Food For Your Healing

While studying this comprehensive list of the Top 10 Healthiest Foods for Your Body that you may never have thought of, you may note that each food item falls under 1 (or more) of 3 categories: superfoods, superherbs, and raw or live foods (uncooked).

Raw or Live Foods Are Better For You!

First, it has been proven, over the last 150 years, that foods consumed raw assimilate into the body more readily.

Live foods provide the body with greater amounts of available proteins, enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and glyconutrients (essential polysaccharide sugar = good sugar) than their cooked counterparts.

Less energy is required by your digestive system to break down the live food components into usable molecules. Consequently, the food doesn’t stay in the stomach and digestive system as long, meaning there is less waste and free radical build up within your intestines and cells (cooked foods, especially meats start to putrefy in your gut).

Why Are Superfoods and Superherbs So Super?

Second, why are superfoods and superherbs so super?  They contain ‘super’ amounts of complete proteins, glyconutrients, essential fatty acids, immune boosters, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fibre, etc. Nutrient profiles of superfoods and superherbs are so great they safely exceed our daily requirements!

Interestingly, the Top 10 Healthiest Foods for Your Body come from 10 different sources.  This suggests intuitively you should choose foods from varying sources or origins, in order to consume nutrients with complimentary, well-rounded and enhanced profiles.

Here they are with specific suggestions. Add them to your smoothies, tea or salad, combine them for trail mix or snacks:

 

1. Berries

Goji Berries

Goji berries have a complete protein structure, immune stimulating polysaccharides (great for all types of

diabetes), liver cleansing betaine (protects your cells, proteins, and enzymes from toxins and dehydration), anti-aging sesquiterpenes (semiochemical protective agents found in plants & insects), superior amounts of anti-oxidants, and more than 20 trace minerals.

Incan Berries

Incan berries (also known as golden berries) contain phosphorus, vitamin A, C, P, B1, B2, B6, and are one of few plant sources containing vitamin B12. They contain 16% protein and 10 grams of fiber per serving, which is extraordinarily high for a fruit. Bioflavonoids within the berries (vitamin P) contribute antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-histamine effects. Best of all, they taste like Sour Key candies!

Acai Berries

Acai berries (powder or pulp) recently popular for their effect on weight-loss, are a strong detoxifying agent. They are very delicate and only grow naturally in the Amazon Rainforest. The deep purple pigment is what denotes high values of anti-oxidants (2x more than blueberries & 30x more than red wine!), amino acids, essential fatty acids (omega 6 & 9), vitamins, and minerals. Acai berries, high in protein and fiber, benefit ailments related to energy levels, sleep, diabetes, cancer, digestion, skin, cholesterol, aging, and mental clarity.

2. Leafy greens

Dandelion Greens, Kale, Spinach……

Dandelion greens, kale, spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli, raab, bok choy, swiss chard, watercress, and arugula are examples of leafy green vegetables. All leafy greens share a dense nutrient profile including high values of fiber, glyconutrients (those sugars that are actually good for your health), vitamins A, C, E, K (retains calcium in bones), folate (supports mental clarity), iron, calcium, magnesium, chlorophyll and carotenoids (eye support): beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The high levels of these nutrients make leafy greens one of the top 10 healthiest foods. Leafy greens contribute to the health of your heart, skin, eyes, pregnancy, aging process, and those suffering from cancer.

 

3. Seeds (& Nuts)

Raw Cacao

Raw cacao (beans, nibs, powder)… Yes! Chocolate comes from seeds within the fruit of the cacao evergreen-tree). ‘The food of the Gods’ is a source of  flavonoids, anti-oxidants, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, and B5 (pantothenic acid  synthesizes & metabolizes protein, carbohydrates & fat). Serotonin and mood-enhancing endorphins, such as phenylethylalamine and anandamide, help alleviate depression and increase focus.  Conversely, if you are looking to reduce your anxiety levels or are coping with an ailment exacerbated by stimulants, raw cacao might not be the healthiest food for you.

Hempseed

Hempseed is a complete protein, contains all your essential amino acids, and high amounts of omega 3-6-9, in proper ratios!

Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens is highly suggested for neurological disorders (Parkinson’s) and balancing cholesterol and blood sugars. It contains high amounts of L-Dopa, a precursor for dopamine that is healthy for your nerves, brain, and sexual function. It extinguishes inflammation internally, but causes inflammation and itching externally in its natural form (main ingredient in “itching powders”).

Coconut

Coconut (water, milk, oil, ‘meat’)… Yes! The parts of coconut we consume are from the seed of the coconut fruit. Known as ‘the tree of life’, coconut is suggested for its anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacteria effects, and medium fatty acid chains that help prevent high cholesterol and heart disease. Coconut oil is the healthiest food oil that doesn’t turn rancid when used at high heat. Use liberally internally or externally.

