Summer is a time to say goodbye to those winter comfort food recipes and start trying ones that are naturally alkalizing.
Bread is one of the biggest comfort foods for many people.
While most bread recipes are full of enriched flour and gluten, they aren’t exactly the light summer meal most people are looking for.
Alkaline foods are important because they naturally flush toxins from the body, thus creating a pH balanced environment where disease is unlikely to develop. Eating alkaline doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods. It just means they need a healthy makeover!
Qualities of Naturally Detoxing Foods
All naturally detoxing foods should meet the following criteria:
- High in Fibre
Fibre helps clear toxins out of the body by moving them through the digestive system. Without a proper functioning digestive system, bulk matter may accumulate in the GI tract and become infected.
One of the most important functions of fiber in the gut is to ferment in the colon and make healthy changes in the gut microflora. Higher intakes of fiber are also associated with lower overall body weight.
Dietary fiber doesn’t just keep your digestive system healthy. A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology stated that dietary fiber may improve key risks associated with cardiovascular disease in UK women. Soluble fiber has been linked to healthy cholesterol levels.
- High in Antioxidants
Naturally detoxing foods should be high in antioxidants, which help neutralize free radical toxins and move them out of the body before they have a chance to accumulate in tissues.
Antioxidants are what protect us from disease, which is often caused by radical induced tissue damage, or the buildup of toxins (like the ones often found in comfort foods!)
- High in Vitamins and Minerals
Lastly, foods that are naturally detoxing should be high in vitamins and minerals, which are needed for proper development and basic metabolic processes. Major minerals are especially important in chemical reactions, such as neutralizing free radicals that prevent toxin build up. Vitamins are needed to assist with energy breakdown that is needed to fuel these chemical reactions.
- Unprocessed or Raw
Processed foods are foods that have been heated to high temperatures. In the process, they lose many of their valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. An easy way to spot a processed food is by packaging. Fruits and vegetables are unprocessed and come without packaging, while processed foods like cakes and cookies come prepackaged.
Examples Of Naturally Detoxing Foods
Fruits and vegetables are some of the best known naturally detoxing foods, but your diet shouldn’t be limited to just produce. Here are a few examples of naturally detoxing foods you may not have thought of:
- Psyllium Husks
Psyllium husks come from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata that is primarily grown in India but is available all over the world. It is full of soluble fiber that is primarily used for its laxative effects, which is outstanding for clearing out toxins from the digestive system.
It interestingly can also be used if you are experiencing loose bowels, as it can also help provide bulk to your stools and slow transit time. Psyllium husks may defend against:
- Colon Cancer
- Diabetes
- Constipation
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- IBD/IBS
- Obesity
- Chia seeds
Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation. A prolonged buildup of toxins may cause inflammation but chia seeds have hypolipemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic properties that protect against disease.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties that help protect against Candida, a form of yeast that lives in the gut. Candida feeds off dietary sugar present in the diet. An overgrowth can cause infection. Apple cider vinegar works by preventing the yeast from spreading or causing infections.
Alkalizing Gluten Free Bread made with Psyllium Husks, Chia Seeds and Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe
This recipe is the perfect compromise between getting alkalizing foods in your diet without giving up some of your favorite comfort foods. The next time you’re in the mood for a sandwich but don’t want to suffer from a glutinous brain fog and stomach cramping, try this alkalizing gluten free bread recipe made with psyllium husks, chia seeds and apple cider vinegar. Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons Uberti Organic Psyllium Husks
- 1/2 cup warm water
- ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup (125g) coconut flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 6 large eggs or 12 egg whites
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup chia seeds
To make, preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8X4 inch pan with parchment paper. Mix the psyllium husks and water in a small bowl and set aside to allow for a gel to form. Pulse the remaining ingredients in a food processor until well blended. Add the psyllium husk mixture and pulse again. Spread the batter into the pain, smooth the top and bake at 45-55 minutes. Be sure to let the bread cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.
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