Nourishing food provides health and vitality
The foods we choose each day determine our medical, dental and psychological health.
At Groton Wellness we desire to provide nourishment through our Café, and trustworthy nutritional information through our patient care, materials, and events.
We support locally produced foods and organic farming techniques.
We recommend and serve whole, nutrient-dense, flavorful, natural foods.
. Grass-fed meats
. Pastured eggs
. Bone broths
. Raw foods
. Fermented foods
. Organic dairy products*
. Organ meats
. Local, seasonal organic produce
. Coconut in all its glory
. Cruciferous vegetables
. Sea salt, spices, herbs, garlic, turmeric, onions
. Sprouted grains; Gluten-free grains
. Healthy oils: coconut, olive, hemp, butter, ghee and animal fats
. Maple syrup, raw honey, sucanat and monk fruit as sweeteners
. Biodegradable, compostable take-out containers
. Food waste is composted
. No artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors
. No high fructose corn syrup
. No trans fats
. No vegetable oils
. No refined sugar
. No MSG
. No soy foods or additives
. No pesticides, antibiotics or hormones
. Non-GMO
* We support consuming raw milk due to its unparalleled nutritional profile.
We do not use raw milk in our Cafédue to current MA restrictions. We
use whole, organic, grass-fed,pasteurized local milk in our cafe.
We advocate in support of raw milkwhenever possible.
Click Here For A Local Organic Food Directory
Include
Organically produced food is higher in nutrient content and free from most toxic residues. The highest organic standards are those practiced by biodynamic farmers.
Cows raised on pasture eating grass, rather than confined and eating grain, have more vitamins A and E, beta-carotene, amino acids, and CLAs (conjugated linoleic acids that decrease cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetes) and much lower risk of E. coli and other infections. No radiation, antibiotics, or hormones are used. Grass-fed beef also has 1/3 fewer calories than grain-fed beef.
Chickens and eggs have much higher levels of nutrients, and essentially no risk of salmonella or other infections, when they are raised outdoors (free-range), eating grass and insects.
Broth made from meat and animal bones is a good source of calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium and other minerals to build bones. It contains glycosaminoglycans to nourish and heal joints. It contains gelatin, an excellent aid to digestion and absorption.
Cruciferous vegetables are wonderful detoxifiers that promote good liver function. They are high in vitamin C and soluble fiber and contain many anti-cancer nutrients. They do contain enzymes that can interfere with thyroid function, but cooking neutralizes this effect. Common ones are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collard greens, bok choy, rutabaga.
The coconut tree is a “tree of life”, with its different parts offering us food, drink, shelter, clothing, and medicine. Coconut water, milk, and meat each possess unique healing abilities. Coconut contains a special, healthy saturated fat that is easy to digest, quickly used for energy, promotes weight loss, helps us assimilate essential fatty acids, and fights off bacteria and viruses.
Natural fats and oils, including saturated fats and animal fats, nourish the brain, heart, liver, bones, kidneys, lungs, nerves and hormones, and make up the cell membranes of every cell in the body.
Lacto-fermentation of vegetables and dairy products enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. The beneficial bacteria utilized in the process produce enzymes and provide antibiotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and detoxification functions. The bacteria also produce lactic acid to preserve the food and promote the growth of healthy bacteria in our digestive tracts.
Many foods deliver the most antioxidants when eaten raw or lightly cooked. Raw milk from healthy, grass-fed cows or goats is the ultimate whole food. It has an abundance of vitamins, healthy fats, calcium, protein, minerals, enzymes (including lactase to digest lactose), amino acids, and beneficial bacteria. All these are destroyed by pasteurization and homogenization.
The process of sprouting (germination) of grains increases vitamins C, B2, B5, B6, and carotene, and neutralizes the phytic acid that otherwise inhibits the absorption of minerals. Sprouting also neutralizes the toxins in grains that inhibit our digestive enzymes. Modern farming and production techniques prevent grains from sprouting, and therefore they are difficult to digest. Soaking accomplishes the same benefits for nuts.
Sea salt and spices are good sources of magnesium and other trace minerals. Refined NaCl table salt has been stripped of the minerals and contains bleach and other toxins. Fresh, non-irradiated herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals, and other health-promoting substances. Sea salt contains over 80 needed minerals and will not elevate blood pressure. Turmeric, garlic, and onions have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying effects.
Liver and other organs from healthy, well-raised animals are nutritional powerhouses and thus are very healing foods. The nutrient density of fruits and vegetables pales in comparison to that of organ meats.
Avoid
Sugar causes decreased sensitivity to hormones and insulin, leading to weight gain, circulatory dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction. It also weakens bone and muscle, impairs mood and memory, stiffens collagen leading to joint pain, arthritis and skin wrinkling, and increases the risk of infection and cancer.
Vegetable oils (canola, safflower, soybean, corn) are synthetically processed oils that turn into toxic compounds, including trans fats, once inside the body. They also form free radicals that damage all parts of the body and generate inflammation.
Soy foods contain disrupters of sex hormones and thyroid function and aluminum that is toxic to nerves and kidneys. They interfere with the assimilation of minerals and digestion of protein. They increase the body’s needs for vitamin D and vitamin B12. The processing of soy leads to the formation of cancer-causing compounds and the neurotoxin MSG. Soy is one of the largest GMO Crops.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a common food additive due to its ability to improve the flavor of bland and devitalized processed foods. MSG is a neurotoxin. It also causes migraine headaches, upset stomach, fuzzy thinking, diarrhea, heart irregularities, asthma, and mood swings. The chemical in MSG responsible for these effects, processed free glutamic acid, is also found in many other sources.
Trans fats are synthetic, hydrogenated fats found in processed foods and vegetable oils. They get incorporated into all cell membranes, disrupting cell and organ function. They inhibit the production of stress and sex hormones. They can lead to inflammation, weight gain, allergies, asthma, heart disease and cancer.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is made from genetically modified corn. It is cheaper to produce and sweeter than ordinary sugar. It increases dangerous triglyceride levels and leads to altered insulin regulation and metabolic syndrome. It converts to fat more than any other sugar. It is now used in virtually all sodas and most processed foods.
