

Description

From simple to extraordinary, superfoods and functional food powers provide versatility to create endless exciting options for their uses and applications.

While the terms ‘superfood powders’ and ‘functional food powders’ are often used interchangeably, these foods are touted for delivering an exceptional level of nutrient density, which is just one of their many impressive purposes.

Superfoods, Functional food, and Functional superfoods

It is important to understand not only the definition and characteristics of what is known as superfoods but also how they compare to a more critical term; “functional food.”

Please note there are no legal definitions for either of these terms.

Functional food is defined as dietary items that provide nutrients and energy that may modulate multiple targeted bodily functions by supporting specific physiological responses.

For example, fermented dairy products are functional foods that offer essential probiotic bacteria for restoring gut health.
Alternatively, a superfood is a food rich in compounds considered beneficial to a person's health. It contains a very high nutritional density and a meager calorie count.

While the definition of these terms seems similar, there are intrinsic details that separate them.

Functional foods are the most intensely researched category, with the intent to understand better how their unique compounds can support well-being by possibly modulating specific mechanisms of action.

Therefore, it is critical to understand that berries fall under aspects of both definitions, making them “functional superfoods.”

Whether best defined as superfoods or functional foods, today, we will discuss some of these powdered foods' most unique uses and why they can often be better choices than the fresh version of that food. And, certainly, most if not all of these foods could be far better as compared to the many highly processed and colorfully-packaged options found in most grocery stores.

From camping, emergency food storage, creating a healthier version of comfort food favorites, and recreating palate-pleasing textures and flavor profiles, the options of functional food powders are only limited to your creativity. We promise you won’t find any boring smoothie recipes in this article.

To properly discuss this topic, let's begin by reviewing some of the positive attributes of food powders. There are six primary advantages to creating and using powered functional foods:

They create the closest end product when presenting a whole food complex.
They create a food product closest to the smell, taste, and texture of the fresh version of a food.
They allow you to customize your needs when creating a product. For example, freeze-dried foods can be left whole, chopped, or milled into a powder, all of which will still offer the nutritional value that comes from the fresh version.
Air-drying specific foods helps better retain cellular texture and create a better mouthfeel.
The end product allows for greater versatility and long-term storage.
Low heat filtration allows for creating a food product that those with specific food intolerances may now be able to use, such as whey protein isolate vs concentrate.

Now, let's explore some fun and creative ways to use these deliciously nourishing food powders.

How to use functional food powders

1) Emergency Food Storage

In our current times, with more extreme weather events, the possibility of being trapped in the middle of nowhere, and being without modern conveniences, being prepared and more self-sufficient is a good idea.

One of the simple ways to be more self-reliant is to create an emergency food storage box for your car or home. While a long list of items like batteries, water, and medical supplies are considered vital, highly nourishing foods with a long shelf life are essential. There is no denying that nothing beats fresh, wholesome foods, but unfortunately, they do have some pitfalls. The biggest pitfall is that fresh foods don’t have a long shelf life and can quickly lose nutritional value.

Storing fresh food at the appropriate temperature is also an equally important issue. We understand that you want something easy to use, highly nourishing, and a simple solution to what otherwise may be a complex issue.

Therefore, preparing a functional food kit with essential ingredients can give you the assurance that you will get the nourishment you need in times of disaster.

For more information about our Emergency Food Storage products, go here:

Emergency Food Storage

2) Camping

Anything can happen when you go out into the wilderness, so being prepared is essential, and powdered functional foods are an easy way to be ready to support your nutritional needs.

Having nutrient-dense functional food blends like our Ultimate 25 Superfusion or Optimum 30 is a simple way to ensure you get the energy you need for long adventures in nature.

If you are more of a carb loader, our banana flakes or goji, golden, and mulberry mix are great snacks, or if you are a keto kind of person, then a handful of cacao butter wafers should do the trick to give you the perfect energy source from quality fats. The options are endless.

One of the pleasures of camping is catching and grilling your food on an open fire, but who doesn’t love camping comfort foods like mac-and-cheese? This is why it is essential to have simple and sustainable ingredients like our white cheddar, butter, or heavy cream powders to ensure those comfort foods are extra creamy, rich, and filling so you don’t go to bed hungry.

Finally, the expression “There is no place like home” is often applied to the idea that when we are away for an extended period, we miss home's simple comforts.

One of those comforts is a delicious cup of hot coffee. Because weather and nature can be pretty unpredictable, having something warm, nourishing, and familiar makes your camping trip much more special. A hot cup of our instant mushroom coffee blend is the perfect way to start your day, warm your body, and nourish your immune system. Adding one of our nourishing powdered creamers will simply take it to the next level.

If you are not a coffee person, then one of our various bone broth powders will do the trick for optimal nourishment.

For more information about our Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion, go here:

Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion

3) Taking the average cup of Java and making it into something extraordinary

Picture this: you are in the middle of a fast-paced workday and need your cup of java to kick things up a notch. As much as you love a freshly brewed cup of black coffee, you know deep down inside that it might just not be enough.

You seek nourishment to help you reach the next level without the crash. So, you walk into your workplace kitchen and see the usual boring choices. Unfortunately, none provide you with the nourishing qualities and tonic benefits you seek. Let’s face it: going to your local “coffee house” can be expensive and time-consuming and produce a high chance of consuming ingredients you know will be counterproductive for the desired result.

Then, it dawns on you that the answer is in the top drawer of your desk. You take that fresh, hot cup of java, run back to your desk, open the top drawer, and see it in all its glory.

You grab that Z Natural Foods Vitality Blend Coffee Creamer bag, and at that very moment, you know your problem has been resolved. It is no secret that the creamy deliciousness comes alive once you add two teaspoons to your coffee. This is nourishment to the max.

