On Little Green cleanses, we go completely grain-free at dinner time. We do this to allow your body a break from digesting these harder-to-break-down foods. While you sleep, your body can put all your day’s nutrients to work fighting free radical cell growth and healing + strengthening your body instead of dealing with slow-to-digest grains.
But what about the rest of the day? Are grains getting you down?
This issue–like so much of health–is about bio-individuality. You might need a break from grains to let your gut heal. Grains are essentially seeds. At Little Green, we soak our grains to release the phytic acid, which is the property in grains that protects it from pests and disease. Our bodies have a hard time breaking that down, although soaking makes a big difference (as it releases the phytic acid) and makes digesting it much easier. Grains also contain hard to digest proteins and sugars. They can inhibit enzymes, which run every function that the body operates. BUT! This is not to say you should necessarily be avoiding grains completely! Just limit them within reason and in terms of what feels right for you.
Grains ARE an important source of nutrients. They contain many B vitamins (including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate) and minerals (iron, magnesium and selenium), as well as fiber. Fiber makes you feel fuller longer, which can be a great thing. They can also help control blood sugar, lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and reduce colon cancer risk.
If you decide to reduce your grain intake in general to feel “lighter” or to heal your gut, there are amazing options for breakfast. One of my favorites is smoothie bowls. On a Little Green cleanse we have recipes for açaí smoothie bowls, pitaya bowls, coconut chia pudding jars…the variations are endless and exciting and delicious.
Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
- 1 frozen pitaya packet can be found in frozen fruit section
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup Frozen strawberries
- shredded coconut toasted
- pepitas
- blackberries
- walnuts
Anne H Woodworth says
Hi, Christy. Had lunch with Kim this week. She told me all about Little Green. Great web site.