Nutrition

As good healthy nutrition is vital to good health on so many levels, this page covers various aspects of food. Supporting a healthy gut microbiome is the key to a strong immune system. Balanced gut flora enhances digestion and provides the basis for overall well-being. There is much to be said for eating locally, as it acclimatizes the body to an area and proves to be healthy in other ways.

Juicing fresh fruit and vegetables can help clean the blood, and heal, relieve, and cure the body. Vegetable and fruit juices can be packed with valuable healthy vitamins and nutrients to protect one’s eyes and skin, stimulate one’s immune system, help rebuild the digestive mucous membranes, eliminate the body’s waste and so much more. Celery juice can provide a good amount of fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, and help to regulate blood pressure. Beet juice is most effective for cleansing organs such as the liver as is the astringent qualities of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Probiotics – Illness, antibiotics, poor diet, and other factors can upset the balance of good and bad bacteria and it is important to re-establish the gut flora to a healthy level. When an imbalance in the gut flora occurs, probiotics, which are live microorganisms, restore the natural balance of the good bacteria necessary for healthy digestion. Other issues that can arise due to a lack of good bacteria include allergies, mental health problems, obesity, and more. Food sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir; sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, miso, tamari, tempeh, kombucha tea, sour cream, cottage cheese, aged cheese and buttermilk. If your diet is lacking in these areas you can always buy acidophilus, bifidobacterium longum and other beneficial additives at the health store to restore and maintain healthy levels of probiotics in the system.

Fruits are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as phytochemicals that function as antioxidants. There is much to be said about the importance of proper food combining to allow for better assimilation of food and increased levels of energy following meals. It is best to learn about proper food combining when it comes to fruit and eat it by itself for optimum benefit and quick passage through the digestive track. It is best to combine acidic fruits with semi-acidic fruits and semi-acidic fruits with sweet fruits. It is best to not combine acidic fruits with sweet fruits to avoid slower digestion, gas, and nausea. Many fruits are best consumed by themselves such as apples for better cleansing, and watermelon and other melons to avoid gastrointestinal fermentation and bloating that can occur when combined with avocado or certain other fruits.

Vegetables are also chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidants that help prevent cell damage. Several servings of vegetables a day are recommended along with ‘eating the rainbow’, to best gain different health benefits from different vegetables. Healthy arteries, lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease and better digestion are just some of the important benefits of a diet full of fresh vegetables, especially if they are organic and locally grown. Cooking diminishes the potency of vegetables and should be kept to a minimum or avoided whenever possible for maximum benefits.

Proper food combining is much less strict with vegetables compared to fruit, as most vegetables can be combined with grains and starches, animal and dairy products. Combining leafy green vegetable, carrots, broccoli, etc. is recommended with animal products and dairy over starchy vegetables such as potatoes.

For plenty of vegetarian based recipes, check out the Good Vegetarian Eats Facebook page.