Core Ingredients:
-Raw Cacao Powder-
Cacao powder contains more flavonoid antioxidants than any other food. Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.
Pure cacao has four times the antioxidants of an equal amount of green tea. Antioxidants help to flush the body of harmful toxins and free radicals, which are believed to cause cancer and other chronic diseases. It is also suggested that cocoa powder's antioxidants have the power to reverse some of the cellular damage caused by these toxins. Keep in mind that the antioxidant powers are the greatest when cocoa is consumed in its purest forms.
Mood Booster
Cacao increases the levels of serotonin, endorphins and phenyl ethylamine to stimulate mood-boosting neurotransmitters in our brains which act as anti-depressants and produce a feeling of pleasure.
Non-Fat Greek Yogurt:
Our
Mediterranean friend—which is strained extensively to remove much of the liquid
whey, lactose, and sugar, giving it its thick consistency—does have an
undeniable edge. In roughly the same amount of calories, it can pack up to
double the protein, while cutting sugar content by half. Those are "two
things dietitians love," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian
and author of The Flexitarian Diet. "For someone who wants the
creamier texture, a little bit of a protein edge, and a sugar decrease, going
Greek is definitely not all hype
Protein.
Greek yogurt is
high in protein, which helps promote fullness. A typical 6-ounce serving
contains 15 to 20 grams, the amount in 2 to 3 ounces of lean meat. That makes
it particularly appealing to vegetarians, who sometimes struggle to get enough
of the nutrient. An identical serving of regular yogurt, on the other hand,
provides just 9 grams, meaning you may feel hunger pangs sooner.
Carbohydrates.
Going Greek is a
smart choice for low-carb dieters. It contains roughly half the carbs as the
regular kind—5 to 8 grams per serving compared with 13 to 17. Plus, the
straining process removes some of the milk sugar, lactose, making Greek yogurt
less likely to upset the lactose-intolerant.
Sodium.
A serving of
Greek yogurt averages 50 milligrams of sodium—about half the amount in most
brands of the regular kind. (Low-sodium versions of regular yogurt are
available.) Too much salt can boost blood pressure and increase the risk of
other heart problems. The federal government's 2010 Dietary Guidelines urge
Americans to cap sodium at 2,300 milligrams a day, or 1,500 milligrams if
they're older than 50, or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney
disease.
Calcium.
6-ounces
typically supplies about 20 percent of the daily recommendation. If you're
still worried about calcium intake, load up on seeds, and almonds, says Sarah
Krieger, a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic
Association.
Banana’s are quiet possibly nature’s most perfect food, you can’t get better packaging then a banana, just peel and eat. But besides their convenience, they’re packed with potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, vitamin C, and magnesium an excellent source of energy.
Bananas are considered a good mood food due to their tryptophan content; one of the 20 amino acids which are building blocks of proteins. Tryptophan helps the body to produce the hormone serotonin; which has a calming effect on the brain. The only way our body gets it’s dose of tryptophan is through our diet; it does not produce tryptophan naturally.
-Berries-(Blue & Raspberries)
Blueberries
Blueberries contain the highest level of antioxidants of all the berries, this is mainly due to presence of Anthocyanin, a pigment responsible for the blue color of the blue berries; a pigment also found in black grapes. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, selenium, zinc and iron.
Raspberries
Red and black raspberries are known to contain the highest levels of antioxidants in the raspberry family. Much like with blueberries, they’re high in dietary fiber, B vitamins, folic acid, and magnesium, copper and iron. Raspberries may help normalize glucose levels and therefore may be helpful to people with diabetes. Raspberries also relieve urinary irritation while soothing the kidneys and urinary tract.
