Simply Nutrition

Pure Flavour Raw Chocolate bars...

I am a great fan of "Pure Flavour", a company producing wonderful free-from homemade produce. I blogged about Pure Flavour last year, when I met company founder Emma Slinn at the Glynde Food and Drink Festival. It is wonderful to see the company going from strength to strength, and they've just launched their new 50g size Mini "Raw" Chocolate Bars. Raw chocolate is made from raw cacao beans, which have not been heated or roasted in any way - preserving all the incredible chemicals & nutrients of the cacao bean. The taste of raw chocolate is truly divine. Pure Flavour's newsletter this month describes the many benefits of raw chocolate, and reminds us of the astounding fact that "cacao beans contain over 300 chemically identifiable compounds making it one of the most complex food substances on Earth!". Pure Flavour also reveal other amazing secrets of this natural wonder-food...

Good news for athletes

UK Sport (the organisation that helps lead UK sport to world-class standard) has eased it's position with regard to certain food supplements. An article published today on Nutraingredients.com, highlights the changing attitudes of the lottery-funded agency, who now says supplements such as whey protein, isotonic drinks, creatine and multivitamin and mineral complexes are safe (in most cases). UK Sport made the announcement last week in conjunction with a new product testing service being offered by a UK-based third party testing service, called HFL Sports Science. The foods supplement industry and sports regulatory bodies have both been informed of this new testing service, called "Informed Sport". I am sure many more companies aiming their products at the fast-growing Sports Nutrition market (and especially with Bejing and London 2012 Olympics in sight), will be taking prompt steps to get their products appropriately tested, ensuring they contain no substances on the current WADA List of Prohibited Substances. The current list is available HERE. Athletes too, must make sure they...

Newest Research On Why You Should Avoid Soy

The benefits (or not) of soy/soya is something that could certainly be better understood and clarified, so that you, the consumer can make better informed decisions about the food choices you make. As ever, there is continual conflicting reports about the health benefits, versus the dangers, of soya and soya-based foods. Processed soya, soy protein powders, and soya milks are not healthy foods - all are heavily processed. Relentless promotion from the food industries (in this case the soy industry) versus the reported (and un-reported) scientific literature is predominantly the cause of food scares and confusion - one organisation or authority says one thing, the other, the complete opposite - no wonder the public is in a muddle! I am most concerned with helping people find their optimum health and true potential via eating non-processed food first and foremost, eating as close to a plant-based diet as possible, being active, finding happiness within themselves, and finding some sense of purpose and spirituality in their lives. SO, with regard to soya "Yes or No", I suggest you read the following article, which is superbly written and researched, by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig P.hD. Then make up your own minds on the subject of soya. Those who supplement with soy protein isolate, scroll down and see just how this is produced!

Raw chocolate, lime & pumpkin seed energy bars...

… with sesame seeds and raisins.

Delicious homemade natural raw energy bars, rich in protein, minerals and essential fats – this new recipe of mine combines raw chocolate (cacao), organic seeds, agave syrup and organic raisins, and the natural flavours of fresh lime zest and juice. These bars are perfect for any time of the day, eaten as a "fast" breakfast bar, or energy boosting snack. They are also ideal to eat as a pre or post workout snack and they’ll also work very well during long endurance events or training sessions, lasting 90 mins plus. These bars are particularly high in calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

Makes 3 bars
35g organic cacao nibs
50g organic pumpkin seeds

Almond, flax and raisin bar

I have been in the kitchen again "creating", and have made a perfect homemade natural “raw” energy bar. This is perfect for any time of the day, as a "fast" breakfast bar, or energy boosting snack. It is also ideal to eat as a post workout snack and for the athletes out there, it will work very well during long endurance events or training sessions. It is very high in the alkalising minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium and also naturally contains high amounts of vitamin E (an important antioxidant), fibre and the omega-3 fatty acid ALA – all-in-all a very healthy bar, and delicious too! By the way, this is so quick to make!

Makes one large bar to cut in half
30g raw almonds
20g flaxseeds (linseeds)
15g raisins (use natural organic unglazed or unsweetened raisins)
10g agave syrup or honey
1 good tsp of Tahini

It's Official! Organic Foods Are More Nutritious

Evidence continues to build that a) the nutrient density of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables has been steadily declining, and b) organic foods are indeed more nutritious than non-organic. Since 2001 more than 40 new studies have been published comparing the nutrient value of conventionally produced and organic foods. The Organic Center, in the US, has recently produced a report detailing the results of their analysis of 97 published, peer-reviewed research, which compared the nutrient levels of organic and conventionally grown produce. A total of eleven nutrients were examined:

A daily dose of "brainberries"

The dietary secrets to excellent brain health lie in the combination of polyphenols found in berries and fatty acids found in foods such as walnuts, and avocados. According to James A. Joseph, PhD (researcher in brain aging at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University), the antioxidant plant chemicals, or polyphenols found in blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, have a particularly complex relationship with long-chain fatty acids. Together, the potent mixture of polyphenols and fatty acids "fluidise" the nerve cell membrane. A combination of blueberries and walnuts, for example, make the membrane more responsive to a wide array of signals from neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine). The antioxidant effects of polyphenols, and the membrane fluidising effects of "good fats" provides a double-whammy approach to maintaining brain health.

So... try a daily brain-boosting helping of blueberries and walnuts, or raspberries and almonds, or avocado and pumpkin seeds, or strawberries and hazelnuts. Any of these combinations can be eaten in breakfasts, or in salads, or as desserts. There is no end to using your imagination with raw and wonderously healthy foods!