Three Ancient Foods to Help You Lose Weight

Most of us know the basic nutrition needs to help us safeguard our health and maintain a healthy weight, but what most of us don’t know is that there are three ancient foods that can help you maximize the amount of nutrients you get in your daily diet and help you lose weight.

Chia seeds, goji berries, and maca root may not be words in your daily vocabulary, but you may want to add them to your daily diet. 

The chia seed is an Aztec superfood that was eaten by Aztec warriors in Central Mexico.

If Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia resonates through your mind right now, thank the creators of the Chia Pet. Remember the clay animals with chia seeds sprouted all over their bodies that every kid had to have in the eighties?

On a serious note, the chia seed is one of the most powerful, functional and nutritious superfoods in the world. It has an excellent source of omega fatty acids, an easily digestible form of protein and is full of minerals, vitamins and soluble fiber. It contains more natural antioxidants than flaxseed and is an excellent source of dietary fiber and calcium.

Chia seeds can help you lose weight because they reduce cravings by absorbing water, expanding in your stomach and making you feel full. They have a high soluble fiber level, which helps release natural, unrefined carbohydrate energy slowly into the bloodstream.

Chia seeds can be sprinkled on yogurt, cereal, mixed in smoothies, salads, or eaten right out of the bag. The crunchy seeds don’t really taste like much but that is what is so great about them. They basically take on the flavor of whichever food you’ve added them to.

Goji berries are a Himalayan superfruit and have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years. The goji berry is one of the most nutrient-rich foods on earth. It is a vegetarian form of protein, packed with essential amino acids, rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Goji berries possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin, vitamin E, as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene.

The goji berry strengthens the immune system, provides antioxidant and anti-aging effects, protects the liver, builds strong blood, promotes cardiovascular health and supports eye health and improves vision.

This tasty treat can help you lose weight due to its fiber and chromium levels, which helps regulate blood sugar and in turn, reduces your cravings for not-so-healthy foods.

These sweet and tangy, raisin textured berries can be eaten by the handful, or added to smoothies, salads, desserts, yogurt, and granola.

Maca root is an Incan superfood used by indigenous Andean societies as a source of nourishment and healing for thousands of years. Maca nourishes the endocrine system and has been used as a stress-fighting adaptogen to increase stamina, boost libido and combat fatigue.

Grown in the mountains of the Peruvian Andes, maca is rich in proteins, starches, and important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. It contains numerous trace minerals, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, and 18 amino acids, including seven of the nine essential amino acids.

This butterscotch flavored root is a natural stimulant which may speed up the metabolism, burning more calories and creating weight loss over time.

You can use maca powder as a daily tonic added to a smoothie, or just add it to some chai tea and sip away. You can also mix it with yogurt, or add it to your favorite energy bar recipe for an extra energy boost.

Try incorporating one or all of these foods into your diet, and you will see and feel the benefits unfold.

You can purchase these foods at New Leaf in Felton. Nob Hill Foods in Scotts Valley currently sells goji berries in bulk and will soon carry chia seeds and maca powder.