Which Food Items Am I Permitted To Eat On A Raw Vegan Diet?

We not only are what we eat, but also how we eat. Raw foodism proposes that food can be more than just a basic source of sustenance, but that it can shape our health and influence our entire lives. Most people decide to switch to a raw diet when they realize that the foods they are accustomed to consuming are actually detrimental to human health.

Making the conversion to a raw vegan diet may look like a ambitious undertaking, especially when combatting addictions to the chemicals, sugars and unhealthy fats that are normally found in convenience and fast foods. If you aren’t sure where to begin, ask yourself how safe and natural each food item in your diet truly is?

To qualify for a raw diet, at least three quarters of the foods you eat should be as raw and fresh as possible. Food is considered raw when prepared at temperatures below 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating foods to higher temperatures leads to a loss in nutrients, coupled with chemical reactions derived from combustion that may be damaging to health.

Before looking at what to eat, it is a good idea to know what to steer clear of. Commercially available processed foods, snacks, sauces, dressings, pastry, ice-cream, soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, sugar, salt and boiled or roasted foods should be avoided. Nonetheless, raw veganism is actually less restrictive than it sounds. Allowed foods can usually be grouped in a few loose categories: fruits, vegetables and greens, legumes, soaked nuts and seeds, sprouts, whole grains, raw plant oils, fermented raw foods, herbs and spices, fresh juices, plus seaweeds and algae.

Veggies and fruits can be eaten in a variety of ways. They of course may be consumed in their natural raw form, to chnage it up many people use them to prepare fruit or green smoothies, juices and purees. A good blender, a food processor and a juicer are very handy tools to have in any raw food kitchen.

Fruit and green smoothies may be consumed at any time and differing veggie and fruit concoctions can allow for a fantastic breakfast, lunch or supper. A satiating healthy smoothie with romaine lettuce, zuchinni, banana and berries is excellent for steady energy release, and a fresh summertime smoothie with peaches, Boston lettuce, strawberries blended with coconut water is a wonderful afternoon snack or meal. Additionally, countless additional healthy raw meals utilize fruits, including tasty raw ice cream, cakes and pies.

Check out what else you can eat when switching to a raw diet plus learn more regarding raw dieting in general by viewing my most recent post: Raw Food Diets

categories: raw food,dieting,veganism,health,nutrition,food,fruits

35 Reasons to add Acai berries to your diet today

1. Acai is a good source of protein. Protein is one of the building blocks of the human body, especially bodily tissues like the organs and muscles. Protein is also a component of the skin, hair and nails; and ounce for ounce, acai contains more protein than eggs!

2. Acai has been used for centuries as a natural agent of detoxification - it helps to clear impurities from your body.

3. Acai enhances muscle function and recovery following workouts thanks to its mineral and amino acid content. Which makes it a great supplement for those that exercise.

4. Acai’s lipid content boosts your energy level - whether you play sports or just have a busy life, acai has the extra energy you need.

5. The acai berry can help to regulate stress levels.

6. Acai is good for sexual health. The antioxidants in the acai berry and its anti-inflammatory properties can improve fertility by reducing stress and countering the actions of pollutants and free radicals on your body.

7. Acai contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals which help your body to resist illnesses.

8.Acai’s antioxidant content can reduce the effects of aging by protecting your cells from free radicals.

9. Acai’s antioxidants can also help to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate).

10. The high calcium content of the acai berry can help to prevent osteoporosis and fractures and strengthen the entire skeletal system.

11. Acai’s calcium content also helps to reduce menstrual pain - acai juice is especially beneficial to women.

12. Acai is very good for your heart. The anthocynanins (such as 3-glucoside) help your body to produce the nitric oxide that it needs to ensure good circulation and the polyphenols found in this nutritious little berry are powerful heart-healthy antioxidants.

13. Acai contains essential fatty acids that keep LDL (bad cholesterol) low, while boosting levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

14. Acai is great for your circulatory system - the anthocyanins in acai strengthen your veins, arteries and capillaries, while the sterols in acai help to regulate blood pressure.

15. Acai can help to prevent retinopathy in diabetics, which can lead to blindness. Acai strengthens capillaries to prevent eye damage and also helps maintain proper glucose and lipid levels. Acai is a low glycemic index food which is very good for diabetics.

16. The fact that acai is a low GI food means that it can regulate appetite, making it a great choice for those trying to lose weight.

17. A study which was recently reported in the Journal of Sports Medicine has shown that the beta-sitoserol in acai helps boost immune function by regulating lymphocyte activity and fighting against immune suppression.

18. A main causes of disease is immune system impairment due to free radicals; acai fights this with its antioxidant properties.

