Raw Super Foods

Healthy eating is an important part of any active lifestyle, and making sure the body has the vitamins and nutrients it needs is crucial to living happily and comfortably. Many diets champion the benefits of adding more vegetables and hearty whole grains to a daily eating regimen, and because some of the best foods deliver so much nutritional value they are known as superfoods. Fortunately, adding raw superfoods to a healthy diet is easy and inexpensive.

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is young wheat that is only about 10 days old. Usually grown in trays, wheatgrass is a term also applied to similar young shoots of spelt, kamut and barley. Wheatgrass is full of numerous vitamins, including A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6 and K, and nutrients, such as zinc, selenium, calcium and chromium. Fans of wheatgrass tout its nourishing and restorative attributes and its ability to detoxify the blood, liver and colon. Juice bars have long been adding wheatgrass to smoothies, and health-conscious cafes and bakeries cook wheatgrass right into their muffins and pastries.

Hemp

There are a lot of misconceptions about hemp. Most people associate the word "hemp" with a variety known as "cannabis sativa" that has high levels of THC, which is a psychoactive drug. However, industrial hemp is a different variety that cannot be used as a recreational drug. In fact, hemp has been used for centuries to make fiber, paper, fabric, oils and medicines. Hemp also contains high levels of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are thought to maintain hormone balance, skin health and a strong immune system. Hemp seeds are an amazing source of protein---which makes up to 25 percent of their chemical composition---and they contain beneficial minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. Hemp oil lends a dark, nutty flavor to salads and sauces, and the seeds are a tasty treat reminiscent of pine nuts or sunflower seeds.

Cacao

Cacao beans are most closely associated with chocolate, but the raw versions can be eaten as a superfood due to their numerous health benefits. Cacao is a rich source of magnesium, which can help balance brain chemistry and build strong bones. It is also thought to contain natural monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme inhibitors that allow more serotonin and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain, leading to a feeling of contentment. This element of cacao may explain why so many people love chocolate. Cacao nibs, which are roasted and crushed beans, can be eaten by the spoonful as a pleasant nutty snack to provide nutrients, or they can be added to smoothies or baked goods for texture and mouthfeel.