Top Nutritional Supplement #2
Do you drink coffee? Do you eat meat (including chicken chicken and fish)? How about sugar? C’mon, be honest! Surely you have the occasional chocolate bar, muffin, cookie or doughnut. Do you drink milk, eat cheese or yogurt? Do you drink alcohol, even moderately? Do you hate vegetables? Okay, okay. Hate’s a strong word. Will several days pass before you eat anything green? Or do you just find it hard to eat the amount of veggies that “the government” keeps telling you to eat. Do you love bread and other flour products like bagels, pizza, and pasta? Do you drink diet or regular pop? Do you take prescription medication? Are you stressed?
Hello!? Welcome to the life of Joe Average! If you answered yes to any of these questions, you definitely need the #2 Top Nutritional Supplement for Optimum Health—a Green Food Supplement. What the heck is that? Green food supplements are whole food supplements. They’re not synthetic, manufactured vitamins and minerals, but concentrated “real food,” derived from real food. And that’s good, because everyone knows that Mother Nature is the best manufacturer! Most contain wheat grass, barley grass, chlorella, blue-green algae, spirulina, and other concentrated whole herbs, plants, dehydrated vegetable and fruit juices and sprouts. You’re getting a whole whack of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. In fact, you’d probably have to eat eight heads of broccoli, drink five vegetable smoothies and basically bathe in a tub food of barley grass to get the good stuff that’s in one greens drink.
But the most important reason to add a greens supplement to your diet doesn’t have to do with nutrients. It has to do with your body’s PH. Rather than get into the super-scientific mumbo jumbo, let’s make it simple. The PH scale runs from zero to 14. The ideal PH of your blood is 7.4. Anything below 7.4 is acidic, anything above 7.4 is alkaline. Just like the Energizer Bunny, you need to be alkaline in order for your body to run properly.
What you eat, what you’re exposed to and what you do affects your body’s PH. Fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming in your body. Just about everything else you eat is acid-forming. Meat, dairy products, sugar, bread, coffee and tea—all the stuff I mentioned above cause your body to become acidic. Nuts, seeds and grains are neutral. Even stress (mental, physical, and electromagnetic) can make your body acidic. Well, if we’re actually living in this world today, you can see that the chances are we’ll be pretty acidic a lot of the time. That’s not good. Your body will do anything it can to keep your blood PH neutral, at 7.4, because if it veers away from that, you can lapse into a coma and die. Yikes! Don’t worry, your body is crafty and that will never happen. If your PH needs to be neutralized, it steals alkalinizing minerals and other stuff from bones, teeth and other areas. Unfortunately, that can mean calcium, for instance, is robbed from your bones to act as a PH buffer, and that can lead to osteoporosis.
So, alkaline is good. Acidic is bad. How bad? Really bad. Your body’s cells just don’t perform well in an acid environment. In fact, it’s the state that disease, especially cancer, thrives in. Keep your body alkaline, and you’re cutting your chances of getting cancer by a lot. When your body’s too acidic, not only are you opening the door to disease, but you age faster, your hair, skin and nails lose their tone and texture, mood declines, and so does energy level. That’s why people who eat the ol’ meat and potatoes diet, never touching a vegetable their entire lives (I have a brother-in-law like that—strict corn and potato man!), don’t have a lot of pep in their step. Atkins dieters often experience acidity because in an effort to reduce carbs, they often rely too much on protein at the expense of fruits and veggies. Consequently, they can suffer from kidney stones, headaches, bad breath and hair loss, not to mention bone loss.
There are lots of high-quality greens supplements on the market today. Greens+, Green Magma, Nu-Green, and Simmon’s Super Food are a few. The kind I use is called Perfect Food by Garden of Life. Greens supplements are in powdered form or in pill form. The powder is more absorbable. You can mix it in a smoothie or juice every morning. I’ll be honest and admit that some greens powders can taste like you’re eating your front lawn. Trust me, you get used to it. There are some good, flavoured varieties out there. Check out Greens+ Tangerine, for instance. Incidentally, I’ve talked to several people who said that after drinking their greens drink in the a.m., they eventually gave up coffee because the supplement gave them the huge energy boost they needed in the morning.
