Add a little pep to your step when you start your morning with this energizing, refreshing green smoothie. Made with tropical, juicy pineapple, creamy banana, nutrient-dense kale, and homemade almond milk. this smoothie is an ideal breakfast or pre- or post-workout snack. It blends easily in less than a minute and you can personalize it with optional add-ons, including chia seeds, fresh ginger, lemon juice, or fresh mint.

If you have an aversion to kale, that is completely okay, but you are missing out on valuable nutrients by avoiding it. You can use spinach in its place, but should you decide to use kale, make sure that you remove the thick, fibrous stems. That will make all the difference to your smoothie. It makes it silky smooth and you won’t feel like you are chewing grass when you drink it. Ideally, you should use frozen pineapple chunks, as doing so adds thickness to the smoothie. Feel free to use fresh pineapple chunks if you prefer a lighter consistency to your smoothie.

We recommend using a frozen banana to create a lovely creamy base for your smoothie. That will pair beautifully with the homemade almond milk, which also adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the rest of the ingredients. Should you have a nut allergy, feel free to replace the homemade almond milk with homemade hemp seed milk, homemade pumpkin seed milk, or even homemade sunflower seed milk. You can easily find recipes for all of those non-dairy milks in our recipe section.

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Protein balls are not just chalky, dry snacks you find at health food stores. Those snacks are that way because manufacturers use tons of protein powder and other ingredients that are not as natural as the ones in this recipe. You don’t need protein powder to have protein in your diet. Hemp hearts, for example, are a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot make on its own. Additionally, about 25% of their total calories come from high-quality, easily digestible protein, containing about 11 grams per three tablespoons.

These protein balls are the perfect meal prep snack and come together without the need for an oven. Just blend, mix, roll, refrigerate, and enjoy. In addition to the protein-rich hemp hearts, these protein balls contain cashews, which are full of healthy fats and protein. A one-quarter cup serving of cashews provides five grams of protein and a whopping 80% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of copper. Copper aids the creation of red blood cells and connective tissue while supporting immune function. Several studies found a link between low copper intake and an increased risk of osteoporosis, which is a health condition defined by weak and brittle bones.

Should you have an aversion to cashews, you can replace them with raw almonds, raw macadamia nuts, or raw walnuts. You can also replace the hemp seeds with chia seeds, but the protein content will decrease. Sunflower seeds and flax seeds will also work as replacements. One thing that you cannot replace is the lemon juice or lemon zest. In fact, these are pretty key if you want to achieve that signature lemon flavor. You could try replacing lemon with lime or orange, but keep the same measurements even with a different citrus twist.

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Statins are prescription drugs that people take to lower their levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol. Health experts refer to LDL cholesterol as “bad” because of the fact that it builds up inside the arteries, making it harder for blood to move through them. Statins work by interfering when the liver produces cholesterol. They also help to lower triglycerides and may even increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Unlike LDL, HDL brings cholesterol to the liver, which gets it out of the body. 

Before getting on statins, some people want to see if they can lower LDL cholesterol with lifestyle changes. We encourage that decision and although diet and exercise may not lower cholesterol for everyone, a lot of people can benefit from healthier habits, some of which we detail in this article. If your cholesterol levels are already in normal range, you can help maintain them with the Dherbs Cholesterol Formula. To help lower cholesterol before statins, consider the following tips. 

Consider The Portfolio Diet

The Portfolio Diet is a plant-based eating plan that emphasizes foods that are naturally rich in fiber and healthy fats. Conceived some 20 years ago, the diet has a proven ability to lower LDL cholesterol, but none of the trials proving this lasted more than six months. For this reason, more long-term studies are necessary. When followed consistently, though, research suggests that the Portfolio Diet may lower LDL cholesterol by up to 30%, an effect comparable to a first-generation statin for some people. 

Move Your Body Every Day

Exercise is a powerful and easily accessible tool that may help lower cholesterol levels naturally. Ideally, engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, in addition to two days of strength training. Physical activity helps to elevate HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and reduce visceral fat, which is metabolically active fat stored around internal organs that contributes to cardiovascular risk. People who lose between 5% to 10% of body weight can significantly improve cholesterol levels. 

Prioritize Fiber

Fiber is an often overlooked nutrient, with many people not getting enough every day. In fact, more than 90% of women and 97% of men do meet the recommended daily fiber intake. Not all fiber works the same regarding cholesterol, though. Soluble fiber exhibits the strongest LDL-lowering effect. It forms a gel-like substance in the gut, binding to cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract and escorting it out to prevent reabsorption. Great sources of soluble fiber include:

• Apples
• Barley
• Beans
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed
• Lentils
• Oats
• Psyllium husk

Build Your Plate Around Whole Plant-Based Foods

If you want to lower cholesterol levels in a meaningful way, eat more whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. All of these foods contain plant sterols, which are natural compounds that resemble cholesterol, which helps block the body’s absorption of it in the digestive tract. The sterols in vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and certain fortified foods can all help lower cholesterol. In fact, getting two grams of plant sterols daily can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 12%. 

Reduce Intake Of Refined Carbs And Added Sugars

Health experts always suggest people to steer clear of saturated and trans fats if they are concerned about LDL cholesterol. Avoiding these types of fats can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Refined carbs and added sugars are just as dangerous, as they can raise triglycerides and increase cardiovascular risk. Sugary drinks, white bread, packaged pastries, and ultra-processed snacks contribute to insulin resistance, which affects cholesterol levels. It is better to consume whole grains and limit your consumption of added sugars to help improve triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels. 

Some Natural Supplements May Help

Before you decide to take supplements to help naturally lower cholesterol levels, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. Some products can come with side effects or may interact with other medications or supplements that you already take. Certain supplements, though, have some proven ability to lower cholesterol. For example, psyllium supplements can lower LDL cholesterol by about 7%. Omega-3 supplements can also help reduce triglycerides, but they don’t significantly lower LDL levels.

