DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

 

 

WHOLE FOOD PLANT-BASED FOODS

Plant-based foods are fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts, in as natural of a state as possible. They can be raw or cooked.

FIBER - Can only be found in plant foods.  Animal products do not contain fiber. 

ANTIOXIDANTS - Fight free radicals, (the rogue cells that cause damage) plus so much more and are found in plant foods

 

 

RAW FOOD

Raw Food is anything that is plant based, uncooked or not heated over 118º or sprouted and in its natural state. Raw foods are whole uncooked foods, full of minerals, vitamins and enzymes, which are an energetic life giving force.  Enzymes are responsible for being a catalyst in digestion and food absorption as well as being involved in metabolic or chemical reactions in every cell. Raw food is digested more easily for most people, which allow energy to be used for healing the body. 

 

 

NUTRIENTS

Cooking food over 105-118 degrees, kills the majority of food enzymes present.  Cooked foods are void of many enzymes and the vitamins and nutrients are automatically diminished. The longer food is cooked, and the higher the temperature, the more the nutrients are destroyed.

​

Boiling vegetable, leaches the mineral out and into the water.  So find a way to use the veggie water, for soups or broths to get more nutritional value from it.

​

Steaming is an excellent way to cook vegetables and retain more nutrients, as the minerals stay intact. 

​

Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great choice for nutritional value.  They are usually picked at the peak of ripeness and then flash frozen with or without being blanched.  

​

Canned Fruits and vegetables have been heated at high temperatures, often times with sugar,  sodium and preservatives added. These will have the least nutritional value, but will still contain some nutrients and fiber.  Canned veggies are better than no veggies.

​

​

RAW AND PLANT-BASED FOODS INCLUDE:

Vegetables

Fruits

Beans, legumes

Grains

Sprouts

Nuts

Seeds

Sea vegetables

Fermented foods: Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Miso, Tempeh

​

​

CALORIES = ENERGY= HEALING

The body expends a tremendous amount of energy, digesting the food consumed.  Calories are converted to energy, “if” the calories, actually contain nutrients. Energy is essential for cell and tissue growth.  When we eat raw / whole food plant-based foods, which are easier to digest, there is excess energy left over, energy that can be used to rebuild cells, tissues, heal disease and injuries.  With the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) being embraced my the majority of the population, is it any wonder so many people are sick, ailing and living a less than optimal life?