4. Seaweed & Algae

Kelp & Nori

Kelp and nori are great for your thyroid because they are rich in iodine. Additionally, seaweed contains high and readily absorbable amounts of trace minerals. Chlorella (green algae) and AFA (blue-green algae) contain the highest amounts of green pigmented chlorophyll and/or blue pigmented cyanobacteria, making them two of your healthiest food choices.

5. Sprouts & Grasses

Broccoli Sprouts, Alfalfa, Wheatgrass (juice)……

Broccoli sprouts, alfalfa, wheatgrass (juice), oat grass (30% protein), and barley grass (high in calcium, iron, vitamin C & B12) are the best of your sprout and grass choices. All sprouts are a complete protein while cereal grasses cleanse your liver and blood. They contain concentrated forms of chlorophyll and every vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and enzyme your body needs! Tip: Sprouts will taste like their mature for; e.g. broccoli sprouts will taste like broccoli, radish sprouts will be spicy like radishes!

6. Herbs

Herbs can be eaten fresh, dried and/or made into tea. Some of the healthiest herbs are horsetail (for your bones), pau d’arco (fights fungus & candida), chanca piedra (means ‘break stone’ for breaking up kidney stones & calcification deposits), camu camu berries (for lupus and fibromyalgia), and schizandra berries – The later two are not listed under ‘berries’ because they should be taken powdered in small amounts or in tea.

 

7. Fermented Foods

Sauerkraut, seed ‘cheese’, apple cider vinegar, properly cultured probiotics, yogurts, etc. contain live enzymes and bacteria that support intestinal flora, acidity levels, and digestive enzymes. Friendly bacteria and live enzymes act to push out your ‘unfriendly’ bacteria and ease strain on and production of your digestive enzymes.

8. Roots

Powedered Maca Root

Maca root (powdered) has adaptogen properties assisting your balance of stress, hormones, thyroid, and sexual energy levels. It is suggested for strength and endurance, but doesn’t make you over-stimulated or jittery. Maca’s uplifting effects, from the present sterols and alkaloids, can help you work through depression, anxiety, and lack of motivation and will power.

Ginseng

Ginseng provides energy, endurance, blood sugar maintenance, and innumerable health benefits.

9. Medicinal Mushrooms

Reishi

Reishi, ‘the plant of immortality’, is an immune system power-house.  Reishi has been used throughout China and Japan for over 4000 years to treat ailments of varying origins, from asthma to ulcers. Reishi contains amino acids (adenosine to reduce platelet aggregation in heart disease and high blood pressure), protein, riboflavin (vitamin B2), sterols (hormone precursors), vitamin C , magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, polysaccharides (anti-tumour & immune stimulant), triterpenes (compounds providing adaptogens for stress & allergies), and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Reishi increases white blood cells and killer T cells (great for HIV, hepatitis, or cancer sufferers), balances your adrenal glands (great for insomnia, depression, and stress), acts as a lung expellant (great for bronchitis), protects your liver while detoxifying your body, and is an anti-inflammatory (reducing arthritic pain & swelling).

Additional medicinal mushroom suggestions are chaga, cordyceps, maitake, and lion’s mane. You can find these mushrooms in their natural form, dried, or in combination capsules.

 

10. Bee Products

If you aren’t allergic to bee stings or pollen, bee products are one of the top 10 healthiest foods to fortify your diet. Suffer from seasonal allergies (not pollen specific)? Local honey or pollen will act as an allergen vaccine, containing minute samples of allergen-causing plants in your area – an inexpensive and nutritious allergy preventative or remedy!

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen, containing concentrated minerals, vitamins (anti-oxidant vitamins C & E; B vitamin complex gives you energy), enzymes, amino acids, trace elements, protein, and carbohydrates (55%), has been used globally for a vast array of health conditions!

Manuka

Manuka honey is a great anti-parasitic, dehydrating infectious organisms and bacteria to death; contrarily, it hydrates and soothes internal and external ulcers, lesions, and sores.

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is rich in pantothenic acid – vitamin B5. Worker bees secrete it from their pharyngeal glands and feed it to young larvae. It is the only food an appointed queen bee eats and is sought after for its transformative qualities.

This article was contributed by Lauren Jamieson. Lauren’s passion for nutrition started almost 20 years ago when she was diagnosed with Type 1 ‘juvenile’ diabetes. Lauren is currently taking the Ultimate Raw Nutrition Certification, led by raw food guru David Wolfe, as well as on her way to becoming a Certified BodyMind Nutritionist.