Snack as Medicine

I'm growing more and more fond of the idea that food is medicine.  Healthy food can supply your body with the nutrients that can help it fight off whatever disease it's exposed to.  To this end, here's a snack idea I came across:

• 1/2 avocado with 1/2 cup saurkraut 
• 1 cup kefir with 1T ground flax seeds and 1t unsweetened cranberry concentrate

Avocado - did you know that avocados have 60% more potassium than bananas?  Also, vitamins B, E, and K.  It also supplies good fat as well as 2 grams of soluble fiber per 1/2 avocado. It is soothing for the whole digestive tract.

Saurkraut - I didn't know this but apparently it has more beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) than yogurt!  It is also a good source of vitamin C and contain beneficial enzymes to aid in digestion.  Make sure you get the kind without vinegar and/or other preservatives.  I like "Bubbies" saurkraut.  It only has 3 ingredients:  cabbage, salt, and water. 

Kefir - (I like Helios Kefir)  It's like yogurt but better!  Provides lots of good bacteria that not only help you digest things, but helps fight off the "bad bugs".  Did you know that 70% of disease in the body begins in the gut?   If your gut is filled with garbage, then your blood is also filled with garbage.  Heal your gut and your body will follow!

Flax Seeds - contains omega 3's and a lot of fiber.  You should aim to get 2 Tablespoons of ground flax seeds per day.  I grind them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle it on cereal, put it in shakes or kefir, used as  breading for pan-fried things, or baked in muffins.  

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Concentrate - provides the health benefits of cranberries without the sugar.  It's good in kefir, but I also like to mix a small amount of it with Perrier or other sparkling water, and add some lemon or lime juice.  it makes you feel like you're drinking something special but it's still really good for you.

There you go!  A snack that's low in carbs and will help keep you healthy.  :-)