Optimal Food. Optimal Health.
For those of you familiar with cleansing, this list will come as little surprise, but may serve as a nice reminder of the most optimal food choices you can make. For those of you not familiar with cleansing, we will be posting a series on cleansing soon, and will tie all the details together, so until then, read on for a list of the most optimal food choices we can make.
Remember that old adage from childhood – GIGO. Garbage in = garbage out.
It applies as much to our bodies and our health as it does to science. Be sure to feed your body with fuel that will help it heal and thrive!
OPTIMAL FOOD CHOICES
• Collard greens
• Coriander
• Cucumber
• Dandelion greens
• Eggplant
• Endive
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Ginger root
• Green beans
• Hearts of palm
• Jicama (raw)
• Jalapeno peppers
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Arugula
• Asparagus
• Bamboo shoots
• Bean sprouts
• Beet greens
• Bell peppers
(red, yellow, green)
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cassava
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chayote fruit
• Chicory
• Chives
• Mustard greens
• Onions
• Parsley
• Radishes
• Radicchio
• Snap beans
• Snow peas
• Shallots
• Spinach
• Spaghetti squash
• Summer squash
• Swiss chard
• Tomatoes
• Turnip greens
• Watercress
OPTIMAL PROTEIN CHOICES:
• Organic/Hormone-Free Chicken and Poultry
• Lamb
• Cold Water Fish (salmon, halibut, cod, mackerel, tuna – choose wild ocean fish over farm raised fish)
• Organic Eggs
• Beans
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Flaxseed and Walnut Oils
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Organic Coconut Milk/Oil
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Avocado
• Raw Nuts and Seeds
OPTIMAL NON-STARCHY VEGETABLE CHOICES:
GLUTEN FREE GRAINS:
• Quinoa Flakes or Pasta
• Millet
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Brown and/or Wild Rice
• Amaranth
BEVERAGES:
• Herbal Teas
• Spring Water
• Vegetable Juices
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Unsweetened Almond Milk or Rice Milk
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth• Legumes
• Black beans
• Adzuki beans
• Buckwheat
• Chick peas (garbanzo)
• Cowpeas
• French beans
• Great Northern beans
• Squash (acorn, butternut,
winter)
• Artichokes
• Leeks
• Lima beans
• Okra
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes or yams
• Turnip
• Kidney beans
• Lentils
• Mung beans
• Navy beans
• Pinto beans
• Split peas
• White beans
• Yellow beans
HIGH FIBER STARCHY CARBOHYDRATE CHOICES:
Moderate Glycemic Index:
• Cherries
• Pears
• Fresh apricots
• Melons
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Plums
• Grapefruit
• Pitted Prunes
• Apples
• Plums
• Kiwi fruit
• Lemons
• Limes
• Nectarines
• Tangerines
• Passion Fruit
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
Low Glycemic Index:
• Berries (blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, elderberries, gooseberries, loganberries, raspberries, strawberries)
High Glycemic Index (eat sparingly, or after a workout):
• Banana
• Pineapple
• Grapes
• Watermelon
• Mango
• Papaya
FRUIT CHOICES:
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Rice or Gluten Free Crackers
• Hummus (Chick Pea Spread)
• Almond or Walnut Butter
CONDIMENTS:
• Lemon
• Lime
• Cayenne Pepper
OPTIMAL FAT CHOICES:
• Sea Salt
• Garlic
• Fresh Herbs and Spices
MISC. SNACK CHOICES:
• Organic Rice Cakes
• Organic Gluten Free Oats and Cereals
