ask a superhero: what's up with wheatgrass?
You Kind Lifers ask some great questions in the forum, and I know that if one person is asking, a lot of people are probably wondering the same thing! So, I wanted to start featuring your questions on the homepage, with detailed answers from guest experts. The first question in the 'Ask Alicia' series comes from Kind Lifer Karuna, who recently asked about wheatgrass in The Kind Forum. I have my own feelings about it, but I also asked macrobiotic counselor Christina Pirello to lend her expertise to this question.
Personally, my reaction to wheatgrass is that I find the taste disgusting - like literally, before I was superhero, I would try it and want to throw up. But that's just me. From a health point of view, it's certainly better than coffee or tea when you need a boost. And of course, it's loaded with real-food vitamins and minerals. I personally don't feel like I need it in my life, but I'm not on a campaign against it! If it makes you happy, that's awesome.
With that said, here's what Christina Pirello has to say about the matter:
What's Up With Wheatgrass?
By Christina Pirello
Wheatgrass is one of the most intensely concentrated nutrients. And while I always say it tastes like drinking the lawn, it can be a healthful addition to one's diet.
For superheroes, wheatgrass can be a great little energy boost or can be used as an occasional cleanse, maybe 1-2 times per week. For those who aren't eating well, or are not eating a lot of greens, wheatgrass is a great way to get chlorophyll, which translates to hemoglobin - which is great! It's also a great source of folic acid and iron. It can be a very useful supplement for people who are weak or chronically tired, and it can also balance the liver, which helps to regulate the metabolism and control weight.
I don't agree with a lot of macrobiotic people who say that wheatgrass is extreme or can result in an imbalance. However, for those who eat superhero, wheatgrass isn't necessary. In fact, too much of it can make you feel cold. But, in general, it's a healthy supplement to a vegan diet that may not be quite superhero.
And it will never hurt anyone, so if you love wheatgrass, feel free to drink it, and if you've never tried it, give it a whirl if you're curious. To make it a bit yummier, you can take the one ounce shot with a slice of fresh orange. It takes the edge off the grassiness of the flavor!
Thanks Christina! What do you Kind Lifers think about wheatgrass?
46 comments
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Doesnt the orange kill off everything that is supposed to be good about wheatgrass?? I usually take my wheatgrass with a shot of pomegranite juice or just water and then chew on some gum right away. But I have heard many times before that you shouldnt have orange juice or oranges after wheatgrass because it kills off all the nutrients. Anybody know??
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I actually like wheatgrass (especially when it'smixed with other juices) but living in Alaska drinking wheatgrass is not an option
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I do wheat grass shots at juice stop ocassion! Yes it taste grassy, but it small shot and It helps me to get over an bad cold/weak/poor immunity hump! TY
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Hi Kim, try The Veggie Grill - here's the link - on their site it says they are always looking for enthusiastic people. Good luck.
Does non-dairy "blue cheese" exist? If so who makes it and where can I get it? Thanks!
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Hello, My name is Kim. I just moved to LA (for school) I am a Vegan, and an Animal Lover! If anyone knows of any places that are hiring i am willing to do anything from Serving in a restaurant to working in an office. I would really like to stay in LA and get active in promoting Animal rights and Healthy eating. I am a really nice person and can provide Excellent References. Thank you very much guys!
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Quayzi80... Superhero is a whole section of Alicia's book! In a nutshell no dairy, meat, white sugar, processed stuff, etc. I haven't gone full super, but I will try eventually. Her recipes are amazing. I find it a lot easier to stick with in the cold winters cause it's so soothing & I have a lot more time to cook.
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I've had the same problem as Amy-- The first time I had wheatgrass I felt sick to my stomach and I think I did actually throw up :( I remember that day I didn't have more than a small meal in my stomach. Why does this happen?
I've had the same problem with vitamins that don't specifically state that you must take them with a meal.
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Sean Donovan,
I love what you said about your response to meat eaters asking you where you get your protein!. That's great. Also, thank you for articulating the wonders of wheatgrass so eloquently. I have trouble with wheatgrass bec it brings on mega nausea for me after drinking it but I will try your suggestion of swirling it around in my mouth to get the digestion process started before it hits my stomach. I do drink green juice almost every day and at first I felt nausea from that as well but eventually got over it so maybe my body will happily welcome wheatgrass at some point also. It is strange bec my body tends to thrive on a more macro diet but incorporating the raw element of green juice really helps me feel my best in general. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. Plant based with a sprinkling of raw goodness :) -
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What is superhero?
"before i was superhero" -AS
"suppliment a vegan diet that is not quite superhero" CP
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One ounce of wheat grass is estimated to have the same vitamin and mineral content of 2-1/2 pounds of leafy green vegetables. When comparing "apples to apples" and wheatgrass to other fruits and veggies, ounce for ounce it has more vitamin C than oranges and more vitamin A than carrots. Wheat grass is also packed full of minerals such as: calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.