I’ll say it again: You want to be alkaline! I can’t stress it enough. It’s really, really important in this day and age. Your health depends on it. Your figure depends on it, too. In fact, if you want to lose weight you need to be alkaline. It’s next to impossible to lose weight when you’re in an acid state. Many people report that they lose weight almost without trying when they add a greens supplement to their diet. It gets everything humming! It injects your cells with energy and vitality!
If you or someone you know doesn’t eat the vegetables that they should be eating on a daily basis, get greens now!
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Jennifer | May 21, 2006 at 9:16 pm →
Is pushing a supplement really the answer though? I’ve found recipies through various sources that make my kid eat celariac, parsnips, beets, spinach and broccoli like they were candy.
Margo Stretch | May 21, 2006 at 10:59 pm →
My only concern with your comments about the greens supplement, is that I have always thought you could get too much even of the best foods in our diet. We aren’t meant to eat eight heads of broccoli, for example, so would the amount of nutrients we take in daily with a greens drink, have the potential to harm us by O.D’ing on even the good stuff? I am very interested in your recommendations, but that was one little red flag that went off as I thought about it. I’ve always taught my kids to learn to eat a wide variety of whole foods, and all things in moderation; that too much of anything is not good for us. I’d love to know more about this. Thanks so much for all your work, and for sharing what you’ve learned.
Janet Podleski | May 22, 2006 at 12:53 pm →
Thanks, Jennifer, for your comment. And I’ve just gotta say “Wow! Congratulations on being able to get your kids to eat parsnips and celeriac like they were candy. If only all mothers could do the same! I used to spit out parsley and turnips when my mom made them, and then I’d hide them in the drawer of our kitchen table, pretending I ate them up so I could get dessert. Of course, the best way to get your nutrients is to get them from the food you eat. Period. I’m a firm believer in Hippocrates’ famous saying “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” It sounds like you and your family are eating very healthfully, with lots of variety, so you wouldn’t need the help of a greens supplement.
I’d never want to push supplements on anyone. The problem is that most people that I talk to (I’d say 80% of people), don’t eat very well at all. Not only do they not eat vegetables every day, but they eat a lot of foods that drain the body of nutrients–things like caffeine, sugar, trans fat, aspartame and preservatives. And don’t forget that stress is very nutrient-depleting, too. I’m just trying to be realistic. If someone knows they hate vegetables or just don’t eat them because they are too busy to cook or because they choose to eat fast food or prepared foods all the time, then a greens supplement would definitely help their situation. And remember that a greens supplement is actually a “whole food,” derived from the real stuff. So it’s a good, convenient choice for those who, for whatever reason, just don’t eat any greens (or reds or yellows or oranges).
Keep up the good work, Jennifer! (Maybe you should divulge your secret recipe that makes parsnip taste so good!)
Janet Podleski | May 22, 2006 at 4:11 pm →
This is a message for Margo in response to your comment/question above about greens supplements. In my last blog, when I said that you’d have to eat eight heads of broccoli and bathe in a tub full of barley grass to get the nutrients that are in one green drink, I guess I assumed that you’d know I was joking a bit. You’ll have to forgive me for my tendency to exaggerate–it’s been a personality trait of mine since childhood! A good greens supplement will give you the nutrients of 5-10 servings of vegetables, according to most of the websites on greens products that I checked. Of course, as I stated above in my response to Jennifer, I’m a firm believer in eating a variety of whole, natural, nutrient-filled foods and I also believe that we should eat everything in moderation, just like you suggested. That’s the way to go, for sure. But where the greens supplement comes in handy is for those who just don’t eat the veggies and fruit that they should be eating on a daily basis. And that’s a lot of people, from what I can gather. It just seems that people are eating very poorly nowadays, so I think they could use a boost now and then. Even if you used a greens supplement only on days when you didn’t get your veggies, that would be a good idea.
As far as overdosing on nutrients by using a greens supplement, that would be very difficult to do. Remember that there are a whole host of things that are draining our bodies of nutrients daily (as I said above, things like caffeine, sugar, refined, processed foods, alcohol, stress, preservatives, etc.). Exercise and stress also demand nutrients. That’s why it’s so easy to become deficient in vitamins and minerals, etc. Believe me, most of us need help in the nutrient-department. I’m a huge advocate of eating as healthfully as we can, but there are days when we just don’t or can’t.
Keep teaching your kids about moderation, variety and whole foods. You’ll be doing them a world of good.
