Picture and article credit Live Wild and Free.
This raw superfoods Acai Bowl is jam-packed with nutrient-dense, raw, plant-based superfoods that will keep you feeling satisfied and energized throughout your day. Superfoods expert David Wolfe says that by incorporating superfoods into your diet you will have “more energy, you’re more alert, your brain works better, you’re more innovative, your ideas come quicker [and] your wit is sharper”. He is referring to foods that have “the most extraordinary content of vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, amino acids [and] protein”and come from sources that are “all plant based, easy to eat… taste good and provide extraordinary nutrition”.*
The Max Planck Institute, discovered that at least 50% of the protein in food is destroyed when cooked. David Wolf says, “therefore [raw] superfoods, plant-based protein sources, are going to be a key food of the future because we can get all of the protein we need from those sources. They are undamaged by heat and they are completely absorbable.” This means that they require far less energy to be liquefied and as a result go directly into your cells. In contrast, an animal based-protein like steak, for example, requires a massive amount of energy to liquify in order to be absorbable by your digestive system.**
The superfood acai, a purplish-black berry from South America, has gained superfood notable status, which is no surprise as they are loaded with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, protein and fiber. In this recipe I have used a wonderful freeze dried acai berry powder. This recipe also includes healthy fat from coconut butter and high protein raw, plant-based sources including pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds and spirulina.
Spirulina was consumed in Mexico City as the primary protein source for 5,000 years. It is the highest protein content food in the world.** Spirulina a nutrient-rich algae powder that is high in antioxidants, iron (as much as red meat), calcium, and essential fatty acids (especially omega-3). Spirulina is also a complete protein source, meaning that it contains all eight essential amino acids, and eighteen amino acids in total. It consists of 65-71% protein which is the highest concentration of protein found in any food. In fact, one gram of spirulina protein is four times more absorbable than the same gram of protein in beef! And if all of the listed health benefits of spirulina didn’t put a smile on your face, then you may be happy to know that consuming spirulina is linked to the increase of serotonin levels – the happiness hormone – in the brain.***
This Raw Superfoods Acai Bowl is topped off with the addition of sun-dried organic raw goji berries. Goji berries have been used in Asian herbal medicine for over 5,000 years and are one of the most nutrient rich foods in existence. It is also an excellent plant-based source of iron, protein, contains essential amino acids and is rich in vitamins A and C.****