Hampstead Nutritionist Tracy White lists her top 10 foods packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fibre, fatty and amino acids.

Turmeric

Rich in antioxidants, it has amazing anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Proven to shrink tumours, it’s also beneficial for arthritis, heart and liver disease and diabetes, and is excellent for promoting good digestion, reducing high blood pressure, increasing healthy cholesterol levels. (may not be suitable for those on blood thinners, or with stomach ulcers)

Bone Broth

Liquid gold that dates back centuries in the treatment of illness and restoring digestive health, it contains collagen and the amino acids, proline and glycine that help heal the damaged cell walls of an inflamed gut. Boasting minerals that your body can easily absorb, such as sulphates and glucosamine, which help reduce inflammation, arthritis and joint pain, it’s also beneficial to those with allergies.

Lemon juice

This produces an alkalizing effect on the body. The more alkaline your body is, the healthier it is. A diseased state will only occur when your body PH is acidic. Lemons are also a great cleanser and help purify the blood, kidneys and liver. A diuretic they help flush out toxins and are a great source of Vitamin C, which supports immune function.

Chia Seeds

Rich in the Omega 3 fatty acids important for good heart and brain function they are a natural treatment for diabetes because they stabilize blood sugars and slow digestion. Packed with protein these gems have no cholesterol and are known to increase healthy cholesterol whilst lowering LDL and triglycerides. Packed with fibre they are brilliant for dieters as they cleanse the colon and keep you feeling fuller longer.

Seaweed

The most nutritionally dense plant on the planet, its composition is so close to human blood plasma, it’s excellent at purifying and regulating the blood.

Rich in chlorophyll, it’s a natural detoxifier and contains an iodine that maintains and supports healthy thyroid function. It’s also one of the richest sources of calcium, known to help prevent degenerative diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. It also stabilizes blood sugar and improves liver function.

Coconut Oil

Good fats are imperative for good brain health and supple joints. This raises the good cholesterol whilst lowering the bad and is great for the memory, helps to reduce heart disease as well as fighting off viruses and bacterial germs.

It’s brilliant for teeth, gums and sinuses. Used on skin and hair it gives a shine, and has to be top of the list of healthy cooking oils.

Macca

This Peruvian root vegetable from the brassica family enhances fertility and helps the body cope with stress. Rich in essential minerals selenium, calcium, iron and fatty acids, macca is excellent for hormonal balance and helps with PMS, hot flushes and menopausal symptoms.

Cacao Bean

Chocolate in its raw form has been nicknamed the “food of the Gods.” While the processed version has been heated, treated and loaded with sugar, raw cacao inspires clear mindedness and wakefulness, is extremely high in antioxidants and minerals, especially magnesium, and with over 300 identifiable compounds is among the most complex foods in nature.

Goji Berries

Used for centuries in Chinese medicine they contain 18 amino acids, including all 8 essential acids, 21 trace minerals, vitamins B1, B2, B6 & E. They are 13percent protein - extremely rare for any fruit, have more iron than spinach and contain the antioxidant zeaxanthin which is good for the eyes. Per ounce it has 500percent higher levels of vitamin C than oranges and 2-4 times the antioxidant content of blueberries. Of 8000 foods and herbs in history the goji is rated number one.

Honey and Bee Pollen

One of highest sources of live enzymes, it contains B vitamins, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, silicon, copper and zinc. High in antioxidants, bee pollen is an alkaline, considered one of nature’s complete foods. A rich source of protein, it contains all essential amino acids, vitamins A, B, C, D & E, over 5000 enzymes offering increased energy, stronger immune system, improved metabolism and memory function. Avoid using pollen if allergic to bee stings.

Visit tracywhitewellness.com

07979 421200