Nutrition
Pumpkin Seeds are Alkalizing
Pumpkin seeds are so good that I add them to many of my meals. The bonus nutrient value is that they are the only seed that is alkaline forming.
Did You Know?
- Pumpkin seeds were discovered by archaeologists in caves in Mexico that date back to 7,000 B.C.
- The nutrition in pumpkin seeds improves with age; they are among the few foods that increase in nutritive value as they decompose. According to tests made at the Massachusetts Experimental Station, squash and pumpkin Seeds stored for more than five months show a marked increase in protein content.
- Pumpkin seeds come from pumpkins.
10 Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds:
- Have lots of minerals including phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron and copper.
- Are a good source of protein and vitamin K.
- Contain phytosterols, compounds that that have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.
- Contain L-tryptophan, which helps with good sleep and lowering depression.
- As they are high in zinc, they are a natural protector against osteoporosis. Low intake of zinc is linked to higher rates of osteoporosis.
- Are a good source vitamin E; contain about 35.10 mg of tocopherol-γ per 100 g.
- The most alkaline forming seed.
- Are also excellent source of Vitamin B group ( thiamin, riboflavin,niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and folates).
- Are high in calories, about 559 calories per 100 g.
- Contain good quality protein. 100 g seeds provide 30 g
Health Benefits:
- Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of tryptophan which is converted in to serotonin and niacin. Serotonin is a very helpful in helping us to have a good night’s sleep.
- According to studies, pumpkin seeds prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.
- Pumpkin seeds reduce inflammation for arthritis without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Used in many cultures as a natural treatment for tapeworms and other parasites.
- Good for Prostate Health! The oil in them alleviates difficult urination that happens with an enlarged prostate.
- Pumpkins and their seeds were an important Native American Indian food used for their dietary and medicinal properties.
- They are high in zinc; in a study of almost 400 men (age from 45-92) published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition they found a correlation between low dietary intake of zinc, low blood levels of the trace mineral and osteoporosis at the hip and spine.
Learn about getting more nutrition from pumpkin seeds by soaking them: Sprouting Nuts and Seeds
Recipe: Seed Topping for Rice or Vegetables
Copyright ©Diana Herrington You are welcome to share this article with anyone who you think may benefit from this information as long as you give credit to Real Food for Life by including the link to the home page www.RealFoodforLife.com or the direct link to this post.
9 Benefits of Walnuts – the Crinkly Powerfood
I just love walnuts! They add extra nutrition, flavor and crunch to any meal.
9 Benefits of Walnuts:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, thought to reduce risk of cancer (1/4 cup provides 90.8% of the daily value for these essential fats).
- Filled with good protein; a small serving has more protein than an egg.
- rich source of minerals (manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium).
- Antioxidants, yet are have not trans fats or cholesterol.
- Walnuts along with pecans and chestnuts have the highest antioxidant content of the tree nuts, with walnuts delivering more than 20 mmol antioxidants per 3 ounces (100 grams)
- Are high in vitamin E.
- Are excellent for the heart and circulatory system. (many studies prove this)
- packed with Vitamin B (riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates).
- Dr Oz says they are his favorite as long as they are soaked.
Copyright ©Diana Herrington You are welcome to share this article with anyone who you think may benefit from this information as long as you give credit to Real Food for Life by including the link to the home page www.RealFoodforLife.com or the direct link to this post.
Eat, Pray, Love…WEEDS
What do you do with weeds?
EAT as many weeds as you can stomach.
PRAY they don’t take over your lawn or garden.
LOVE them?
Weeds are some of the most powerful, vigorous, and nourishing plants on the earth.
Wouldn’t we all like to “grow like a weed’?
Eat Weeds:
If you bother to walk out to your lawn or garden; you can probably find enough weeds to solve many of your health problems.
- Dandelion leaves for example have much more nutrition than any of the lettuces you can buy in the supermarket and most of the other greens also. It’s at a great price too….FREE! Read the rest of this entry »
Almonds – King of Nuts
“Someone ate all the almonds!” : (
(familiar party comment around a bowl of mixed nuts)
Almonds are my favorite nut and many agree. Most mornings I add between 7 to 10 almonds to my breakfast. They tasty and nutritious.
Did you know:
- Almonds are actually stone fruits related to cherries, plums and peaches.
- Almonds are the only nut that is alkaline forming.
- Almonds are thought to have originated in western Asia and North Africa; they have been written about in many historical texts, including the Bible.
- Almonds are powerfoods.
9 Benefits of Almonds:
- Nutrient-dense.
- Packed with protein; almonds are 13 percent protein.
- One ounce (or about 23 almonds) is an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, fibre and protein.
- Filled with minerals such as magnesium, copper.
- Filled with B vitamins.
- Full of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
- Cholesterol-free.
- One-ounce serving of almonds contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a serving of broccoli.
- One of the best food sources of vitamin E, with about one third of the daily value per ounce.
Heart-healthy with monounsaturated fat; one-quarter cup of almonds contains about 18 grams of fat, 11 grams is heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
According to research at the University of Toronto, eating heart-healthy foods, including almonds, can help reduce LDL, or the “bad” cholesterol levels, as much as a first-line “statin” drug.
Research at Tufts University found the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with the vitamin E in to protect artery walls from damage reducing the risk of heart disease.
Copyright ©Diana Herrington You are welcome to share this article with anyone who you think may benefit from this information as long as you give credit to Real Food for Life by including the link to the home page www.RealFoodforLife.com or the direct link to this post.
SPROUTING NUTS & SEEDS
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5 Benefits of Nuts and Seeds:
- Best plant sources of protein.
- Filled with heart healthy fat.
- High Energy foods.
- Powerful Minerals.
- Needed Vitamins.
Raw nuts or seeds can have a bitter taste; this is due to enzyme inhibitors. These inhibitors can affect the digestion of the nuts and seeds. Soaking or roasting the nuts and seeds remove the enzyme inhibitors.
The high heat from roasting will remove the enzyme inhibitors but will destroy many of the nutrients. Soaking them will keep them more nutritious and bring out the natural sweet flavor of the nuts and seeds.
The enzyme inhibitors are washed away when the nuts and seed are soaked; also the digestion of the of the proteins and carbohydrates begins. Bonus is that the soaking removes 30% of the oil content making nuts and seeds easier on the liver and digestion and of course less calories.
They are not actually sprouted just soaked (3 to 12 hours) which starts the process of sprouting process. Best not to soak for more then the recommended time as as the sweetness leaves them.
Directions on How to Sprout Nuts & Seeds:
Brown Rice vs White Rice: Benefits and Cautions
Rice feeds the world!
Three billion people worldwide depend on rice for over half of their daily calorie intake. Most of them eat white rice.
Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.
Chinese Proverb
Could the hippies and macrobiotics, two of the biggest brown rice proponents be wrong? What are the differences between brown and white rice, and what are the benefits of each?
The Simple Approach To
Great Health
