real food Archives - Healthy Green Athlete Holistic Health and Sports Nutrition for Adult Athletes Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:24:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://www.healthygreenathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/sage-green-leaf.png real food Archives - Healthy Green Athlete 32 32 181752975 Top 5 Natural Grounding Foods https://www.healthygreenathlete.com/nutrition/grounding-foods/ https://www.healthygreenathlete.com/nutrition/grounding-foods/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2021 22:17:13 +0000 https://www.healthygreenathlete.com/?p=4072 Top 5 Natural Grounding Foods The food that we eat provides us with more than the nutrients to fuel our bodies and ensure that our cells are getting the nourishment that we need. Food that is derived from nature can also provide us with emotional, physical, or energetic benefits. This concept is referred to as food energetics and is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. This idea also extends to “Grounding Foods“, these are the foods that mostly grow underground and can help you feel physically and emotionally balanced and in control.  The environmental conditions that are present when a plant or animal is alive can influence the effects on humans when they consume them. The way in which we process these foods (i.e. cooking) can also influence their effect on the human body. I understand that in these fast-paced times, most of us are feeling out of balance and not really able to connect with our kind and body. That is why, our food should be helping us in getting more grounded and balanced. This is where grounding foods come in. By incorporating these natural foods into our diet, we can ensure that we are taking every step that we can to help our bodies feel and perform their best. Here’s a list of my personal favorite 5 all-natural grounding foods. 1. Foods that grow under the ground According to food energetics and Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods that grow in the ground provide humans with the greatest grounding benefits.  Roots provide a deep connection to the earth that they grow in. The job of roots in nature is to anchor plants into the Earth and that’s the same role they play in the human body. Root vegetables are easily available in the fall season and can help you feel grounded and balanced during the hectic winter holidays. 1. Root vegetables (onions, beets, carrots, garlic, and sweet potatoes) 2. Maca root 3. Ashwagandha root While we are on the topic of Ashwagandha root check out this article: Top 9 Ashwagandha Health Benefits 2. Foods that grow on top of the ground Similar to roots, vegetables that grow on top of the soil have a direct connection with the Earth and yield grounding properties to those who consume them. These are also great to help you feel great and energized. Examples of grounding foods that grow on top of the ground include: 1. Mushrooms 2. Cabbage 3. Broccoli 4. Cauliflower 5. Squash 3. Teas, tinctures and extracts made from roots Roots that aren’t often consumed as food can be used to make teas, tinctures, and extracts that provide humans with calming energy and can assist with ailments of the lower body (digestive and reproductive systems). If harvesting your own roots to use to make tea, make sure to use the whole root and avoid using roots from plants that have been sprayed with pesticides.  You can also purchase dried roots from a reputable herb retailer (my favorite is this one for bulk herbs and this one for smaller quantities).  Here is a short list of my favorite grounding herbs along with their other benefits: 1. Astragalus root – used to promote healing, reduce fatigue and boost overall vitality. 2. Dandelion root – used to promote digestion and support liver health. 3. Licorice root – assists with digestion and detoxification. 4. Marshmallow root – supports gastrointestinal health (including healing a leaky gut) and healthy kidney function. 5. Kava root – traditionally used to support emotional balance and promote relaxation. 4. Spices derived from roots and rhizomes A rhizome is similar to a root in that it is part of a plant that grows underground but the botanical definition is that it’s a stem that grows under the ground, (also known as a creeping rootstalk or rootstocks), and then the roots grow out from that stem.  Common rhizomes that are often used as spices include ginger and turmeric.  A less common rhizome that is used in Asian cuisine is galangal which is related to ginger but its flavor is stronger and more zingy.    Other spices that are derived from the roots of plants include celery root, horseradish, and garlic. 5. Naturally red colored foods The color red represents the root chakra which is the energy center associated with safety, security, and grounding. Root vegetables are great for balancing this chakra, but you can take the benefits even further by incorporating tomatoes, strawberries, red potatoes, red onions, cherries, and beets.  Red meat from beef, bison, and buffalo is another red food that is naturally grounding, especially if the animal is chemical-free, grass-fed, and raised in a free-range environment.   Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying Quality Animal Protein Check out these grounding recipes: Grounding Beef Stew Ashwagandha Turmeric Latte If you are looking for more healthy tips and recipes check out my blog on 3-Day Smoothie Cleanse.

