The Mama Edna Project Newsletter, March 2015, by Miranda Yerrick, Nutritionist
This month, we are highlighting 10 of what we feel are the most important and most nutritious staples in a juicing diet or simply a healthy cooking diet. Juicing and eating a rainbow of colors optimizes the nutrients available in a mostly plant-based diet. When cooking or juicing, be sure to add a few of these ingredients to your juices or meal planning menus alongside whatever other produce you decide upon. Happy Juicing!
Top 10 Juicing Ingredients for Healing Cancer
- Carrots
- Benefits – Carrots contain so many vitamins and minerals it is hard to pick a starting point. Carrots contain high levels of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K as well as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and carotenoids. The carotenoids found in carrots have been shown to inhibit cancer induction.
- How to juice – Some people believe that carrot juice is the supreme juice when it comes to healing cancer so there really isn’t a bad way to juice them! Carrot juice is amazing on its own or with an apple or an orange thrown in for a little sweetness.
- When to eat instead – Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked. Cooking carrots actually better releases their antioxidants and carotenoids into the body so I recommend steaming or even roasting with some herbs.
- Wheatgrass
- Benefits – Wheatgrass is somewhat of a super food. It contains about 13 vitamins, including antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, and all 20 amino acids as well as chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is great at boosting the immune system and as we have touched on before antioxidants generally have anti-inflammatory properties which fight cancer cells.
- How to juice – Wheatgrass typically needs a special juicer or at the very least a slow juicer. I have also had success tossing it in a blender or food processor, emptying it into a piece of cheesecloth and squeezing the juice out. Add a small handful of freshly cut wheatgrass to your typical green smoothie for an extra boost!
- When to eat instead – Juicing wheatgrass is probably the most common and best way to consume it but it can also be eaten raw if you would like. Try throwing a handful into your next salad or maybe even pasta.
- Ginger
- Benefits – Ginger, much like turmeric, contains many anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. Gingerols have been found to essentially help cancer cells kill themselves off. This means that the cancer cells die without harming the good cells in our bodies!
- How to juice – Ginger goes a long way when incorporated into juice. My favorite way to include ginger is to add about an inch long piece of the root to a nice carrot or green juice with some lemon. Lemon and ginger are a delicious combination.
- When to eat instead – Ginger can be consumed in many ways. Again, ginger is also used in Indian cuisine quite often so add some to your curry veggies along with turmeric or make a delicious salad dressing to spice up your greens. Lemon and ginger tea is also great especially if you are experiencing nausea or feel a cold coming on.
- Turmeric
- Benefits – Turmeric is a spice that has been used in India for thousands of years and it has incredible anti-inflammatory properties among other benefits due to its high curcumin content. Curcumin has been shown to prevent metastases of different forms of cancer. It comes as no surprise that turmeric is effective in healing cancer because of its anti-inflammatory properties, inflammation tends to be the mediator for most cancers.
- How to juice – Juicing turmeric can be tricky, it can become very bitter if too much is used. The best way and most pleasant tasting way to juice turmeric is to combine it with some greens, lemon, and cucumber. This recipe by The Food Babe is great, http://foodbabe.com/2013/01/29/turmeric-cooler-an-anti-inflammatory-juice/.
- When to eat instead – Turmeric is widely used in Indian cuisine so my favorite way to eat it is a big bowl of curry vegetables. Another great way to consume turmeric is in the form of a hot turmeric tea. Turmeric tea is basically just almond milk or any other milk substitute, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and other ingredients. This is a great recipe to follow! http://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/tea-time-with-turmeric/
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Benefits – Many dark leafy greens contain folate. Folate is a vital mineral that has been shown to prevent mutations of DNA which is what causes cancer.
- How to juice – Slow juicers are the only juices that are truly equipped to juice greens and not just turn them into pulp. Almost all of your juices should contain a significant amount of dark leafy greens.
- When to eat instead – Eat in a salad topped with fruits and even more vegetables. Try to use only a little bit of dressing or make your own, salad dressings tend to have a lot of fat and hidden sugar.
- Lemon
- Benefits – Lemons contain a phytochemical called limonoids. Limonoids have been shown to partially inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells and induce the death of breast cancer cells in lab studies.
- How to juice – Lemons can be juiced peeled or with the peel left on. I recommend buying organic if the peel will be left on. Lemons can really be added to just about any juice to boost the flavor but I think it pairs especially well with a juice that is abundant in leafy greens.
- When to eat instead – While most people do not just eat lemons, they are great added into different dishes or drinks. I personally like to add lemon to my water, tea, and lemon juice to homemade salad dressings.
- Beets
- Benefits – Beets contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and detoxifying properties. One antioxidant that is present in beets is benatin. In lab studies benatin has been shown to delay tumor cell growth in the colon, stomach, lungs, breasts, prostate and more.
- How to juice – When juicing beets you should always be sure to use the beet greens as well, they also contain just as many nutrients as the beet root themselves. Beets have a tendency to have a very earthy flavor so it is best paired with greens, an apple, and maybe some ginger to cut the earthiness.
- When to eat instead – Beets are delicious roasted or pickled. Roast some beets with fresh herbs and plenty of other root vegetables for a healthy side dish or throw some pickled beets on top of a salad.
- Pineapple
- Benefits – This one may be kind of surprising but pineapple contains high levels of bromelain which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling agent. One study shows when mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, is treated with bromelain, the cancer cells significantly died off.
- How to juice – When juicing with pineapple it is best to use fresh and to add a small amount to any juice that you may be consuming for the day. It may seem like a trend but it pairs well with green juice to add some sweetness!
- When to eat instead – Eat pineapple at any time! Make a giant fruit salad, eat it by itself, add to a smoothie.
- Apple
- Benefits – Apples are used in many juices as a flavor enhancer and to add a touch of sweetness. What you might not know is that apples have several antioxidants in them. One antioxidant that is found in apples, procyanidins, has triggered the death of cancer cells in lab studies.
- How to juice – Add an apple or two to your juices for a refreshing sweet flavor. Organic is preferred because the peel of the apple should be left on to increase vitamin and mineral content.
- When to eat instead – Apples are amazing any time of the day. They are a great snack to boost energy throughout the day, especially when paired with a small amount of fat such as peanut butter, nuts, or cheese.
- Celery
- Benefits – Celery contains a natural ingredient called apigenin, a cancer fighting compound also found in parsley and thyme. Mice were implanted with human breast cancer cells and the apigenin proceeded to slow the growth and shrink the cancer cells.
- How to juice – Celery is a great ingredient to add to your next juice. It adds a touch of saltiness and earthiness to your drink. This definitely pairs well with a green apple and some leafy greens.
- When to eat instead – Celery, much like apples, is a great snack to have anytime! Dice some up and throw it in a salad or throw some nut butter on a slice for a sweet and savory healthy snack.