19. The Acai berry has anti-fungal, anti-viral and antibacterial properties.

20. Acai has anti-mutagenic properties; it can prevent DNA damage from mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

21. Acai is high in dietary fiber, which improves the health and function of your digestive system.

22. Acai can help to treat GERD (acid reflux disease). This is due to the antioxidant properties of the acai berry, which assists in repairing and protecting the lower esophagus from the damage caused by GERD and its ability to reduce stomach acidity.

23. Acai can even help to heal ulcers, since it can kill H. pylori, an ulcer-causing bacteria.

24. Acai can keep the symptoms of Chron’s disease under control thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

25. Acai contains phytosterols and anthocyanins which protect your skin and connective tissues (like collagen) which helps to keep your skin looking more youthful and smooth.

26. Acai is rich in antioxidants, which lowers risk of some types of cancers, including stomach, lung, skin and breast cancers.

27. Acai contains anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the pain of arthritis.

28. Acai’s anti-inflammatory properties can also help to alleviate the symptoms of asthma.

29. A 2004 Archives of Neurology study found that a diet rich in vitamin C and in vitamin E (note: both vitamins are abundant in acai berries) can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

30. Acai helps to support proper eye function; the vitamin C and beta carotene found in acai even help prevent some of the damage from macular degeneration in diabetics.

31. Acai is beneficial to dental health as well - the calcium content helps strengthen and whiten teeth, as well as helping to prevent gingivitis and other diseases of the gums.

32. The omega-3 fatty acids in acai help maintain mental clarity and alertness.

33. Acai’s B vitamins help you to get a better night’s sleep, lower stress and produce the appropriate levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

34. Acai Promotes overall good health and wellness.

35. While acai does not cure diseases per se, acai helps the body to heal itself by supplying it woith the nutrition it needs to support good health.

What Can Noni be Used For?

The noni tree originates in the south pacific, most likely Hawaii, growing in the back lava soil left behind by the Island’s many volcanoes. It can grow up to 30 feet tall, and is related to the coffee tree, being in the Rubiaceae family. It will also grow in shady forests, sandy and rocky shores, saline soils, secondary soils, and limestone outcrops. It is however more common and grows better in the lava soil beds. Today it grows in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Southeast Asia, all of the Pacific Islands, and even in the Dominican Republic.

Although it has been a staple food for some small countries, it is mostly called the starvation or famine fruit simply because it tastes quite bad in it’s raw, fruit form. The outside resembles that of a large mottled white potato with buds on it similar to the knobs on pineapples. It has a sour smell when ripening, much like that of cheese when it is curing and so has been given the nickname of the ‘cheese fruit.’ Its other names include the scientific name of Morinda Citrifolia, and general names like Great Morinda, Indian Mulberry, Mengkudi, Beach Mulberry, and Tahitian Noni usually according to where it has been found to grow.

The main use of the fruit is the juice and ground powder. The powder itself is loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium with trace amounts of sodium. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and carbohydrates. Noni is said to have boosting power for your metabolism. This fruit also contains a sufficient amount of essential fatty acids, flavanoids, polysaccharides, indoids and phytoestrogens.

Noni has a trace element called beta-sitosterol, an anti-cholesterol ingredient. Many health food stores carry other parts of the plant in ground form for the making of natural herbal medicines and remedies. Some countries, like China and Japan use the flowers, fruit, bark, leaves and roots, which is basically the whole plant in their home made remedies. They say it is good for fever, eye irritations, throat and gum infections, bowel, intestine and general stomach problems and lung problems.

The leaves of the noni tree are used in Malaysia as a poultice on the chest to relieve coughs, nausea and colic. The fruit is used in Indochina for lumbago, asthma, and dysentery. It is also made into a poultice an applied to broken bones to help relieve pain.

This Queen Fruit or Canoe Fruit as it was named by early Polynesian tribes, traveled with them wherever they went. Because of its healing and health benefits it was one of the things the tribe would consider essential to travel or take with them. They would eat the fruit, drink the juice, use it for medical purposes and save the seeds to plant.

Does Acai Berry Have Any Side Effects?

The Acai berry gives those who drink it a long lasting energy boost, cancer fighting abilities, more youthfulness and better feeling, and helps to lower your cholesterol. The Acai berry does it all. But does the Acai berry have side effects because all this seems way too good to be true.

However, to date there have been no reported Acai berry side effects. There have also been no reports of Acai berry having any adverse reactions with any prescription drugs. You see, Acai is simply a fruit just like apples, bananas, or oranges. While it could be possible that you are allergic to Acai berry, you do not often hear of people having negative side effects from natural fruit.

