Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a topical skin treatment. Common in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines, aloe can also be eaten, either cooked or raw. The pale green “skin” of the stalks hides the clear “meat” inside the leaves, as well as the natural gel the plant produces, both of which are edible.
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Graying hair, hair that loses its natural pigmentation and turns white or gray, is a natural process in aging. However, it can also be affected by your diet. Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin, and while gray hair is not one of the primary symptoms of low vitamin B-12 in your system, it can cause graying hair.
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Throughout the West Indies, and especially Jamaica, people use fever grass tea as an herbal remedy for colds, coughs and lowering fevers. Fever grass is the Jamaican name for lemongrass, and the tea is made from either fresh or dried “leaves” from the stalk of the plant; these are then cut into smaller pieces.
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Also known as country sausage, breakfast sausage is usually made from fresh ground pork. Served in patties or in links, the sausage is often lightly seasoned. It was traditionally a way to make use of “off cuts” or scraps of meat left over from butchering.
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A healthy substitute for red meat, chicken takes well to a number of cooking methods and is readily available. Frozen chicken is often cheaper than fresh chicken and has the added benefit of having longer storage times than fresh chicken does. You can also freeze extra fresh chicken.
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Crystallized ginger is sometimes known as candied ginger or ginger chews. With its soft, toothsome texture and sweet, spicy taste, crystallized ginger can be added to cookies and cakes, as well as eaten on its own.
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Constipation is an unpleasant but common affliction that can affect anyone, at any age. If you aren’t experiencing regular bowel movements, or if you’re not able to entirely empty your bowel, you may suffer from constipation.
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Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans and is a good source of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats. While these types of fats may have several health benefits, soybean oil is still pure fat, which means that eating too much of it can be detrimental for your overall health.
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Cabbage juice can be rich in dietary fiber and is naturally low in calories, making it a healthy weight-loss beverage. To make 1 cup of cabbage juice, juice 1 cup of chopped cabbage and mix in 1/4 cup of fresh water and the extracted fiber from the juicing process.
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Strong in flavor, garlic-stuffed olives are green olives that have been pitted and then stuffed with whole cloves of garlic before being preserved.
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Green apples — sometimes referred to as Granny Smith apples — are firmer-textured and more tart than their rosy or golden-colored cousins. While they can be eaten raw, their firmer texture lends itself to baking and cooking -- and they make an excellent juice.
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Found in high quantities in coconut and palm kernel oils, lauric acid is considered a “healthier” saturated fat because it is a medium-chain triglyceride. As an MCT, lauric acid is more easily absorbed by the body and has a host of other associated health benefits, including potentially helping with weight loss.
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A smooth, creamy hazelnut and chocolate spread, Nutella is like peanut butter but sweeter. Because it contains hazelnuts, Nutella could provide support for your heart and some nutrients for your diet. However, because of its high fat and sugar content, eat it only on occasion.
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Coconut oil is made from extracting the natural oils present in mature coconut meat. Commonly used in Latin America and Southeast Asia, coconut oil can be either refined or unrefined, and it can be used for everyday cooking, including frying.
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Beans with brown rice is a healthy, nutritious dish eaten around the world -- a staple in many Central American and Latin American countries, as well as in the Southeastern United States. The popular combination is a source of protein and provides part of your daily vegetable and grain requirement.
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Diet sodas, including low- and no-calorie soft drinks, are sweetened with artificial sweeteners. The most commonly sweeteners are aspartame, sucralose or acesulfame potassium, all of which have diarrhea as a possible side effect. All three sweeteners are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Cherries, whether dark red or a blushing yellow color, are a delicious and nutritious treat that can be part of a healthy weight-loss diet. Both sweet and sour cherries -- sometimes called wild cherries -- have a number of weight-loss benefits, including being low in calories and high in dietary fiber.
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Green tea, like water, is safe to drink daily. However, consuming too much green tea may lead to certain health complications. Proper hydration is vital, and while green tea can make up part of your daily fluid intake, it should not be the only beverage you drink each day.
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The long, pale green fibrous stalks of celery make for a refreshing addition to a chopped salad as well as a low-calorie snack. Blending the stalks with fresh water will make a fiber-rich juice that is filling and healthy, making it ideal for a weight-loss plan.
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While cayenne is familiar to many as a seasoning for foods, this long, red pepper is also known for its medicinal properties. Used either fresh or dried, the spicy-tasting vegetable adds heat to foods and has been used traditionally to help with digestive and circulatory problems.
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