Spinach and Kale

   I buy packaged baby spinach / baby kale mix. It is one of my favorite combinations of dark leafy greens. Most know that dark leafy greens are good for you, but these two together provide a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Both are rich in Vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K, and minerals like manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, potassium and even calcium.

   Both greens are modest in calories, but each calorie is very dense in nutrition.  There are more than a dozen different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Kale has many of the same properties and even more Vitamin K than spinach. Kale has at least 45 different antioxidant flavonoids. This is likely to be the key to kale’s cancer preventive benefits.

   I am not sure how much Popeye knew about his favorite food, but the truth of it was not far off. Both spinach and kale are superfoods, delivering vast nutrition, great health benefits and good taste. While I don’t think it will allow you to pick up large objects, like Popeye did, it will make you healthier and stronger.

   When it comes to kale, I choose the younger, smaller leaves. They are more tender and have a more mild flavor than the larger leaves. Older kale can be bitter. I tend to shy away from bitter foods. Mixing the baby kale with baby spinach makes for a mild and delicious serving of the vital greens.

   One caveat though, both spinach and kale contains oxalates. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems, this is especially true for persons with existing and untreated kidney and gallbladder problems. Persons with existing and untreated kidney and gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating spinach and kale. Oxalates occur in many foods. Our bodies even create them. So you should not be afraid to eat spinach or kale unless you suffer from the afflictions previously mentioned or eat a lot of high oxalate containing foods.

 

   Good food and good health to you.

Can Gluten Free Diets Make You Sick?

   It is possible that gluten free diets can make those people sensitive to substances other than or in addition to gliadin (the gluten found in barley, rye and wheat) feel unwell or even worse. It is possible that gluten free products contain other things that make you sick. Not because they are gluten free, but because you may be sensitive to the sugars or other things in gluten free products. They are usually loaded with various sugars and other starches. So, can a gluten free diet make you sick? I don’t think so. A better answer would be to find out what really bothers you and work from there. We shouldn’t just assume that gluten is the problem for every gastrointestinal ailment.

   Other dietary triggers that can potentially cause gastrointestinal symptoms can include lactose and casein from dairy products, certain preservatives and poorly digested carbohydrates known as FODMAPS. If you are sensitive to gliadin, there has been some research done on cross-reactivity, where your body reacts to peptides similar to wheat gluten. However, as with most studies, there are conflicting results and theories.
   Since gluten is found in grasses and grains, their effect can range from non-toxic to initiating auto-immune responses (such as celiac disease). Even cutting out all grains might not solve your stomach issues, if the real culprit is dairy, or one of the many FODMAPS.
   This further reinforces that we are all different. There is no blanket treatment or diet. There is no one answer that fits all. We can do our best to be tested, if possible, and proceed with caution. I would still suggest eating real food, limit manufactured or processed foods and those foods that contain so many chemicals that you need a Masters in chemistry just to figure out what you are placing in your mouth.
   If you are suffering, I hope that you find relief soon. Take care and may you find and maintain good health.