Green Foods

WHAT ARE GREEN FOODS?

We all know of green foods such as: peas, avocados, green grapes, green peppers, spinach, zucchini, asparagus, celery, kiwi, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, artichokes, green beans, collard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, kale, and the like. These foods are all nutrient dense, generally high in fiber, and satisfying. They’ve been known to aid in the elimination of toxins, improve skin conditions, and strengthen the hair and nails. Some people even claim green foods keep you looking younger, longer.

There is also another group of green foods: blue green algae, chlorella, barley grass, wheat grass, kelp, and spirulina. These are the green foods one typically purchases in powdered, capsule, or tablet form.

WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF GREEN FOODS?

1. Many green foods have a rich supply chlorella.

2. Chlorella is rich in protein.

3. Chlorophyll

4. Carotenoids

5. Vitamins

6. Minerals

7. Omega’s

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THESE GREEN FOODS?

1.   Support bodily functions.

2.   Boost energy levels.

3.   Facilitate elimination of toxins.

4.   Facilitate elimination of heavy metals.

5.   Support cellular metabolism.

6.   Balance pH of the blood.

7.   Can help reduce high blood pressure.

8.   Helps reduce LDL (otherwise referred to as ‘bad cholesterol).

9.   Boosts the immune system.

10. Aids in healing the digestive tract and wound healing.

11. Encourages regularity.

12. Protects the liver.

13. Detoxifies the body of pesticides.

14. Detoxifies the body of chemical pollutants.

15. Has been found to reduce symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and allergies.

HOW DO GREEN FOOD(S) HELP ATHLETES?

1. They are rich in nutrient dense carbohydrates.

2. Good source of vitamins.

3. Good source of minerals.

4. High fiber.

5. Enzyme rich.

6. Antioxidant rich.

Some studies confirm green foods help in recovery time by aiding digestion, flushing the gut with nutrients, while at the same time, cleaning house, helping with elimination, and thereby boosting energy, and flushing lactic acid at the same time. As you know, just flushing the system of waste allows your body to recover faster, wounds heal quicker, and energy levels increase. Since these foods are high in antioxidants, they help to decrease inflammation, which many athletes find as a Golden Nugget, rather quickly.

This is why it’s crucial to be eating in such a way as to benefit the blueprint of the human body. We are not meant to eat packaged, processed, refined things. We are created and designed to run on good clean, raw (for the most part), foods. With clean eating you’ll find breathing is easier, and exercising is more enjoyable. 

IS GREEN FOODS FOR EVERYONE?

Not necessarily. If you’re taking any type of anticoagulant, you’ll want to check with your physician before beginning a green foods regimen, as green foods tend to be a good source of Vitamin K, which could interfere with the effectiveness of your coagulant.

For everyone else, I suggest the same as any other supplement, begin slowly, watch how your body responds. If you experience gas, abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or have any type of allergic reaction, reconsider the amount you are taking, or move to a Plan B, which is eating plenty of the green foods listed at the top of this blog. If you’re an athlete, which I’m assuming you are, mix your green foods with these foods to get a strong nutritional foundation:

1. Acai Berry (100% acai, powdered)

2. Bananas (best when they have brown specks on them)

3. Oranges

4. Greek yogurt

5. Oatmeal (cooked under 120 degrees)

6. Salmon ( 2-3 days a week)

7. Tuna (once a week)

8. Sweet Potatoes

9. Blueberries

10. Flank steak

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING GREEN FOODS or GREEN SUPPS

1. Be sure your product is organic.

2. Look for a product with the least amount of fillers, and/or additives, if you are purchasing a supplement.

I believe green foods should be a part of every athletes healthy meal plan, so long as they can tolerate it. I like the taste myself. I mix my greens in with my electrolyte powders, add to protein shakes, blend and mix with Greek yogurt, add to homemade soups, etc.

Go Green!