The Shape Of You
5 foods that look like the parts of the body they help
Take a look at a walnut. Doesn’t it have an uncanny resemblance to the human brain? It is divided into two halves, like the left and right hemispheres of the brain, with a very hard protective shell.
Wouldn't it be amazing if that walnut was good for your brain? Modern technology tells us that it is.
You will discover that many “good-for-you” foods have a close resemblance to the body parts they nourish. Could this be a quirky coincidence or some kind of purposeful design?
The idea that food tries to give us clues about what it’s good for was well known by ancient cultures. The Ancient Egyptians based everything they did on nature. They determined the nutritional value of food by reading its 'signature'.
This 'Doctrine of Signatures’ theory disappeared for many centuries but was revived and reinterpreted during the Middle Ages. Doctors and mystics added to the knowledge discovered over 1000 years before and believed that God had left signs in nature for them.
Nowadays, the overwhelming belief is that all plant-based whole foods are beneficial for our health. Many of them happen to look like body parts. However, it could be argued that they have such an overwhelming array of good nutrients that it’s easy to find a benefit to match any body part.
5 foods that look like the parts of the body they help
1. Brainy walnuts
It's no surprise that walnuts are nicknamed "brain food". They have a very high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3s are essential for protecting brain health and improving cognitive function.
Science now tells us that when eaten, a walnut’s active ingredients can cross our important blood-brain barrier and stimulate the production of important neurotransmitters, including serotonin, for optimal brain function. The oil in walnuts is also known to help break down plaque build-ups in our brain.
2. Celery bones
Long, lean stalks of celery look just like bones – and they're good for them too!
Our body pulls sodium from the bones when there isn't enough supplied from our diet – leading to osteoporosis. By eating more celery, you can reduce the likelihood of this happening. Celery is also a great source of silicon which helps with the structure of your bones keeping them strong and healthy.
In a funny coincidence, bones are 23% sodium, and so is celery.
3. Sharp-eyed carrots
If you slice a carrot, it's the spitting image of the human eye. The pattern of lines radiating outwards resemble the iris and pupil.
The orange colour in carrots comes from beta-carotene. This plant chemical promotes good eye health and protects vision. Our bodies turn beta-carotene into vitamin A which keeps our eyesight healthy and prevents the risk of cataracts.
4. Humble sweet potato
This unassuming vegetable looks eerily similar to the pancreas, and helps pancreatic health in various ways. It’s also a healthy food option in general.
Our pancreas is responsible for breaking down food from the stomach and producing insulin to help balance the glucose and sugar levels in the body. Sweet potato is beneficial for diabetic people in particular, as it can adjust their glycemic index, and aid in pancreatic function.
5. Female avocados
In ancient times, the Aztecs regarded the avocado as the ‘fertility fruit’ for women. It is shaped like a female uterus and the seed in an avocado resembles a baby in the womb. Coincidentally, an avocado takes exactly 9 months to ripen from a tiny flower.
Avocados are rich in Vitamin E also known as tocopherol. The word tocopherol derives from Greek and when loosely translated, means ‘to bear a child’.
One avocado has nearly 50% of the recommended daily intake of folate or B9. Doctors recommend folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) during pregnancy and for women trying to get pregnant.
Recipe #1 - Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
Serves 4
This delicious, creamy and comforting soup uses nutrient-rich carrots and sweet potatoes as its base. These veggies get their vibrant orange colours from carotenoids – compounds that act as antioxidants in the body.
This fibre-rich soup is also good for your gut and very satisfying.
Ingredients
1 kg/2 lbs sweet potatoes cut into cubes (approx. 7 cups)
2 large carrots (sliced, approx. 2 cups)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp mustard
1 large onion (thinly sliced)
4 medium garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp ground turmeric
5 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6
Evenly spread out the sweet potatoes and carrots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Brush half of the olive oil over the veg.
Roast the veg for 25 minutes, until golden. Stir at least once.
Heat the remainder of the olive oil in a large saucepan.
Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, turmeric and mustard and cook for another minute.
Add vegetable stock and simmer for 5 minutes.
When the veg is roasted, transfer to the saucepan.
Blend everything until smooth.
If desired, garnish with toasted sunflower seeds and parsley.
Recipe #2 - Hash Brown Egg Nests
These hash browns are packed into muffin tins and filled with egg, cheese, mushrooms and avocado – making for a delicious grab and go breakfast or brunch.
Serves 6
Ingredients
3 cups of grated potatoes
6 eggs
2 Tablespoons olive oil
½ cup avocado (diced)
½ cup cooked mushrooms (chopped)
½ cup grated cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7.
Peel and grate the potatoes, rinse and dry well.
Divide the grated potatoes between muffin tins that have been lightly coated with olive oil and press well with your fingers.
Bake the nests for 10 minutes or until golden brown and allow to cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 170°C/325°F/Gas 3.
Whisk eggs in a bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste.
Add the diced avocado and mushrooms into the hash brown nests.
Sprinkle cheese on top of the egg nests and return them to the oven.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg mixture is set.
Notes
Try to use russet potatoes for this recipe. They crisp up nicely and remain light and airy.
You can use any filling you like for the egg nests, such as bacon, courgettes, scallions or any other veg or meat you want.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any questions about your nutrition plan, please consult your doctor.