Margo | May 23, 2006 at 12:03 am →
Thank you, Janet, that helped a lot. I did know you were joking / exaggerating (obviously), however I needed assurance of approximately how many servings it would give, and I wouldn’t worry about 5 to 10. That sounds reasonable. I am just a bit cautious I suppose, since I do have a family member who tends to want to take too many supplements, taking at times over a dozen different ones and this has made me wonder at times whether that could be too much of a good thing. Also, I suspect some products are more potent than others. I’d definitely concur that most folks aren’t getting their 5 to 10 fruits and veggies. I’m constantly amazed even at the grocery store how other shoppers or the grocery clerks will remark about veggies, herbs etc. that I’m buying, perhaps not even knowing the name of some of them! I was told by my son’s kindergarten teacher 13 years ago, that I must be the meanest mom, because on their field trip to the grocery store, my son was the only one who could name the veggies!! Now, as a young adult, he makes very healthy choices and eats a wide variety of veggies and fruit, giving me hope for my three younger ones! I love to eat most healthy foods, but I also want to enjoy a stiff cuppa coffee once a day, and want to enjoy my fresh rhubarb pie too. And I exercise regularly and bear my share of stress. So… I’m certainly interested in using a greens supplement and look forward to checking it out. I appreciate your response!
Janet Podleski | May 23, 2006 at 11:12 am →
Hey Margo! You know, you sound like a great role model for your kids. It’s great that you try to eat really healthfully most of the time, but you still have the occasional piece of rhubarb pie and a stiff cup of coffee. Way to go! I, myself, am a sucker for chocolate. Just have to have it. I tell people that’s why my skin is so brown! And I’d be miserable if I was told I could never have it. If Greta and I preach one thing it’s the 80/20 rule: 80% of the time, try to eat nutritious, healthy grub, and 20% of the time, have whatever it is you’re craving–have an indulgence. That way, you’re not feeling deprived. It all balances out in the end and it’s an eating style that you can maintain for life. The problem is, most North Americans have that figure reversed–20% of the time, they’re eating healthfully and 80% of the time, they’re eating junk. It’s true! I know because I ask people all the time, and ask them to be honest with their response. So, Margo, you’re way ahead of the game! Congrats!
Jennifer | May 23, 2006 at 2:05 pm →
Ok, I was a bit confused there, I have all three of your books and have pushed them on my family members as great teaching tools to improve their own diets (two of whom are now also hooked). I was a bit stunned that you were recommending a supplement when your books seem to have a different slant (nutrition through healthier eating and education – my MIL will STILL call me with jokes from your books).
I’m really stunned at the statistics you provided. I had no idea the problem was that bad. Although, I watch “Honey We’re killing the kids” and am usually stunned by the bad habits that people have. I thought they were the exception.
Celariac- I will toss with a little oil, season and roast in a slow oven. They caramelize. Then, I’ll either serve them as a veggie, or mash with regular potato or steamed turnip. Or, I’ll steam with potatoes and mash them together. Some of the seasonings I use with it are thyme, rosemary and olive oil. Or I’ll just throw in a little sea salt.
Parsnips- I cut into “spears”, I may or may not add carrots or turnip to the mixture, toss with olive oil, honey and thyme. If I want to spice it up I use cumin, rosemary and a dash of olive oil. They turn into sweet french fries.
We love winter squash around here, we do the usual, bake in the oven with a bit of honey, or butter and mash.
My kid has always loved her veggies, I usually have a harder time getting her to eat meat and potatoes. She kills for fish though, which I hear is a rarity. Many times I’ll make a salmon fillet, and the husband and I have to start giving her chunks of ours beause she pounds it back so fast.
I love cooking (well, not right now, I’m 9 months pregnant and food currently is icky), I’m also a cookbook junkie! Keep writing them, I’ll keep buying them. Thanks for your reply!
Helen | May 23, 2006 at 7:33 pm →
I just want to say “THANK YOU” so much for writing these cookbooks! I use them regularly, and we are developing a long list of favorite meals.
This topic is very interesting to me because I have a 14 year old son who is growing very fast (so you would think he would be eating anything that wasn’t nailed down, right?) but he is an extremely picky eater. Part of it I have to take the blame for, because when he was younger I think I gave in to him and made the foods he liked more often than getting him to try new things. His sister is a little older and her tastes have changed so much that she tries almost anything and likes almost everything!