Having a bag of this vitality blend in your office or car is a simple and easy solution to an expensive and time-consuming problem. Now, you can take an average cup of coffee and make it extraordinary.

To review all of our Superfood Blends, go here:

Superfood Blends

4) A replacement for Isolated supplements

Back in the 1860s, there was the expression, ”Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”

Over the years, the expression has evolved to “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Both expressions were right on the money, as wholesome foods can be a powerhouse of nourishment. For many years, we have been seeing a transition in the food supplement market to more whole-food-based formulas.

Some common ingredients almost always found in these formulas are blueberries and carrots. You may think this is because of carrots' beta carotene content. However, with the wide variety of different-colored carrots, this tasty root vegetable provides nourishment from the entire carotenoid family.

Carotenoids are a class of red, orange, or yellow fat-soluble pigments produced by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. There are more than 600 types of carotenoids (some of the most common include alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, and beta-cryptoxanthin), all with unique attributes that are researched for their ability to take on antioxidant-like qualities potentially. Carotenoids are classified into two primary groups: Xanthophylls (primarily protect from too much sunlight, contain oxygen, more yellow pigment, and are associated with nourishing the eyes), which closely associate with green leafy vegetables, and Carotenes (have no oxygen and are associated with orange pigment).
Anthocyanins are a part of the flavonoid family of polyphenolic compounds. They represent the pigments that exhibit the bright red, purple, and blue colors found in fruits and vegetables. The six most common are Cyanidins, Delphinidins, Malvidins, Peonidins, Petunidins, and Pelargonidins.

Dried whole-food powders are an excellent alternative to isolated supplements as they provide the complex whole-food matrix the body can use.

5) Gylcogen replenishment

Whether you are an athlete or live in a place with unforgiving weather, it is not uncommon for you to work harder and deplete your glycogen storage.

Glycogen is a polysaccharide that forms glucose and is deposited into the body as a stored form of carbohydrates. It is primarily used to help your liver regulate blood sugar. It also helps with muscle activity because your liver breaks down glycogen to maintain blood glucose as your working muscles use it for energy.

Stored glycogen is the excess glucose not needed immediately and is stored in the liver and muscle cells for later use. However, after 12-24 hours of fasting, liver glycogen storage is almost entirely depleted.

The amount of glycogen stored in your liver varies depending on certain factors.

How many carbohydrates do you consume
The length of time between your meals
The intensity and duration of physical activity

Banana flakes are an easy solution to help restore depleted glycogen levels as they provide a quick and easily digestible source of carbohydrates.

6) Improving flavor and texture profile

One factor most people consider essential when consuming food is taste.

Let's face it; no one wants to eat something that tastes horrible. When used correctly, changing the flavor of a dish is where many of these functional food powders have unlimited potential. For example, apple powders' mildly sweet flavor may enhance a bland or unappealing food or recipe and provide your palate with just enough, but not too much. Add it to any dessert or smoothie to increase nutritional value, and as a natural sweetener, it supports a well-balanced flavor profile.

Functional foods powders can support or enhance flavor profiles in many creative ways. For example, apple or carrot powder can be used in sausage or meat dry rubs; they provide the perfect hint of sweetness and prevent the sausage from drying out. In simple terms, these various powders can enhance or tone down almost anything you add them to.

Banana flakes are an absolute superstar in terms of their ability to enhance texture in several ways.

First, they are a great substitute as a thickening agent. Their gelatinous nature(due to their pectin and soluble fiber content) makes them a perfect addition to milkshakes, smoothies, puddings, or anything you want to create a thicker consistency.
Next, when you remember your childhood, you always have fond memories of sweet treats made by your grandma. Once you entered her home, the smell of freshly baked cookies hit your nose like an angry, aggressive rhino. After giving her a big hug and kiss, you ran straight for the cookie jar, and when you pulled a cookie out, it was a sight of perfection. You took that first bite, and you knew life could not get any better at that moment. Of course, it was delicious because it was made with love, but the palate-pleasing crunch from that perfectly golden brown cookie put a smile on your face. With every chew and crunch, your mouth was salivating and wanting more.

Banana flakes are a simple way to aggressively change the texture of any dish that lacks the essential “crunch appeal.” For an even more straightforward suggestion, sprinkle them on top of yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, or anything else you want to elevate the texture to the next level.

For more information about our Organic Banana Flakes, go here:

Organic Banana Flakes

7) Create the perfect blend for your specific needs

If you are experienced with using functional food powders, you already know that most premade formulas are created for the masses. In simple terms, it was not made specifically for you.

This is not to say that it won’t be highly effective, but it won’t be as effective as if it was specific to your needs. A company's most complex challenge is to make a formula that works for everyone on some level and ensures that it puts you on the correct path to good health. This goal is often accomplished by having a wide range of ingredients that cover all aspects of a specific health concern.

For example, if a company wants to create a sleep formula that will positively affect everyone who takes it, it is essential to have herbs from each area that may affect healthy sleep patterns. So, having sedatives, nervines, anxiolytics, analgesics, and antispasmodics in the formula would ensure that this formula will have a positive effect regardless of why the person is having sleep issues. No one knows your needs better than you do.

Therefore, take the time to understand what works best for you and create personal blends for daily use that will allow you to live the life you deserve. Don’t just survive, THRIVE.

In conclusion, while it is true that eating a powder version is not the same as eating fresh food, the idea that we can’t replace fresh food with a powder to nourish our body is simply untrue.

As stated throughout this article, the powdered version has many significant advantages, with nutrient density and versatility among the many positive attributes. These attributes are critical when applying their limitless applications.