I healed my body naturally from chronic disease, and in the process lost over 60 pounds, without drugs, deprivation or surgery. Along the way, I discovered that some foods are healing and have the ability to promote health within our bodies, while others can actually cause harm and create weight gain.
Here are some of my personal favorite healing foods that can promote health and support natural weight loss.
1. Broth
When my body broke down, I was bedridden for weeks. As part of my journey back to health, I felt very fortunate to discover the healing power of broth.
Broth can be made easily by cooking chopped organic vegetables in water, until they are super soft. (Bonus points if your vegetables are also local!) Leave six hours or overnight. Then drain the liquid, heat it up, and voila! Your soup broth is ready to drink. Add sea salt and pepper for taste if you want.
You can eat the cooked vegetables seasoned with fresh herbs. (You can also add fish, meat or grains to your broth depending on your preferences.) This can be very healing for your body, since it's easy to digest, and also hydrating.
2. Extra virgin coconut oil
Many health experts agree that coconut oil is as close to a superfood that you can get. High in lauric acid (found naturally in breast milk), extra virgin coconut oil is anti-aging, moisturizing, and healing. It's the only oil that you should ever cook with since it stays stable when heated to high temperatures.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is produced through the fermentation of fresh apple cider. It's a rich source of minerals (particularly potassium), vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. Apple cider vinegar is a potent and versatile healing substance and can be applied topically or diluted and taken internally.
Always choose good quality apple cider vinegar made from organically grown apples and aged in wooden barrels. It should be pungent and when held up to the light, you should be able to see a cobweb like formation, called the “mother” suspended in the liquid. It's evidence of the vinegar’s naturalness.
4. Cinnamon
It may be hard to believe that something that tastes so delicious is also so good for your body. Eating cinnamon has the ability to regulate your blood sugars, which is an important part of the weight loss process. Generously sprinkle cinnamon on your cereal or add it to your smoothies for a flavor injection.
5. Lemons
Lemons are naturally detoxifying and have an alkalizing effect on your body. This makes them an ideal weight loss food. Each day upon waking, drink a glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon. For a delicious, yet healthy taste, squeeze fresh lemon juice onto your food just before serving.
6. Fresh juices
Drinking a selection of fresh fruit and vegetable juices in your day, your body will certainly feel the benefit. Fresh juices are a powerful way to increase your intake of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. You can juice most fruits and vegetables. I try to choose the greenest, water-rich and most alkalizing ones for my own juices, using some (or all!) of the following: spinach or cucumber, celery, pears, apples, ginger and lemon.
7. Fresh greens and vegetables
I encourage you to try a wide variety of fresh greens and vegetables to find all the ones you like. Always eat your greens according to the seasons. Some of my favorites are baby spinach, parsley, basil green leaves, broccoli, celery, cucumber, and chard.
Healing foods are found everywhere in nature.
Always listen to your body and let it guide you. Your body knows best how to heal itself naturally. Eating healing foods will help.
I hope that this article inspires you to start eating more fresh, local foods so that you can experience the incredible joy that comes from feeling healthy and losing weight naturally, without diets, deprivation or restrictions. If you'd like to learn more about healing your body, mind and emotions, please click here to download a free chapter of my book, Losing Weight is a Healing Journey.
