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buddha belly bites: food for the soul: So Why Raw Foods?

buddhabellybites:

I’ve had a few people ask me some questions about raw foods lately, so I thought I’d answer some of the most common queries as much as I can. I’ve done a lot of my own research on this topic though I’m not a nutritionist so I encourage you to do your own research too; there’s so much information…

(Source: buddhabellybites)

superfoods

SUPERFOODS

 Kale (and family)
Brassica vegetables such as kale, collard greens, arugula, brussel sprouts and broccoli rabe, contain a potent glucosinate phytonutrient which increases the secretion ofyour body’s detoxification enzymes, sweeping potentially carcinogenic substances from your body rapidly. Those who eat the most cruciferous vegetables drop their cancer risk by 49%. Kale is also thought to ease lung congestion. It also increases your body’s absorption of calcium.

Maca Powder 
Ground into a fine powder and used for medicinal purposes, this native Bolivian and Peruvian root vegetable has a 500 year old reputation for enhancing strength and stamina, normalizing hormones, heightening libido and fertility, and in men, improving semen quality. The root has a unique nutritional profile, which provides optimum levels of nutrients to be utilized by the body’s endocrine or gland system – responsible for secreting hormones which regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism and mood. Remember: The powder is potent: begin with small doses and build up as necessary. Listen to your body!

Wild Salmon (and friends) 
High in vitamins B (for stress) and D (for happiness), plus two types of omega-3s (making it the most super of its friends), wild salmon is brain food particularly for developing babies, as well as for adults, whose brains contain over 60% fat. The omega-3 fatty acids promote the regulation of attention, memory, and mood-related signals sent by the brain. Good for your eyes, your heart, and your joints too: Omega-3s are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Go for wild-caught salmon rather than farm-raised: the latter have ten times the amount of chlorinated pesticides, dioxins and PCBs than those caught wild.

Raw Cacao 
Cacao, the origin from which chocolate, cocoa butter and cocoa solids are made, contains a high level of antioxidant flavonoids, shown to be beneficial to human cardiovascular health. In fact, cacao has up to four times the antioxidants found in green tea, and beats both blueberries and red wine in oxidant-killing quality. The best thing about cacao? The presence of phenethylamine, a feel good neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of love; tryptophan and serotonin, both powerful mood boosters. Make a cup of cocoa with raw cacao, raw honey, almond or soy milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon, rather than reaching for that box of chocolates.

Goji Berries 
Goji berries may be tiny, but they’re powerhouses in the face of free-radicals. Rich in carotenoids including beta carotene and zeaxanthin (both of which protect the retina of the eye and improve eye sight) they boast an army of antioxidants, helping to boost the immune system and protect the liver and kidneys. Other A-list qualities include fatigue-prevention, weight loss, fertility enhancement, improved circulation, and reduction of blood pressure. They also contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the pituitary gland to release Human Growth Hormone or HGH, the papa hormone that regulates all the others, also thought to reverse the effects of aging.

Apple Cider Vinegar 
Known as a fermented food from the same club as kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, miso, kombucha and kefir, apple cider vinegar is an easy and inexpensive detoxification ally. Enzyme rich and alive with happy micro-organisms, fermented foods contain friendly life-giving bacteria which support overall digestive health. In particular, apple cider vinegar helps strengthen the immune system, control weight, promote good digestion, balance blood pH levels, and remove toxic sludge from the body. Applied externally it soothes irritated skin and relieves achy muscles. Add a generous splash to your water bottle and sip throughout the day.

Whole Grain Oats 
The humble whole-grain oat contains powerful nutrients, antioxidants and phytonutrients. The cloak (or oat bran), is rich in soluble fiber or beta-glucan, which when ingested, dissolves into a thick, viscous gel, moving slowly throughout your body, keeping you fuller for longer. Beta-glucan also slows the absorption of glucose (or sugar) into your body, helping to avoid energy peaks and troughs. Weapons also hiding in the oat-cloak include B-vitamins and protein. The middle layer orendosperm is where carbohydrates dwell, whilst the germ, or inner layer is nutrient-packed with more B-vitamins, vitamin E, and other phytochemicals.

Sweet Potato 
For 90 calories per sweet potato, you are getting an arsenal of nutrients when choosing this root. Supercharged with high levels of beta-carotene (four times the recommended daily intake when eaten with the skin on) one sweet potato  provides five times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, whilst being loaded with potassium: an electrolyte-balancing, fluid-maintaining, heart-helping, blood-pressure stabilizing mineral. Cup for cup, sweet potatoes have also been found to have as much fiber as oatmeal, and a are a low-calorie source of vitamin E.

Cinnamon 
Studies have shown that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, stabilizing blood-sugar spikes, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes. Just half a teaspoon per day can lower LDL cholesterol and prevent blood-clots. The Copenhagen University found that when taken every morning with honey for one week before breakfast, half a teaspoon of cinnamon also reduced arthritis pain in patients, who after one month found they could walk again without pain. Cinnamon is also a natural preservative which inhibits bacterial growth in food, and is a great source of fiber, iron and calcium.

Beans 
Beans are one of the oldest recorded foods in history. Due to them being a protein-starch combination, cook them with ginger, bay-leaf or seaweed kombu to reduce the gaseous qualities of the beans, while replacing some of the mineral content destroyed through heating. Black turtle beans help support the kidneys and reproductive organs, act as a diuretic and lessen the effects of urinary problems. Cannellini beans are thought to be beneficial to the lungs and increase the elasticity and vibrancy of the skin.  Inexpensive, filling, and life-giving, beans maintain their 5000 year old VIP (or should I say VIB) status.

Eggs 
One egg contains 75 calories and 13 essential nutrients, including folate and choline, minerals which assist with brain and memory development, plus iron and zinc. The yolk contains more of the eggs’ vitamins than the white does, which means you’re losing out on your iron, zinc, vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid by choosing an egg-white omelette over poached eggs cooked in water. All of the eggs vitamins D, A, E and K are in the yolk. High-quality protein such as eggs helps healthy adults build muscle strength, as well as preserve lean-muscle tissue. Keep eggs refrigerated to prevent quality loss, as egg quality deteriorates quickly at room temperature.

Bee Pollen 
Sometimes added to raw honey, or sold in pill or granulated form, bee pollen has been deified ‘the perfect food’ by some. This is because it contains 96 different nutrients – yes, 96 – including every single nutrient that is needed to sustain human life. Bee pollen comprises 40% protein, 22 amino acids, vitamins C, B-complex, folic acid, enzymes and carotene, as well as a number of trace elements that the body is unable to manufacture but requires in order to remain healthy: such as iron, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Scientists have been unable to create synthetic bee pollen, when they did create a replicate and attempted to feed it to worker bees, those bees died within a week.

Matcha Green Tea 
Widely considered as the healthiest of all teas available to earth-bound humans. Matcha green tea is a fine emerald green tea powder, made from the youngest (whole) leaves harvested early in Japan. The massive quantities of vitamins and antioxidants in matcha (nearly 10 times the amount of polyphenols and antioxidants compared to other green teas) can greatly assist in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. Three major components promoting fat loss; catechins, caffeine and theanine, prevent fat from being stored in the body, inhibiting an enzyme which synthesizes fatty acids into the form at which the body stores them. The presence of L-theanine in green tea powder can increase mental alertness, relieve stress, and promote tranquility.

By Sophie Ward