Black Beans
Black beans are full of nutritional goodness! What makes these little guys so powerful is their interesting combination of protein + fiber. That's a combination that is virtually impossible to find outside of the legume family. Because of this, they are an ideal source of energy for our bodies as they move slowly through our digestive tract, unlike other forms of carbohydrates that can speed along and cause extreme highs (and then lows) in blood sugar, moods, etc.
Beyond their protein and fiber, black beans are packed with phytonutrients that include a variety of antioxidants and flavonoids. Flavonoids are responsible for giving the beans their dark color, and as with other colorful plant-based foods, it's a sign that they are excellent for your health!
Black beans have been shown to fight off colon cancer (thanks to the phytonutrients and fiber) and heart disease (because of high levels of magnesium). In some places around the world (i.e. Brazil) beans have their own place on the food pyramid as it is proven that they should be an essential part of our diets!
Worried about the after effects of eating beans? Soaking them for at least a couple of hours will make them easier for your body to digest!
Beyond their protein and fiber, black beans are packed with phytonutrients that include a variety of antioxidants and flavonoids. Flavonoids are responsible for giving the beans their dark color, and as with other colorful plant-based foods, it's a sign that they are excellent for your health!
Black beans have been shown to fight off colon cancer (thanks to the phytonutrients and fiber) and heart disease (because of high levels of magnesium). In some places around the world (i.e. Brazil) beans have their own place on the food pyramid as it is proven that they should be an essential part of our diets!
Worried about the after effects of eating beans? Soaking them for at least a couple of hours will make them easier for your body to digest!
Wheatberries
Wheatberries or wheat berries? Either one works!
Wheatberries probably look different from the types of wheat that you are used to eating on a daily basis, and nutritionally they are extremely different as well. Wheatberries are the whole grain of the wheat plant. The bran and the germ are still in place, and because of that the health benefits are strong. Wheatberries have been proven to fight inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer. These nutty grains contain lignans (phytonutrients that occupy hormone receptors), which helps your body to avoid circulating hormones like estrogen.
Wheatberries help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and gallstones, and they promote weight loss. Can't you get all of these benefits from other wheat products? Unfortunately, many of the nutrients are stripped away during processing the grain into other products. In this case, along with most other foods, it's best to stick to the whole, unrefined plant-based food.
Wheatberries probably look different from the types of wheat that you are used to eating on a daily basis, and nutritionally they are extremely different as well. Wheatberries are the whole grain of the wheat plant. The bran and the germ are still in place, and because of that the health benefits are strong. Wheatberries have been proven to fight inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer. These nutty grains contain lignans (phytonutrients that occupy hormone receptors), which helps your body to avoid circulating hormones like estrogen.
Wheatberries help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and gallstones, and they promote weight loss. Can't you get all of these benefits from other wheat products? Unfortunately, many of the nutrients are stripped away during processing the grain into other products. In this case, along with most other foods, it's best to stick to the whole, unrefined plant-based food.
Dried Herbs
Dried herbs not only add interesting flavors and colors to our Local Fixin's, they also add a variety of health perks. The essential oils (which are more prevalent once the herbs are dried) have a unique ability to neutralize free radicals.
The World's Healthiest Foods. Web. 01 Oct. 2011. <http://whfoods.com>
