I've been quite enthralled reading this link this morning, especially as I'm a great seed eater (I add them to buckwheat (a seed) flakes for my breakfast):
gymbeam.com/blog/10-healthi...
My AF hardly bothers me these days and I give it little thought. I'm wondering if its since I changed my diet, by including more seeds.
Jean
Interesting thank you.
More seeds make me feel better too. This article does not mention it, but much I have read elsewhere lists seeds - and pumpkin seeds particularly - as a top source of Magnesium! We all know what that means.
I now make my own muesli which is 50% seeds and nuts, 45% oats and 5% dried fruit including dried banana chips. Eaten with fresh fruit especially Apple. I make seed bread too.
The other bonus is not feeling hungry between meals, lost a stone in weight, and blood sugar down to normal levels after edging into pre-diabetic range 2 yrs ago. 😀😀😀
Yes, I believe pumpkin seeds are a top source of magnesium and zinc.
Sounds like you're doing well in getting your blood sugar levels down, well done.
Jean
Thank you! That's the seeds I'm pretty sure. But I didnt realise till I read your article how much more there was in them. So thank you.
I eat lots of seeds too esp. zince,as in sunflower seed.But also buckwheat and pumpkin.I have a quiet AF heart....perm afib.
Interesting that you too use buckwheat, so many people haven't heard of it. I asked in my healthfood shop a few years ago what I could use instead of oats Glad to hear that you have a calm heart, mine has been the same lately.
Jean
I cook the grains sometimes in a pan instead of rice. Take 1 good hand full.add one beaten egg and stir on a low heat until there is a cooked 'eggy' smell.Then add some salt and pepper and very thin veg water to cover. ....broccoli ,carrotor pea is good.stew until tender on the stove.
That's interesting, I wondered how the hard grain, before being rolled, could be used. Is it a stew or type of soup that you make. Doesn't the egg become overcooked?
In his later years my widowed dad had a dance partner who advocated seeds as a main stay to her amazingly good health, she never had a day of illness and lived to a ripe old age.
Something in it, pleased you have found a natural source of help . You have certainly been better since using them regularlyJean. Good on yer.
You know what Meadfoot, I swear by my breakfast and do hope it's that which has calmed my heart, been making it for two years now. Still couldn't claim my heart's in perfect rhythm though, but almost.
Jean
There is no doubt that a plant based diet is best for us so why not?
Yes, seeds certainly come under the plant based umbrella
According to Tim Spector’s latest research book “Spoonfed” looking at the evidence re foodstuffs, those who eat only plant based diet are not healthier overall than a careful omnivore although often lighter which is good. Similarly vegetarians. His take home message, having ploughed through all the studies, is to eat everything in moderation, largely plants, but some dairy, meat and fish, (And coffee, tea, alcohol) organic if you can to avoid pesticides etc which can mount up in us. He insists there are no “super foods”, but many natural foods are good for us - as whole as possible, all the ones we can predict, including seeds as this thread says.
We are not discusssing general health here but specifically heart health where plant based foods have ben shown to be beneficial. Personally I eat a bit of most things in moderation and strangely since I have been eating more vegetarian meals I have lost weight whilst my vegetarian wife has put some on of late so you really can't generalise.
I do not think that there is any real evidence to show that a plant based diet is better for heart health than one in which moderate or even large quantities of oily fish are consumed. Perhaps you could point us to some studies that address this specific point rather than spouting a dubious generality. And by studies I mean properly conducted RCTs and not dodgy observational ones that rely on people remembering what they were eating 10 years ago or actually telling the truth about what they eat.
Good morning, what seeds do you use predominantly please? I looked at Chia seeds recently but read that they can affect blood clotting because of the omega 3 fatty acids in them, and as I take anti coagulants thought them best avoided. A lot of seeds like sunflower, flax seeds and sesame contain phytoestrogens, and I have cystic breast disease which is affected by these properties, so also a no no for me sadly! Very annoying! 😟
To make my breakfast I use a heaped dessertspoon of buckwheat flakes, a small pinch of either ginger or cinnamon (alternate days), half a teaspoon of ground chia seeds, the same amount of ground flaxseed, two dates chopped and a dessertspoon of sultanas, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. I add lactose free milk and cook this in the microwave for two minutes, then stir, add more milk if needed and then pop back for another minute. This breakfast is totally gluten/wheat/lactose free and I use all organic products.
In between meals I snack on mixed nuts, I have to say I find the Sainsbury's ones in the orange packet the best tasting. If I get desperate for something sweet after my evening meal I eat two dates.
I take Warfarin and have my own machine to check my INR. My level has been really good for many weeks now, but I try to be consistent with what I eat. I only have a small amount of chia seeds and do grind them all as soon as I buy. They last me ages.
In case you're thinking what a goody two shoes, perfect person I am, this morning my sister came around, we sat and ate four fingers of dark chocolate mint kitkats each. All her fault, I'd never have bought them!!!🙄
Jean
I eat lots of seeds - I add chia, hemp, sunflower seeds and flaxseed to my breakfast smoothies and to my oats if I have porridge or home made muesli. I always have seeds with salads, usually pumpkin, sunflower or sesame seeds and I add nuts too (pine nuts, cashews, walnuts). There’s so much goodness in nuts and seeds.
