How to Include Wheatgrass in Your Diet

Wheatgrass products are derived from the young grass of wheat plant (Triticum aestivum).

It can be successfully cultivated both outdoors and indoors in temperate climates.

Wheatgrass is a natural source of anti-oxidants, vitamins A, C, E, B12, B6, calcium, selenium, magnesium, iron and chlorophyll.

Forms of wheatgrass that can be used in a diet

Fresh Wheatgrass juice

Wheatgrass cannot be eaten raw for it has high fiber content. This makes it difficult to digest.

Besides wheatgrass has a very strong, grassy flavor that can be distasteful if consumed raw.

Wheatgrass leaves can be crushed and made into juice.

This is the most popular way to consume wheatgrass. For those who do not have the time to make juice, there are readymade juices and juice powders available in health food stores.

Fresh wheatgrass juice can be made at home or it can be got at juice bars. You can buy fresh wheatgrass in a food store and use a wheatgrass juicer to masticate it into juice.

Those who enjoy gardening can buy wheatgrass growing kits and have their own daily supply of fresh wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass juice powder

Powdered wheatgrass juice is also available. Wheatgrass juice powders easily mix in water, fruit juices or smoothies to make more palatable drinks.

Wheatgrass leaves are also dried and used for making capsules and tablets. Wheatgrass and water also acts as a good enema. The manufacturing and growing techniques can vary, so you need to be careful and read the label before buying a product.

Wheatgrass tablets

Wheatgrass is available as freshly pressed, powdered, and frozen, as tablets that can be made into juice, or tablets and powders of the entire wheatgrass leaves are even available.

As we can only tolerate small quantities of wheatgrass everyday.

To maintain optimal health, it is recommended that we drink 1-2oz 3-4 times daily.

Wheatgrass juice cubes

There is good quality, frozen wheatgrass juice cubes available in the market. These frozen cubes each contain 6oz wheatgrass juice.

You need to just thaw it for a few minutes, mix it with water or your favorite fruit juice and enjoy it.

Wheatgrass powder

Powdered wheatgrass can be mixed/sprinkled it on various recipes to make them more delicious and healthy.

Which one is the best way?

We have seen the different types of wheatgrass products available in the market. So, which will give us the best health benefits? There is no conclusive evidence that one is superior to another.

Wheatgrass manufacturers will each claim that juice, tablet, or powder contains the most benefits.

The choice really depends on personal preference.

It is believed that fresh wheatgrass is the best for it contains all the enzymes and nutrients. These are not destroyed during dehydration.

However, the taste can be bitter and many find it inconvenient to use. You also need a special juicer and some fruit juice or smoothie to combine with wheatgrass juice to make it palatable.

All this tends to become expensive. Wheatgrass supplements can be bought in powdered form. If this is grown, harvested, processed and stored in the right way, it will have all the nutrients intact.

Powdered wheatgrass is cheaper; it can be bought in bulk, lasts longer, can be taken even when traveling and does not get spoilt quickly.

Wheatgrass Diet

The ‘wheatgrass diet’ is used to lose weight and to detoxify the body. When following such a diet, your diet should consist of only raw foods that have not been cooked.

This is said to be rich in natural enzymes. When following this diet, people must avoid all dairy products, cooked and processed foods and meats.

Wheatgrass diet provides more energy, calms nerves, improves mental clarity, makes you feel full for longer periods, improves bowel movements, reduces risk of infection, helps in maintaining healthy hair, nails, and regulates blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Benefits

Wheatgrass diet is used to combat common cold, bronchitis, fever, skin conditions, digestive problems, cancer, AIDS and so on.

The high chlorophyll content found in wheatgrass means that it has properties similar to hemoglobin and therefore helps to transport oxygen and produce red blood cells. Wheatgrass diet is also said to help shrink tumors.

Precautions

While there are many theories regarding the health benefits of wheatgrass, there is no real scientific proof.

Consuming the right quantity of wheatgrass will not harm you. Just check with your doctor before using wheatgrass.

Those who have celiac disease, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those with grass allergies must avoid wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass diet does provide some health benefits since it is similar to eating fresh vegetables and fruits.

However, it is best if you do not consider it a miracle cure and replace it with conventional medical treatment.