Wheat grass is composed of over 70% chlorophyll which carries oxygen to the blood. This oxygen rich blood cleanses, heals and promotes a healthy, disease free environment in the body. Studies have shown cancer immunity in oxygen rich environments. Wheat grass is believed to be one of the strongest anti-oxidants known to man and can rapidly detoxify the body, particularly the liver. This translates into a great hangover cure as well. The increased oxygen content in the blood also promotes physical endurance and stamina. For more info on this wonderful grass - read "Health and Happiness: an owner's manual for the mind and body" available at www.SeanDon.com
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I've been drinking 4 ounces of wheat grass a day for over 10 years. I can honestly say that it's not the best tasting thing in the world, but my body craves it - in fact, when I walk into the health food store and smell it being juiced, my mouth starts to water in preparation for what is about to come. Even though it really doesn't taste great, it's a good idea to swirl the wheat grass shot around in your mouth to mix it with the saliva. This begins the digestive process in the mouth and reduces the shock of such a strong antioxidant to the stomach. Wheatgrass also contains vital living enzymes which help the body with its metabolism and digestion. Since I am a vegan, people often ask me where I get my protein. My response is to ask them where they get theirs. Some people will proudly reply that they get their protein from eating beef. I then stump them by asking them where the cow gets its protein. The answer is grass. That's right - cows are vegetarian and weigh an average of around 1400 lbs - that's a lot of protein and it is all built by eating grass. So my answer to them is that I get my protein straight from the source. Not only is it a complete protein, but it contains all necessary amino acids that the human body needs. So spare the cow and eat more grass!
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I bought Amazing Grass and these are their directions: The 8.5 oz bottle has 30 servings and a convenient scoop. Serving size: one scoop, 8 grams. Mix a tablesoon with 8 to 16 oz of your favorite juice or water. We like orange, apple, or grape juice, or try it in a smoothie. Take it first thing in the morning to jump-start your day! We recommend 1-3 servings daily.
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I bought wheatgrass powder because I couldn't find fresh or frozen. Does anyone have any experience using this form in smoothies or other things? Is one Tb of powder equivalent to 1 oz frozen/fresh?
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Can you just mix an ounce or whatever in with fruits and blend it all together? I mean why drink it straight if you don't have to? Can it just be an added thing to other foods? like, chopped up real fine and put in to salads? I'm curious...?
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Hi Carolyn, as I understand it from knowing people who LOVE wheatgrass and from having read Crazy Sexy Diet where wheatgrass is essential, yes, 1 ounce a day is all one would need to gain significant nutrients from the magical wheatgrass. When you go to a typical juice bar that sells wheatgrass, they sell it by shot. Sometimes at my juice place I see people getting a double! I guess it all depends what kind of energy you are going for. Much love
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Ok - can someone please help me understand - in the last paragraph the writer says "..you can take the one-ounce shot with a slice of orange.." ----SO.. that said - is 1-ounce all the body needs? Can someone educate me? Please?
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I've been buying frozen wheatgrass. A local health food store sells it, and each portion comes in a little container. I use it as my ice cube in fruit juice. The first time I had it straight, I couldn't figure out what the taste was. Then it came to me. Watermelon rind! It's not bad at all, but I always mix it with something.
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Wheatgrass makes me feel sick if I have it on an empty stomach. I do love green juice tho and try to drink one at least every other day. Occasionally I'll have some wheatgrass but again, only if I have eaten shortly before taking it. It's nice to hear that it isn't entirely needed since I am mostly superhero.
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Hey! I do some demo's for a vegetarian/healthy food company. I've gotten to demonstrate Amazingrass. And so.... naturally I got to try some! Once I went into the store and the Chocolate amazing grass was dented so they gave it to me because they couldn't sell it like that! I have to say, this stuff is good. Seriously check out the Chocolate AmazingGrass (I don't work for the actual company so it makes no matter to me!) I put some in with some almond milk or with my smoothie and it was like a special treat! I found it harder to drink with water, but chocolate amazingrass and almond milk = score!
http://www.amazinggrass.com/chocolate-green-superfood-powder.html
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I've been drinking wheatgrass on and off for years and I love it. I've been drinking 2 ounces a day now since February and I can definitely see the improvements from it. You do need to have the right kind of juicer in order to juice the fresh grass. Otherwise, you can add the powder to a smoothie as an alternative. It does taste like grass, but as others mentioned, a slice of orange after gets rid of the taste. If you've never tried it, it's worth a go. It may take a few times to adapt to the tast though.
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I happen to like it a lot (weirdly - cuz I'm usually a culinary wimp!)! - I'm just terrible at growing it (or keeping it growing) - so I get enough for one shot (in my Blendtec) for a 2-5 days - and then when it (the plant) dies off I have to buy another container (usually at Sprouts/Henry's since they are closest to me). I truly need to work on my "green thumb"!
btw - it's virtually undetectable in a green smoothie!!
~Nancy-Lynn, www.HighMainteNancy.com
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Is wheatgrass really a "grass"? I'm allergic to all grasses so I'd like to know if I can have this without reacting. I'm tolerant of wheat so if it's a "wheat" I should be okay right?
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