Glad you've discovered the benefits of seeds etc Kaz. How are you feeling today?
Jean
Not too bad Jean. Frustrated as I hate laying around at the best of times. I’m getting reacquainted with the wheelchair 🤪.
I've never heard of buckwheat. Is it in the supermarket? I eat oats pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and whatever berries are in season for breakfast.
No, I've never seen it for sale in a supermarket. I buy it in a little privately owned health food shop in town. The buckwheat I buy has been rolled and looks just like the oats used in porridge and can be used in place of oats.
Re Buckwheat, we buy it loose (it is also sold in packets) and we boil it on the hob with water, like rice, but it cooks faster (15 mins) and will fluff up.
I think you're talking about the hard seed aren't you? What would you eat that with once it's been boiled, as a substitute for rice?
Very delicious, Jean, and an accompaniment to any meal - just like rice. It is lighter and fluffier than rice and tastes of the forest We buy the roasted, slightly brown grains.
Please have a look:
thespruceeats.com/what-is-k...
Jean, nutritional information:
nutritiondata.self.com/fact...
Thank you for those links. I'm a lot wiser about buckwheat after reading them. It's interesting that it says how much better it is for it's vitamin and mineral content than oats.
Jean, your info posted here and your support is invaluable !
Wanted to re-mention that buckwheat is also very delicious with a complex taste.
Be very well.
Thank you, l will have a look for it.
Great! thanks Jean, I´m going to read the article you mention. I´m vegan and love seeds, lots of them...
Where do you purchase your pumpkin seeds, and are they raw or roasted (and shelled?).
I do have quite a few different micro green seeds that I use for growing... well, micro greens which I use in salads and sandwiches. They are a lovely punch of vitamins and nutrients in happy little sprouts!
I buy organically grown raw pumpkin seeds, that have been shelled. Sounds interesting you growing your own seeds to eat as sprouts. I had a spell of doing that, but it was a long time ago, over 20 years ago I would guess. I'm sure that sprouting seeds must be really healthy.
Thank you for this info about the pumpkin seeds!
Why cant you buy grapes containing seeds anymore. Every supermarket seems to make a play on grapes being seedless. Totally concur with seeds as the ultimate health food. To the list on the link I add Turmeric, Garlic, Ginger, Sage, black pepper. The herbs I use in a drink- Golden Milk. I never want to test fate about stating how long since an AFib ir Asthma exacerbation.
No, never tempt fate! We live and learn, don't we! Yes, I use a lot of herbs and spices too. Today I've had family over for lunch and did a Greek salad, making the dressing myself. I have to admit though that we all ate a warmed donut for dessert. You have to give a little bit too,
Thanks for posting Jean. Increasingly these days I am listening to my body and often the things you like (once you have weaned yourself off sugar & junk food) incl dark chocolate are good for you....KitKats in strict moderation though! I find I am eating a lot of seeds (prefer Infinity foods Trail Mix) and also drawn to pomegranates (in season now) & sesame. Animals have an inherent sense to eat the right thing when they are unwell, so no reason why we shouldn't have similar senses.
Yes, true about animals having the inherent sense and it does make you think. You've put the idea in my head and I'll now buy myself a pomegranate when next out, thanks for giving me that little push.
Morning, thanks jeanjeannie, a really interesting article. I already eat many of the seeds mentioned but will add more to my diet. Do you assume that the doses mentioned eg, teaspoon etc are per day? I think it must be.
I guess the doses are the daily amount you need to feel the benefit from eating the seeds.
Apparently black seeds are healthy too
Yes, now racking my brain to think of some black seeds. Poppy seeds and the seeds that come from that garden flower 'love in a mist'. The botanical name escapes me right now. Ah yes it's Nigella. Wonder what I could eat to improve my memory?
How wonderful, Jean.
Wouldn't be great to push the AF to the back and be healthier and more energetic into the bargain !
Thanks, and I Will give the seeds that are mentioned in your link a try.
I always say nothing ventured, nothing gained. Just see how you get on with eating them.
Thank you Jean for that interesting article. We go through a lot of pumpkin seeds and almonds in our home.
I would say that they are two of the most beneficial seeds to have.
That is very accurate.
Interesting article Jean thanks. Will add some seeds to my daily feast of walnuts, cashews and almonds which I've heard have some heart health benefits too. Prefer to try and get extra magnesium etc through food rather than taking supplements.
Yes, must surely be better to get our daily vitamins through eating a plant based diet, than supplements. Sounds like you're doing well, with your nuts, I have them too.
Very interesting Jean. Always keen on the idea of food as medicine and preventative.An excellent clear article too.
Shall be stocking up!
Really hope that doing so will help you. Please report back if it does.
Nuts and seeds are a good source of magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, L-arginine and vitamin E, among other things. Very heart healthy!
Lets hope forum members see this post, read all the comments and give them a try.
I eat lots of nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, chia seeds and flax.
There are a couple of things in this article that concern me however.
How big is '1 spoon'? Teaspoon, tablespoon?
The other thing is the apricot kernels, it is pointed out that they contain amygdalin, but does not say that this is converted to cyanide in the body.
How many kernels in a quarter of a cup? (metric user here!).
Also, bitter almonds are the mainstay of whodunnits as a poison.
x
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