When purchasing Acai berry make sure you research who your provider is. Some shady business and other companies have been known to supply low quality Acai products. Also, watch out for Acai supplements when you purchase them. Make sure they don’t have any additives that might have side effects.

In order to get the most nutrients out of Acai berry you need to drink Acai berry juice. It is 100% natural Acai berry juice and absorbs better into your system than any other form like powders or supplements.

In addition, Acai berry juice has a very delicious taste like that of chocolate berries. You will also be able to see all the ingredients and know for sure that you can avoid additives that may be in the pill supplement version.

Acai berry contains vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and a long lasting energy boost. It is a very good tasting fruit that has no side effects on your body.

Prosource Liquid Protein Supplement

The right kind of liquid protein supplement can play an important role in ensuring the effectiveness of a healthy diet. There is in fact sufficient scientific evidence available that bears this out and which also shows that the right kind of liquid protein supplement such as Prosource liquid protein supplement can help improve the metabolism, especially in regard to repairing as well as maintaining muscle tissues. As a matter of fact, the more a person exercises, especially in regard to bodybuilding, the more damage and rundown will their muscle tissues become.

Prosource liquid protein supplement is an excellent supplement that came about when hydrolyzed collagen and whey protein were combined in order to ensure formulating a higher protein supplement. In fact, the Prosource liquid protein supplement contains as many as ten grams of protein for every single ounce of the supplement and it also contains pure essential as well as non-essential amino acids.

The Prosource liquid protein supplement provides users with a rich vein of glycine, arginine, proline, lysine as well as hydroxylysine as well as hydroxyproline. Another notable benefit to using prosource liquid protein supplement is that it is instantly dispersible and in addition it does not have a flavor and the liquid is also very clear.

Prosource liquid protein supplement does not contain gluten, and in addition, it also does not contain lactose though being a medicinal nutritional it is advisable that it should only be taken on the advice of a physician. Nevertheless it has some very good benefits including only containing hundred calories while being absolutely free of fat and it also only contains fifteen grams of carbohydrates.

In addition, prosource liquid protein supplement has just seven grams of sugar, ten grams of protein and twenty milligrams of sodium and a similar quantity of potassium as well as eighty milligrams of phosphorous. All these measurements relate to a single ounce of prosource liquid protein supplement.

Typically, you will be sold prosource liquid protein supplement in thirty-two ounce bottles which retail for approximately fifty-seven dollars though with discounts you can shave off another thirty-four percent off the list price.

It is not only boys and men that need liquid protein supplements because now there are also many takers for liquid protein supplements for women. However, women need a different kind of liquid protein supplement, especially ones that do not contain testosterone boosters which would have an adverse effect on their voices ” making them deeper as well as causing excessive growth of hair as well.

What is Acai?

Like many of the other superfruits, the acai tree is native to hot, humid and tropical climates like those found in Central America, South America and Brazil. The purple berry that it produces has a berry-chocolate flavor to it. The inside of the palm, the soft part know as the heart of palm has been used in salads, eaten alone and in other dishes.

The acai palm tree and its; fruit have been a staple food for the Amazonian (mostly Caboclo) civilization in the Amazon for countless years. The use every part of the tree, with no part of it going to waste. The fruit is picked and made into juice or pulp products three different times each year. The palm hearts are harvested and eaten, locally or as an export. The leaves have been used for mats, baskets brooms and other items. The leaves have also been used for centuries to thatch the roofs of their homes and huts. The trunks of the trees have been harvested for their wood, used in local home building.

You’ve seen it on many infomercials and talk shows. The berry is claimed to have many properties that the health food buff or dieter needs. They claim it can energize you by boosting your metabolism. However, to the natives where this tree grows, their concern was using it as a staple food and other uses, since they found they could use the whole tree. They have taught its use to their children, passed down from one generation to the next.

Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.

There have recently been a few questions raised on the actual nutritional value of the acai berry. It was first declared to be an extremely high source of antioxidant content, but other researches claim that acai actually falls below the pomegranate, and eleven different frozen fruit juices, including the mango, the strawberry, red wine, blueberry juice and concord grape juice. They say it ranks on average with black cherry and cranberry juice, but has a higher amount of antioxidants than orange and apple juices.

No matter if it has the most antioxidants or not, there are plenty of other health benefits from the acai berry to make it worthwhile. For instance, other research on acai berries indicates that it could likely help in the treatment of leukemia. The juice is already being used in some instances as a contrast in the gastrointestinal area for MRI’s. Don’t count it out yet, research on this tasty berry is still young and it has plenty of room left for surprises to throw at us all.

