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Nutrition and the Digestive Process

Nutrition and the digestive process is complex and can be looked at from a number of viewpoints.

Proper function of digestion may be enhanced when you are in a relaxed state and feel appreciation for your food. When the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged the release of needed digestive juices occurs and the involuntary actions of digestion happen.

Chewing each bite is especially important with carbohydrates and all foods we intend for the body to completely digest. In the mouth secretions of salivary amylase can begin the digestion of carbohydrates. Small particles of food can nourish the blood and absorb water to sweep as helpful fiber keeping the intestinal tract clean. Whole food particles are passed through the digestive tract as waste which requires energy and is often inefficient resulting in purification and fermentation of indigestible food waste. Chewing thoroughly may help you to recognize when you are full before you are too full. Remember to only bite off what you can chew!

Consider whole live foods to increase digestive enzyme activity or supplement with enzymes when necessary. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is also necessary as it plays a role in the digestion of proteins and is your body’s first line of defense against disease causing microbes. Apple cider vinegar is often helpful. Try one teaspoon in one cup of water before meals as a digestive aid and for other benefits.

Eating fermented foods is also of value as it adds probiotics (beneficial bacteria within your living ecosystem) and enzymes aiding in digestion and nutritional content. Consider foods like yogurt, kefir, kemchee, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso or rejuvelac (a fermented rye or wheat berry drink).

Eat a variety of organic, seasonal, local and whole foods prepared properly. Balance your biochemistry by consuming an abundance of pure water in-between meals.

When considering nutrition along with colon cleansing and care proper bowel function may be improved.

Assimilation from the foods that we consume is of the utmost importance to our health and well being. Unfortunately, most of the foods we consume today are not natural and are in fact containing excessive amounts of harmful substances.

To ensure optimal health, a proper chemical balance is necessary. The proper ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals must be combined in a manner which permits the full utilization of the foods’ nutrient content. At least 50% of what we eat should not be processed and should be consumed fresh in raw form. We need at least one full serving of a whole grain such as millet, brown rice or yellow corn meal. Foods containing potassium and zinc, like, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. We need to omit foods with high percentages of saturated fats from animals and foods that come in bags, cans, jars or aluminum. Eating a wide variety of seasonal organic raw fruit and goat’s milk yogurt is acceptable. Natural fiber as a bulking agent can be supplemented using ground flax seed, bran fiber or psyllium when cleansing. Drinking large quantities of pure liquids including fresh raw fruit and vegetable juices and herb teas or infusions in between meals is best. Drinking goats’ milk instead of cow’s milk is preferable.

Consider eating 70% of your foods from alkaline forming foods and the remaining 30% from acid forming foods. Alkaline forming foods:

  • All green vegetables, raw salads and cultured veggies
  • All fruits including lemons, limes and cranberries
  • Vegetable juices
  • Fruit juices
  • Goats milk
  • Raw honey
  • Soaked pumpkin seeds
  • Soaked sunflower seeds
  • Quinoa, millet, amaranth, buckwheat
  • Raw organic apple cider vinegar
  • Soaked and sprouted almonds
  • Cooked root vegetables
  • Herbs and spices and teas
  • Kefir

These foods are neither alkaline nor acid forming they are considered neutral.

  • Ghee
  • Raw butter

Acid forming foods:

  • Eggs
  • Cheese
  • Sugar and candy
  • Stevia
  • Sea salt
  • Cereal
  • Breads
  • Meat including beef and lamb
  • Fish including salmon, tuna and halibut
  • Chicken and fowl
  • Nuts (see the exceptions included in alkaline list)
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Soft drinks
  • Oils
  • Shell fish

Foods also have an expanding and contracting effect whether they are alkalizing or acidic. Expanding foods include:

  • Some raw vegetable juices
  • Herbs and spices
  • Stevia
  • Herbal teas and infusions
  • Kefir
  • Raw butters
  • Oils
  • Ghee
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Lemons, limes and cranberries

Contracting foods include:

  • Shellfish
  • Fish including salmon, tuna and halibut
  • Fowl, poultry
  • Beef, lamb
  • Eggs
  • Sea salt

Many other foods fall somewhere in between, these foods include:

  • Raw vegetable including salads
  • Cultured vegetables
  • Cooked leafy greens
  • Soaked and sprouted almonds
  • Red skin potatoes
  • Ocean vegetables
  • Winter squash
  • Cooked root vegetables
  • Grains like quinoa, millet, amaranth and buckwheat

It is said to eat lots of the foods that seem to have a balance between expanding and contracting as they are also the same foods you will find on your list of alkalizing foods.

 

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