Bee Pollen, Dulse Flakes, Hemp Seeds… What is it all for?

So whilst out for lunch at a lovely little organic Juice Bar on the Central Coast with my best girlfriend on the weekend she asked me… ‘What are all the things you add to your food? There are so many strange things I’ve never heard of that you add to Savanna’s meals’. It occurred to me that all these items that I use have become the ‘norm’ to me but if you had asked me 3 years ago what Dulse Flakes are I would have had absolutely no idea. 

So I thought I would put together a little index of items that may seem like strange additions to a lot of people but I use them because they are bursting with nutrients and as you are all probably aware by now, I try to nourish my family to the best of my ability with every single bite of food. So here it is, twelve of my FAVOURITE items that you may have never heard of and a little information about each one and why I use them. 

1. Dulse Flakes – Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a sea vegetable hand-harvested from the icy cold waters of the Canadian Maritimes and in Iceland. Dulse seaweed is a natural treasure chest of goodness, with Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, and E, and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chromium, iodine and zinc and trace elements.

2. Bee Pollen - Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods. It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used directly by the body. Such highly assimilableprotein can contribute significantly to one's protein needs.

3. Hemp Seeds - Hemp seeds contain protein, vitamins and minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seed food products may provide an alternative dietary source of these nutrients.

4. Chia Seeds - Despite their small size, chia seeds are packed full of important nutrients. They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to raise HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol that helps protect against heart attack and stroke). 

Chia seeds are also rich in antioxidants and full of fiber, magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium. Eating one ounce of chia seeds per day would provide 18% of daily calcium needs, 27% of phosphorus, 30% of manganese and smaller amounts of potassium, zinc and copper. 

When compared to flaxseed, chia seeds provide more omega-3s, calcium, phosphorus and fiber - all essential nutrients that most people are not getting enough of.

5. Maca Powder - Maca, a root that belongs to the radish family, is most commonly available in powder form. Grown in the mountains of Peru, it has been called “Peruvian ginseng.” Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.

6. Nutritional Yeast - Nutritional yeast is made from a single-celled organism, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, which is grown on molasses and then harvested, washed, and dried with heat to kill or “deactivate” it. Because it’s inactive, it doesn’t froth or grow like baking yeast does so it has no leavening ability. 

As you can guess from its name, nutritional yeast is packed with nutrition, particularly B-vitamins, folic acid, selenium, zinc, and protein. It’s gluten-free (check specific brands for certification), and contains no added sugars or preservatives.

7. Lucuma Powder - Lucuma powder is made from the subtropical fruit of the Pouteria lucuma tree, which is native to Peru, Chile and Equador. Lucuma provides 14 essential trace elements, including a considerable amount of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

8. Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut is finely cut cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria, including Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus. 

It is a source of vitamins C, B, and K. The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of nutrients rendering sauerkraut even more nutritious than the original cabbage. It is also high in calcium and magnesium, and it is a very good source of dietary fiber, folate, iron, potassium, copper and manganese.

If unpasteurized and uncooked, sauerkraut also contains live lactobacilli and beneficial microbes and is rich in enzymes. The fiber and supply of probiotics improve digestion and promote the growth of healthy bowel flora, protecting against many diseases of the digestive tract.

9. Kimchi – Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. In traditional preparation, kimchi was stored underground in jars to keep cool during the summer months and unfrozen during the winter months. There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi made from napa cabbage, radish, scallion, orcucumber as a main ingredient. 

Kimchi is rich in vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium, and iron and contains lactic acid bacteria, among those the typical species Lactobacillus kimchi.

10. Raw Cacao - Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat (cacao butter). Cocoa looks the same but it’s not. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures. Sadly, roasting changes the molecular structure of the cocoa bean, reducing the enzyme content and lowering the overall nutritional value.

What are the health benefits of raw cacao?

∗Lowers insulin resistance.

∗Protects your nervous system: Cacao is high in resveratrol, a potent antioxidant also found in red wine, known for its ability to cross your blood-brain barrier to help protect your nervous system.

∗Shields nerve cells from damage.

∗It is rich in minerals: Magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese.

11. Goji Berries - The goji berry, also called the wolfberry, is a bright orange-red berry that comes from a shrub that's native to China. In Asia, goji berries have been eaten for generations in the hope of living longer.

 

Goji berries are high in vitamin C and fiber. They are also a good source of iron and vitamin A. One serving of about four ounces of goji berries even provides nearly 10 percent of the suggested amount of dietary protein, a surprising amount for a fruit.

12. Inca Berries - The Incaberry is indigenous to the high altitude tropical regions of South America. At 19 per cent, they have the highest fibre content of all dried fruit. A handful delivers about 8g which is 27 per cent of the recommended daily intake for an adult. Most of the other dried fruits contain about 8g, although dried figs come a close second with 14.3g fibre. It’s all due to those tiny seeds.

Of course there are many more items that I LOVE but those that have received a lot more light in the nutritional world ie. Acai Berry and of course my beloved Bone Broth. Most of the items listed above can be sourced through a good Organic or Wholefoods Co-op or Health Food store. 

You can also purchase a lot of these items off iHerb, follow this link to receive a store discount on me:

http://au.iherb.com/Food-Grocery-Items

 

Love & Gratitute,

Assunta