More Nutrients? Just Add Water!

Have you been making different choices in your foods? Are you trying to increase the nutrition you supply your body by eating more raw nuts and whole grains? Good for you!

Now let’s look at how you can boost the absorption of these nutrients so that you get even more benefit without adding another food.

What do nuts, grains, and legumes all have in common? They are seeds that hold dormant within them everything needed to grow a new plant and multiply themselves. Remember doing experiments with seeds in school – watching it sprout and begin to grow? That sprouted seed held a host of activated nutrients.

You can activate these nutrients in the nuts you eat by putting them in a jar filled with water for 7 hours. Drain the nuts, spread them on a towel and pat them dry, then store them in the refrigerator in a glass jar. If you prefer to take them with you, it’s best to dry them completely in a dehydrator or low-temp oven.

Place seeds or grains in a jar willed with warm water and 1 tablespoon of whey (liquid from yogurt) or lemon juice. Keep the jar on the kitchen counter for 24-48 hours, watching for the little sprout to appear. Spread the sprouted seeds or grains on a cookie sheet to dry in the over, or place in a dehydrator. Look for Ezekiel Bread in your grocer’s freezer section to try bread made with sprouted grains, which provides 4g of protein per slice.

If you avoid eating legumes (beans) because of issues with gas, soaking the beans for at least 12 hours with vinegar in the water will remove the enzymes and trisaccharides that cause the gas and make their minerals more available in digestion. Adding seaweed, such as kombu or wakame, to the soak water will increase nutrition, and improve digestion and flavor.

Once again, why would you want to soak or sprout your nuts, grains and legumes?

• to remove/reduce phytic acid and tannins for improved nutrient absorption
• to encourage production of beneficial enzymes
• to increase vitamins, especially B vitamins
• to make proteins more readily available for absorption
• to prevent mineral deficiencies and bone loss

Improving the nutritional support of your foods doesn’t always mean changing your foods. Sometimes it means changing the way you prepare your foods. Who knew it was as easy as adding water?