Super Foods and Your RAW DietSuper foods are foods that are said to have more nutrients and unique properties than typical foods. They've been described as foods with a high phytonutrient content.
Although these foods are wonderful for you, don't feel like you NEED to have them in your diet. If they're available and you want them, then that's great. But if it's out of your budget or you can't find them, I wouldn't worry about it.
Don't stress over the fact that an apple isn't as "good" as a blueberry. (I'm not saying this is true, just giving an example!) Focus on the fact that you're eating a delicious apple and it IS good for you! If you do choose to incorporate some of these super foods into your diet, it can be done pretty easily. Smoothies and shakes are probably the easiest way to do that. Wraps and pates' are also a fairly easy way to incorporate them. It all depends on the flavor of the food and what you're making.
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Most fruit have only one to three antioxidant compounds, but the acai fruit has sixteen known compounds! Antioxidants are important because they protect our bodies from disease.
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Unfortunately, Acai are grown in the Amazon and have a very short life span.
So... if you're not from the Amazon, you'll probably never taste the actual berry!
The pulp can be (and is) frozen and shipped to other countries. A lot of juice bars now sell Acai smoothies, so if you live near a juice bar, take advantage of this Super Food!
Cacao - The cacao bean grows inside large pods that sprout from the trunk of a tree. The pods contain from 20-60 seeds or beans in it.
According to David Wolfe, Co-Author of Naked Chocolate, cacao is the "Best Natural Food Source of the Following Nutrients:
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Chromium
- Anandamide
- Theobromine
- Antioxidants
Kelp - Kelp (or seaweed) is found in ocean "forests" where the water is clear and shallow. Kelp is rich in potassium, iron, iodine, B6, riboflavin, and fiber.
- Increased energy
- Suppression of AIDS symptoms
- Helps fight heart disease and cancer
- Improves liver function
- Reduces arthritic pain
- Boosts immune system
- Absorbs and eliminates heavy metal contaminates from the body
- Helps improve digestion
Kelp can be bought dried, granulated, or as a powder. It's one of the more "savory" super foods. It can be added to savory smoothies, soups, or used for flavoring in your salad. It's also a good salt substitute.
Goji Berries (a.k.a. Wolfberries) - Goji Berries are said to be a great anti-aging food! As we age, our bodies production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) decreases.
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Goji Berries taste like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. They're sweet with a little tartness.
These can be easily added to smoothies or any number of raw desserts for both nutrients and flavor!
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Maca - is a root vegetable that looks similar to a turnip. It comes from the Andes of Peru. Maca is great for increasing strength and stamina.
it's libido enhancing properties!
Spirulina - Spriulina is a blue-green algae.
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What makes Spirulina so special is it's pigments. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycocyanin are the pigments contained in Spirulina that help synthesize the enzymes that regulate the bodies metabolism.
Spirulina can be added to smoothies or taken in tablet form. It's a whole food so it can be taken alone or with a meal.
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