Glossary: Ingredients (D-F)

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DATES: high in glucose (a carbohydrate), dates supply the muscles and liver with necessary glycogen for sustained energy which makes them a great food to consume before, during or just after exercise. The most common dates on the market are Deglet Noor, Halawy (a.k.a. Halawi), Khadrawy, Zahidi, Thoory and Medjool (our favorite). You can find fresh. moist dates in most supermarkets, but if you are using dry dates, just soak them in water until soft, but not waterlogged. Dates are a terrific binder and gentle sweetener for raw food treats like Banana Hemp Protein Bars.

Try them in: Easy Chocolate Ice Cream

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DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Digestive enzymes breakdown the food we eat so it can be used as a source of nutrients and a source of energy. Every cell relies on the raw materials provided to the body by digestive enzymes. All the food and nutritional supplements you consume will not do any good if they are not sufficiently broken down and absorbed by the body. When shopping for digestive enzymes, look for these eight enzymes in your formula: Protease (responsible for digesting proteins in your food, which is probably one of the most difficult substances to metabolize), Amylase (responsible for digesting carbohydrates in food), Lipase (responsible for digesting fats in food), Cellulase (responsible for breaking down fiber), Maltase (responsible for taking the complex sugar found in malt and grain products and changing it into glucose), Phytase (helps with digestion in general and it is especially effective in producing vital nutrients of the B-Complex), Sucrase (responsible for digesting the sugars that are found most foods) and if you are consuming dairy you will want Lactase (responsible for digesting the milk sugar found in products). When we eat cooked food here at YumUniverse, we always try to take our digestive enzymes, too.

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Dulse: is a red seaweed with flat, fan-shaped fronds that grows from the temperate to frigid zones of the Atlantic and Pacific. Dulse makes a great addition to salads. This alkaline vegetable is an excellent source of iron and many trace minerals. It also contains iodine and manganese which activate enzyme systems. This seaweed is dry and keeps for many months.

Try it in: Lemony Dulse Spread

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Flaxseed: carry a number of nutritional benefits which categorize it as a “superfood”. Flax seeds are high in phytochemicals, vitamin B, along with manganese and magnesium. Of all the plants in the plant kingdom, flaxseed has the highest level of Omega-3, an essential fatty acid. In order to obtain the benefits of flax, it is necessary to eat whole, crushed seeds. The whole seeds can be difficult to digest, allowing the beneficial components of flax to pass through the body without being processed. Crush your flax seeds in a Mortar and Pestle, Pepper Grinder or Coffee Grinder when ready to use. They can be sprinkled on salads, make into raw, dehydrated snacks and used to dress a variety of foods.

Flaxseed and oil are very sensitive and can become toxic if heated. They are best used in raw recipes and salad dressings. Flax seeds can go rancid if they are stored improperly. Store seeds whole and crush them when needed. Ideally the seeds should be stored in your refrigerator, or in a very cool, dry place. Flaxseed oil should be kept in the fridge, and consumers should be aware that it only lasts a few weeks, even under refrigeration, so it is better to purchase small containers to enjoy the benefits of flax in oil form. Look for Flax in your local health food store.

Try it in: Raw Flax Fruit Salad

References:
1. Brazier, Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life. Canada: The Penguin Group. 2007
2. Wikipedia.org
3. wisegeek.com
4. Swanson, Heidi: Super Natural Cooking. USA: Crown Publishing 2007

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