Goji is Anything But a Fad

Tibetan Goji and Himalayans Goji are the most popular types of the goji berry found in health food stores. They come from the little red berry known to scientists as Lycium barbarum, and are also known as wolfberries, Chinese wolfberries, barbary matrimony vines, bocksdorns, Duke of Argyll’s tea trees, murali, red medlar, and matrimony vines. These plants are related to the family of Solinaceae which includes potatoes, tomatoes, chili peppers, eggplant and tobacco. This berry is found mostly in China, but can be grown anywhere the climate isn’t too cold.

The small, lavender goji flower will appear as one to three flowers on each stem. It has long stamen in the center, and the oblong leaves are nothing out of the ordinary to look at, however, the berry is a bright red square looking oblong shape. The main area that you find these plants is in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Ningxia province in the west of china and the north central areas of China, respectively.

Our western-world health food industries advertises two main types of Goji berry. Tibetan goji and Himalayan goji, both types being very common in our health-food stores and of course online. However this berry does not grow in either one of these regions! The Himalayan mountains are simply too cold to grow Goji trees in today. Once upon a time they were said to be the birthplace of all goji, but today the frost will simply wipe these fragile trees out.

The United Kingdom has become a curiously common place to find goji plants. They grow in hedge rows in the areas of Hadley, Ipswich, Suffolk Sandlings, Bawdsey and Walberswick. They were introduced to this area in the early 1700’s, which explains why one of the names for this plant is the Duke of Argyll’s tea tree.

Goji berries are usually exported in the dried form, very similar to dried raisins because they cannot be shipped fresh. There is just no way to ship them from China to the west in their fresh form, as they would rot too easily. The Chinese use their fresh berries in a large variety of main dishes, mixed with rice, other Chinese vegetables and fish, chicken or beef, and they make healthy any meal. They are also use goji in a variety of teas and drinks there.

If you want a tasty goji treat, you could try the ale made from these berries at the New Belgium Brewery, or at least get your hands on some ‘Wolf Berry Beer.’ The Chinese have made a flavored brand of coffee from them too, which isn’t any surprise since they also use the leaves for nearly infinite medicinal uses already.

What is a Mangosteen Good for?

There is a tropical evergreen tree that grows throughout southeast Asia commonly now, but is believed to have originated in the Sundra Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia. This tree grows as tall as 80 feet and produces a purple fruit that is famously edible. Some compare the taste that of a sweet peach mixed with apricot. Depending on the crop and the area it is found in it can have a tangy or a very sweet taste. This purple fruit, called a mangosteen, is supposed to have some of the world’s most impressive healing properties.

There are many ’superfruits’ being talked about today. Mangosteen is at the top of the list, however the nutritional value of this fruit doesn’t at first appear to match up to what some health officials determine to be a superfruit. It contains 18 grams of carbohydrates, 1.8 grams of diet fiber, .6 grams of fat, .4 grams of protein and 81 grams of water.

So if nothing else, it is very low in calories and would be perfect for those on a diet or trying to just control their weight. However research does show that it might have some of the world’s best antioxidant properties for any fruit. It is supposed to contain at least 40 different Xanthones, which are a powerful form of antioxidants. There are currently 200 Xanthones identified, all beneficial to humans.

Xanthones travel through our system and mop up free radicals that can cause disease and malfunctions in many of our organs. Mangosteen contains the Xanthones alpha-mangostin, gama-mangostin garcinone, beta-mangostin, garcinone-a, garcinone-d, garcinone-c, gartanin and mangostanol. All of these Xanthones and the all the other antioxidants contained in this fruit have anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, and platelet-aiding properties.

However, take care when drinking the Mangosteen juice. There have been a few cases of acidosis reported by individuals who consumed too much of it. Drinking smaller quantities should solve this issue entirely though, since the acidosis only appeared when people drank rather large quantities of its juice.

Mangosteen is available in western countries in juice, frozen, and sometimes canned varieties. There has been a long-standing ban on importation of this fruit in it’s whole form to the United States, but Canada has been importing mangosteen since 2007. Although the fruit is not easy to find here, farmers in Puerto Rico have started to send us a few mangosteen, especially to the more wealthy hotels and restaurants on the east coast.

Don’t Underestimate Acai

Like many of the other superfruits, the acai tree is native to hot, humid and tropical climates like those found in Central America, South America and Brazil. The purple berry that it produces has a berry-chocolate flavor to it. The inside of the palm, the soft part know as the heart of palm has been used in salads, eaten alone and in other dishes.