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Top 5 Natural Grounding Foods

The food that we eat provides us with more than the nutrients to fuel our bodies and ensure that our cells are getting the nourishment that we need. Food that is derived from nature can also provide us with emotional, physical, or energetic benefits. This concept is referred to as food energetics and is derived from traditional Chinese medicine.

This idea also extends to “Grounding Foods“, these are the foods that mostly grow underground and can help you feel physically and emotionally balanced and in control.  The environmental conditions that are present when a plant or animal is alive can influence the effects on humans when they consume them. The way in which we process these foods (i.e. cooking) can also influence their effect on the human body.

I understand that in these fast-paced times, most of us are feeling out of balance and not really able to connect with our kind and body. That is why, our food should be helping us in getting more grounded and balanced. This is where grounding foods come in. By incorporating these natural foods into our diet, we can ensure that we are taking every step that we can to help our bodies feel and perform their best.

Here’s a list of my personal favorite 5 all-natural grounding foods.

1. Foods that grow under the ground

Root vegetables with grounding benefits

According to food energetics and Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods that grow in the ground provide humans with the greatest grounding benefits.  Roots provide a deep connection to the earth that they grow in. The job of roots in nature is to anchor plants into the Earth and that’s the same role they play in the human body. Root vegetables are easily available in the fall season and can help you feel grounded and balanced during the hectic winter holidays.

1. Root vegetables (onions, beets, carrots, garlic, and sweet potatoes)

2. Maca root

3. Ashwagandha root

While we are on the topic of Ashwagandha root check out this article: Top 9 Ashwagandha Health Benefits

2. Foods that grow on top of the ground

broccoli in a bowlSimilar to roots, vegetables that grow on top of the soil have a direct connection with the Earth and yield grounding properties to those who consume them. These are also great to help you feel great and energized. Examples of grounding foods that grow on top of the ground include:

1. Mushrooms

2. Cabbage

3. Broccoli

4. Cauliflower

5. Squash

3. Teas, tinctures and extracts made from roots

Green tea in a cup with glass teapot in the background on a black tableRoots that aren’t often consumed as food can be used to make teas, tinctures, and extracts that provide humans with calming energy and can assist with ailments of the lower body (digestive and reproductive systems). If harvesting your own roots to use to make tea, make sure to use the whole root and avoid using roots from plants that have been sprayed with pesticides.  You can also purchase dried roots from a reputable herb retailer (my favorite is this one for bulk herbs and this one for smaller quantities).  Here is a short list of my favorite grounding herbs along with their other benefits:

1. Astragalus root – used to promote healing, reduce fatigue and boost overall vitality.

2. Dandelion root – used to promote digestion and support liver health.

3. Licorice root – assists with digestion and detoxification.

4. Marshmallow root – supports gastrointestinal health (including healing a leaky gut) and healthy kidney function.

5. Kava root – traditionally used to support emotional balance and promote relaxation.

4. Spices derived from roots and rhizomes

Spices with a grounding effectA rhizome is similar to a root in that it is part of a plant that grows underground but the botanical definition is that it’s a stem that grows under the ground, (also known as a creeping rootstalk or rootstocks), and then the roots grow out from that stem.  Common rhizomes that are often used as spices include ginger and turmeric.  A less common rhizome that is used in Asian cuisine is galangal which is related to ginger but its flavor is stronger and more zingy.   

Other spices that are derived from the roots of plants include celery root, horseradish, and garlic.

5. Naturally red colored foods

Tomatoes and cilantro in a bowl on a wooden cutting board with a wooden backgroundThe color red represents the root chakra which is the energy center associated with safety, security, and grounding. Root vegetables are great for balancing this chakra, but you can take the benefits even further by incorporating tomatoes, strawberries, red potatoes, red onions, cherries, and beets.  Red meat from beef, bison, and buffalo is another red food that is naturally grounding, especially if the animal is chemical-free, grass-fed, and raised in a free-range environment.  

Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying Quality Animal Protein

Check out these grounding recipes:

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