My son resists eating vegetables to the point that he will pick out anything green or anything that looks like it COULD be a veg from a meal to avoid eating it. He hates anything made “from a recipe” and likes only plain foods, nothing “mixed together” If he is hungry, he will pick out what he likes from a dish (pasta,chicken, etc) but he leaves all the veggies and sauces behind.
To top it off, he’s had chronic constipation problems since he was young. He knows that it’s due to his poor diet, but I think he’s just accustomed to it now and thinks his patterns are normal.
I do have some luck from time to time. he loves strawberries so I buy them the minute they appear in the store and all Summer long. He will drink smoothies, so I make them quite often for him with a while orange and half banana blended in. I’d love some more smoothie recpies to try.
I love the roasted tomato sauce recipe (can’t remember the title at the moment!) It’s the one that’s blended after roasting. He’ll eat it, but he still complains that it’s “from a recipe”
I’m using whole wheat pastas now (can someone tell me why it has to cost so much more than regular?) and I sneak ground fax seeds into anything that will hide it (cookies, muffins, breads)
I wonder if this Greens supplement would get past him in a smoothie. Are there other ways to use it in foods? Does it have a strong veggie or medicinal flavour?
I wish I knew the magic answer to getting this kid to eat more fruits and vegetables! He says he wishes we could just eat NORMAL food. I guess he’d love to be in one of those families where they are “killing their kids!”
Anyway, I know this was a bit of a rant, but I really wanted to post how much I love your cookbooks. I’m part of an online community where there is a thread that has over 400 postings about Eat Shrink and Be Merry. We are loving it!!
Margo | May 23, 2006 at 10:46 pm →
One little word of encouragement to you Helen: I have four children, and number two and four are fairly picky eaters, especially in the veggies department. Keep helping your son find veggies he will eat, maybe try the greens supplement and remember, one of my aunts favorite sayings: “This too shall pass.” You do the best you can as a mom, and before you know it, he’ll have to choose for himself. I for one, was a very picky eater as a child (and somewhat catered to, in the form of an always available peanut butter or bologna sandwich). We hadn’t even heard of many of the funky foods that are readily available nowadays. But like your son, I hated anything resembling a “casserole” ie. anything mixed up,(even pizza, until I was about 14, and believe me, I’ve tried to make up for my lack of pizza ever since!!) Even now, I steer clear of “mystery food” at church potlucks!! However, I have as an adult learned to love sooooo many wonderful foods, especially healthy ones, and my kids would call me a health fanatic, even though I have quite a sweet tooth. I eat tons of foods my mother won’t touch (how’s that for a turn around?). I’m still trying and learning to like new foods (recently acquiring a taste for cilantro, especially after reading it helps rid our bodies of heavy metals! That’s motivating!) But you see, it takes a certain level of maturity and personal responsibility to move yourself in the direction of health, and honestly (no criticism of your son!) most 14 yr old boys just aren’t there (in fact, many adults aren’t either). It’s a life-long journey, and hopefully he’ll put two and two together eventually, especially if his body is already giving him trouble. Keep lovin’ him and offer a wide variety of tastes, and try not to make it an all-out war over food. Just tell him you love him too much to let him just eat “normal” (aka “junk”) food. It is not easy raising healthy kids these days with so much junk surrounding them!
ps: We have tried a fruit and veggie chewable from Nutrilite (know any Amway / Quixtar distributors?) that my six year old will eat, and she IS picky. She doesn’t like other chewables, but she’ll eat that one.
Janet Podleski | May 25, 2006 at 6:32 pm →
Thanks you, Margo for your wonderful response and encouragement for Helen’s situation with her finicky 14-year old. I couldn’t have said it better! I remember the way I ate through my teenage years, and believe me, it was not pretty! I lived on sugar, sugar and more sugar, and ate slabs of barbequed steak big enough to feed a small village. But I was so athletic and active that I burned it all off and suffered no harm. Just like you said, as you mature, you start to care a bit more about what you put into your body, and also, your tastes change. Now I love the dishes that my Mom used to make–dishes that I used to slip to the family dog under the table when my Mom wasn’t looking. So Helen, there is hope for your son. Just keep trying, and yes, the greens supplement may help–especially with his digestive issues. It doesn’t have a strong taste. You can find a good flavoured one (try Tangerine flavoured Greens+), and put it into a smoothie. He won’t know what hit him!
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