It has, for centuries been a staple food for civilizations in the Amazon, Brazilian, Central and other South American countries. All parts of the tree can be used for something. Nothing is wasted. The hearts of palm are harvested, eaten by the natives and exported as a delicacy to other countries. The leaves have been harvested and woven into mats, baskets, brooms and roofing thatch for years. The trunks of the trees have been chopped down and cut to use in building structures all through these countries.

The berry-like fruit has been in the world’s news for a few years now, since is was first introduced to tourists around 2001. It is proven to help boost your energy by boosting your metabolism. It is widely advertised for healthy conscious eating and dieting. The people of Brazil among other nearby countries have been utilizing this palm tree for centuries as a staple food. They have passed its uses down from one generation to another.

Since the media has started promoting the berry and its juice from this tree, the farming of acai has enabled natives to create a financially richer life. What used to be a staple food for them is now a means of living. They use what they need of the tree, plant more, farm them, harvest them, and then sell them to exporters and diet food companies. The juice is very popular in Brazil. You can drink it sweet or salty, whichever you prefer. They are also now selling it in freeze dried and powder form for exporting abroad. This is one of those plants that is functional in many areas. None of it goes to waste. Now that they are farming it, the seeds are more important than ever. After they plant the seeds, it only takes a couple months for seedlings to sprout. This is considered a short time under good conditions. Any left over seeds can be ground and used in the feeding of farm animals and in enriching the soil around plants.

A couple of recent lab studies have indicated that the level of antioxidants once advertised for this berry is not as high as it was first stated. They had claimed it as being among the very highest in antioxidants, however the studies they have been performing lately in comparison to other fruits and juices, shows this berry as coming up short of the peak. It may not have as high a level of antioxidants when compared to several frozen fruit juices, red wine, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, dark-colored grapes and pomegranates. If they are correct, acai may only run on an even keel with cherries and cranberries, but is still higher in antioxidants than oranges and of course apple juice.

Some other studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart diseases, other forms of cancer, and even high blood pressure. In fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent during MRI’s for gastrointestinal scans. The acai berry still packs quite a beneficial punch, no matter what the latest reports claim.

Don’t Rule Out Acai Yet

The Acai tree is found in very warm, tropical climates like that of the Amazonian region of Brazil. It is a unique palm tree that produces a reddish purple berry. The berry has a twofold taste of tart berries and chocolate flavoring mixed together. Additionally, the soft inside of the palm tree’s trunk, also known as the heart of palm, is cut out and used in many dishes including salads.

The acai palm tree and its; fruit have been a staple food for the Amazonian (mostly Caboclo) civilization in the Amazon for countless years. The use every part of the tree, with no part of it going to waste. The fruit is picked and made into juice or pulp products three different times each year. The palm hearts are harvested and eaten, locally or as an export. The leaves have been used for mats, baskets brooms and other items. The leaves have also been used for centuries to thatch the roofs of their homes and huts. The trunks of the trees have been harvested for their wood, used in local home building.

The berry-like fruit has been in the world’s news for a few years now, since is was first introduced to tourists around 2001. It is proven to help boost your energy by boosting your metabolism. It is widely advertised for healthy conscious eating and dieting. The people of Brazil among other nearby countries have been utilizing this palm tree for centuries as a staple food. They have passed its uses down from one generation to another.

Many natives now grow the trees and make a living from the harvest by selling them to exporters to ship to other countries for the berries, hearts of palm, leaves and trunks. Brazil even incorporates the acai berries in soda, juice, ice cream, and other flavored drinks, including alcoholic ones. They are served chilled or at room temperature in pitchers made from gourds, and can be flavored with sugar or salt. They also provide acai now in freeze-dried and powdered forms. Seeds from the Acai Palm tree are harvested and replanted. It takes several months for seedlings to form. Extra seeds are also ground up and used to feed livestock and as organic additives for plant soil.

Recently there has been a study or two that question the nutritional value of the acai berry. First the publications indicated that it was the best known source of antioxidants, but now some comparisons are showing that the level of antioxidants are not as high as first thought. It actually falls below eleven frozen fruit juices, including the pomegranate, mango and aronia berries in comparative studies. It also fell below red wine, blueberry juice and concord grapes but was higher in comparison to orange and apple juice. It may only be on the same level of antioxidant potency with black cherry and cranberry juice if these studies can be taken at face value.

Even without the huge antioxidant component, there is little doubt that acai is an awesome nutritional boost to your body. Many studies have indicated that this berry may be a future treatment for leukemia, diabetes, heart health and high blood pressure, as well as many other difficult-to-treat illnesses. If fact, they are already using acai as a contrast agent in MRI’s for gastrointestinal scans!