If you’re new to a diet of raw food or if you are looking to incorporate more living food into your diet, these five staples are a great place to start!
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil in particular is one of the single most nutritious superfoods you can put in (and on!) your body. Eating coconut oil on a regular basis has numerous health benefits such as healthier skin and hair, lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased levels of immunity, proper digestion and metabolism. It has been shown to provide relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and other viruses.
The reason it is so effective and healthy is because of high levels of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid. The presence of these acids contributes to coconuts antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and general body nourishing properties. These fatty acids are referred to as short term medium-chain saturated fatty acids, which is a “healthy” form saturated fat compared to trans fats. Our body metabolizes these fats in the liver, immediately converting this into energy in the form of fuel for the brain and muscle function, rather than it being stored as fat.
Try using coconut oil in salad dressings and in raw desserts . It has a rich coco-nutty flavor and can also be used on your skin too!
Almonds
Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber and are an excellent source of plant-based protein. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Almonds offer plenty of good fats and anti-oxidants that help fuel your body and assist the immune system and metabolism.
Almonds do have a protective ingredient in them called phytic acid which acts as a mineral blocker and makes digestion hard work. For this reason it is most important to soak your nuts before eating them!
Almonds are incredible versatile in a raw food kitchen. Try using them to make almond milk, add to salads or use as the base for many dessert recipes.
Cacao
Cacao is one of the richest sources of anti oxidants and is the highest source of magnesium on earth. It is also high in fiber, B Vitamins, calcium and Vitamins A, C and D. Cacao improves cardio vascular health, lowers cholesterol, relaxes muscles, strengths bones and supports mental functioning.
The natural opiates in cacao have been proven to dull pain and increase energy, stamina and a sense of well being, giving you a natural lift or euphoric high.
Try using raw cacao powder in smoothies and desserts- try making your own batch of healthy chocolate that you can enjoy anytime you need an energy boost!
Green Juice and Green Smoothies
Freshly squeezed juice is full of essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and enzymes. Fresh juice is a tremendous source of phytochemicals that protect cells from damage and assimilate a greater quantity of nutrients.
Juicing greens removes the indigestible fibre and makes the nutrients more readily available to the body in much larger quantities. When you drink fresh green juice, your body is soaked in nutrients, without having to use up any of its precious energy to digest and assimilate them. It is commonly said by nutritionists and experts that if you can change only one thing in your diet and lifestyle, make that be the incorporation of a juice a day!
Green juices are the best medicine we can give our bodies, and are particularly beneficial for those who have digestive system or mal-absorption issues. Juice is easily absorbed as juicing breaks down the cell walls of fruits and vegetables so that they are pre-digested already. This means that the power-packed nutrients are getting directly into your system.
Green Smoothies are more filling and generally faster to make than juice, so they can be great to drink first thing in the morning as your breakfast, or for snacks throughout the day. Unlike juices, smoothies still contain all of the fiber from the vegetables – however, the blending process breaks the fiber apart and makes it easier to digest.
Green smoothies are a fabulous way to incorporate more green leafy vegetables into your diet in a way that is simple, quick, easy to absorb, assimilate and digest.
Green smoothies taste amazing and also help to curb cravings, uplift mood, create more energy and a desire to be healthier in all aspects of your life.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been shown to ward off Alzheimer’s disease, help to prevent cancer, reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, combat inflammatory diseases, fight colds and flu, help indigestion and weight loss, assist diabetes sufferers and more.
Cancer, malaria, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV are just a few of the ailments which turmeric is believed to help heal. It has antitumour, antioxidant, antiarthritic, antiamyloid, and anti-inflammatory properties.It is good for the skin, prevents stomach ailments, protects the liver, and heals pains and wounds. Turmeric has the potential to reduce osteoarthritis pain, help lower cholesterol, help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections, improve digestion and assist weight loss.
Tumeric has also been linked to treating depression due to its natural ability to increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in the regulation of mood, sleep, memory, learning and sexual behavior. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects important brain processes that control movement and emotional responses. Recently, dopamine has become the target of many antidepressant drugs. In addition to this specific research, people undergoing turmeric treatment for other ailments often find a decrease in their depressive episodes which demonstrates the potentiality of turmeric as an anti-depressant, and shows that it is not just a placebo.
Try adding turmeric to juices or smoothies, try having it as a hot tea with ginger, lemon and honey or try grating it fresh into salads, soups or fruit salads.