7 Raw Cleansing Foods That Can Satisfy You Too ...

One of my biggest health interests is the benefits of certain cleansing raw foods, which I think we could all probably stand to eat more of. The most positive benefits I have seen from eating more raw foods is how intensely satisfied I am, and how much clearer my thinking is. An even better bonus is how cleansing raw foods are. Cleansing isn’t about losing weight, though it can be tied to that. Cleansing the body and mind is about ridding them from anything that weighs you down, whether that be emotional or physical. To utilize the power of certain cleansing raw foods and how they can change your mind and body, try eating some of my favorites here that I’m sharing with you. When you start to feel the amazing benefits of eating raw foods, and how they change everything about your body and brain, you’ll wish you had started years ago!

1. Spinach

Spinach may be a common leafy green, but don’t underestimate it since it is one of my favorite cleansing raw foods of all. For starters, it is rich in chlorophyll, which cleanses the blood, digestive tract, brings oxygen into our cells and brains, and quells anxiety and inflammation. Spinach is also rich in folate, potassium, magnesium, fiber and Vitamins A, C and E. Spinach lowers your blood sugar, prevents and treats depression, and can help you lose weight when part of a healthy diet. It is rich in protein with 5 grams per cup and contains a multitude of B vitamins to give you energy, help you focus and keep your digestive tract healthy. Spinach has a slightly sweet taste, which makes it the perfect salad green, addition to smoothies, or pureed into soups, stews or baked dishes.

2. Kale

Kale is another one of my favorite mood-boosting cleansing leafy greens to eat. Kale is rich in magnesium, one of the most cleansing and calming minerals to the body. It lowers stress due to its effect on the nervous system, and provides an array of calming properties to the stomach because it relaxes the muscles in your digestive tract. This helps keep you regular and prevent constipation. Kale is also rich in fiber, chlorophyll, plant protein, and eating it just makes you feel better. It tastes great in a massaged kale salad with some hemp seed or olive oil, Himalayan sea salt, lemon juice and herbs and spices like oregano and black pepper.

3. Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids and you should not be scared of fatty acids found in amazing raw foods like hemp seeds. In fact, the fats in seeds like hemp, chia and flax actually help cleanse the body and a low fat diet can cause constipation and depression. Hemp seeds are wonderful to boost your energy, clear your mind, calm you down, and enhance your ability to focus. They are also excellent for your heart. They are rich in magnesium, potassium, zinc, fiber, iron, and even protein, with 11 grams per three tablespoons. I always include hemp in my raw energy bites and protein bars. You can buy them online or in health food stores anywhere. As an extra bonus, hemp seeds can even clear up acne due to their healthy fats and Vitamin E content. They offer a delicious nutty tastes and I find them easier to digest than denser foods like nuts and beans.

4. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are so incredible that I wish I had started eating them earlier. Chia seeds are a powerful superfood that satisfies you, fills you, and cleanses you. Their fiber content helps to fill you up and regulate you, and their omega 3 fatty acid content helps to prevent depression, conquer heart disease, and treat low blood sugar. These fats are also excellent for cleansing your blood, which we are now finding more about through recent research. Chia seeds are another top source of the powerful mineral magnesium, and they contain more potassium than most fruits and vegetables, plus more antioxidants than foods we are more familiar with, such as blueberries. Use chia seeds anywhere you can. I like to think of them as “nature’s sprinkles.” Black or white chia seeds are both equal in nutrition, so buy whichever ones you like, though many people prefer white for aesthetic appeal in foods, but I’m not quite that picky! Just one tablespoon with a morning meal can hold you over for hours at a time because chia seeds swell in the digestive tract, regulate your blood sugar, and help prevent hypoglycemia. They’re also super cleansing since they scrub the walls of your digestive tract and remove wastes, while still being easy to digest.

5. Coconut

Raw coconut is so excellent for you and if you’re not eating it, I hope you’ll start! Aside from the metabolism-boosting fats that coconut has, which are reason enough to eat it, coconut is also a wonderful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal food. It fights off yeasts, parasites, and helps to prevent sugar cravings. I eat it liberally each day, from shredded raw coconut (unsweetened and organic) in my energy bars and bites, to coconut flour in my gluten-free breads, and I use coconut oil in smoothies and to cook veggies with. If you’re not fond of coconut, try finding new ways to use it. I find that coconut flour is less prominent in coconut flavor, which makes it a great place to start. Coconut is also high in fiber, which helps to cleanse the digestive tract, and it is a wonderful mood-boosting food.

6. Wheatgrass Juice

Wheatgrass is scary to many people, so I understand why more of us don’t use it like we should. Yet, though wheatgrass sounds like some crazy hippie food, it has actually been used for centuries, dating back to the 1800s when it was used to treat gout, constipation, depression, arthritis, blood pressure, sugar cravings, low blood sugar and cystitis. It is rich in Vitamins A, C and E, and minerals like magnesium and potassium. It can regulate cravings and also help prevent hypoglycemia. You can buy wheatgrass powder, juice, or make you own with wheatgrass sprouts at home. I use the powder in my smoothies and though the color and smell is stout, if you give it a good flavor boost such as berries, stevia or cacao, you never taste it, but you sure do feel it! You’ll have loads of energy, more ability to focus and your joints will feel amazing. Wheatgrass is especially good if you have digestive issues, helping to cleanse toxins from the body and ward off yeasts and parasites. Use one tablespoon per day of the powder or about 2 ounces of juice for best results.

7. Spirulina

Have you heard of spirulina? Spirulina is my favorite superfood of all. It is rich in Vitamin A, iron, fiber, Vitamin B 12 and is the top source of protein of all foods on Earth per ounce. This sea veggie is so powerful you only need about one tablespoon per day to reap the benefits. Spirulina satisfies your appetite, helps reduce aging and acne, enhances your ability to focus, cleanses the body of toxins, regulates digestion and personally, it is so energizing, I feel like I could run a marathon after I eat it! Use it in smoothies, sprinkle it on salads or even put it in your homemade energy bars. It lends a lovely green color that turns some people away, but I always say, “The greener, the better!”

Cleansing foods don’t only help you keep your body in top shape, but also your brain, which is just as important! Plus, most cleansing foods are also great anti-aging foods and help prevent those nasty junk food cravings we all get! Eat more of them however you can, whenever you can! What are your favorite foods that keep you full and that are good for you?