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Raw vegan cheese recipes typically cashews or almonds, but not this one. This raw substitute for parmesan cheese is made with raw sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt. Nutritional yeast is a constant in most vegan or raw vegan cheese recipes because it provides that classic cheesy flavor. As a product, nutritional yeast comes in the form of flakes, granules, or a powder. Most nutritional yeast that you find in grocery stores is fortified with high levels of many vitamins, including vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B12. So not only does it impart a cheesy flavor, but it also supplies you with valuable nutrients that can be difficult to obtain on a raw vegan diet.

To be fair, this raw vegan parmesan recipe does not taste like regular parmesan cheese. It does enhance the flavors of dishes that would normally benefit from parmesan cheese, though. Consider adding it on raw zucchini noodle recipes, in homemade raw pesto recipes, or even as a salad topper. How you use this parmesan is entirely up to you, but it is highly versatile and easy to make in a food processor or high-speed blender. Just make sure that you do not over-blend the sunflower seeds until they become a puree. You want this parmesan cheese to have some texture.

A few tips for blending: have your food processor or blender on pulse setting. Pulse for a few seconds at a time or else you will end up with some savory sunflower seed butter if you don’t. To prevent this, stop blending and give it a mix as soon as you see the mixture start to clump. Once it reaches a nice finely ground consistency, you are finished and can pour it into a jar for storage.

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Let us get one thing clear before we get into this recipe: there are no chickpeas in this hummus. We’ll go so far as to say that you won’t believe that it is made without chickpeas. Garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, can be very difficult to digest in their raw form, unless they are sprouted before you eat them. For this reason, we omitted them from this hummus and focused on using zucchini, raw sunflower seeds, lemon, and several other ingredients. It really does look and taste like hummus, though, especially after you garnish it with some optional herbs, spices, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Zucchini exhibits a diverse nutritional profile and is particularly rich in antioxidants, more specifically carotenoids. Zucchini offers lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, all of which may benefit your eyes, skin, and heart. These carotenoids may even offer some protection against certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. According to research, the skin of zucchini contains the highest levels of antioxidants, with yellow squash offering slightly higher levels than green varieties.

Because zucchini contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, it may promote healthy digestion in several ways. Soluble fiber feeds the healthy bacteria that live in the gut, which helps them produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish gut cells. Short-chain fatty acids may also lower inflammatory markers and reduce symptoms of certain gut disorders. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and helps food move through the digestive tract. If all of that is not reason enough to eat this zucchini hummus, we don’t know what is! It is purely delicious and a great raw dip to have in your cleansing recipe arsenal.

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First thing’s first: these are not pickles, despite their appearance. You can make the argument that they are, but we don’t classify them as such because the cucumbers do not pickle in a liquid. Additionally, you do not heat up the liquid to poor over the sliced cucumbers. Should you want to cut the cucumbers into spears, not rounds, you can do that as well. It’s a matter of preference because the flavor will be just as delicious no matter the shape.

These garlic dill cucumbers bring a refreshing, slightly tangy and herbaceous flavor to any potluck or simple weeknight dinner. Even though it is winter, this recipe will bring your taste buds into summer. It’s a timeless classic and you haven’t even tasted it yet! It balances the tangy, brininess of apple cider vinegar, fresh dill, and savory garlic. It’s also low in calories, low in carbohydrates, and a unique way to enjoy cucumbers. And believe us when we tell you that changing up the flavors of your veggies is paramount when you are trying to keep your taste buds interested while cleansing.

We recommend English cucumbers for this recipe because they have a thinner skin and minimal seeds, compared other cucumber varieties. If you have Persian cucumbers or hot house cucumbers, you can use them as well, but you may want to scoop out the seeds prior to marinating them in the liquid. You can also adjust the sweetness level to your liking, adding more or less maple syrup. Start small and go from there because you can always add more. Finally, you can serve this dish after a quick marinade, or you can marinate the cucumbers for four hours. The choice is yours, but it will be delicious no matter what.

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When you find a dressing that just hits all the right notes, it’s very difficult to let it go. You want to dress all of your salads with it, but doing that may cause you to not like it. What do you do at that point? Keep the dressing in your arsenal of dressing recipes and put it into your rotation when your taste buds are ready for a new flavor profile. This tahini dressing is similar to ranch, only much healthier, more herbaceous, and free of preservatives.

A lot of tahini available in grocery stores tends to be made from roasted sesame seeds. Try to select raw tahini, which is more mild in flavor and lighter in color compared to most other non-raw tahinis. It is also a bit runnier than other tahinis, which makes it great for salad dressings. Given that tahini contains natural oils from the sesame seeds, the dressing can solidify in the fridge. When ready to use the dressing, simply run the container under some warm water for a little before shaking it up. Alternatively, you can use some of this dressing on salads, and use the rest as a dip after it thickens in the fridge.

The key to success with this dressing is using fresh herbs. Although dried herbs and spices are wonderful, and some are in this dressing, fresh herbs take this dressing to another level. It is budget-friendly, raw vegan, and only takes five minutes to come together. There is really no excuse to avoid making it, so get to it and let us know how much you love it in the comments. You can even make it and tag us on social media because we love seeing our cleansers make our recipes!

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Are you looking to bring more life and flavor to your dishes? Perhaps you have been searching for a great sauce for zucchini noodles, or just a tasty dip for vegetables. Whatever your culinary goals, this raw vegan hemp seed pesto is the dish that you’re after. It’s been in your dreams and you didn’t even realize it until you clicked on this recipe. It is robust in flavor and is dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It has that signature basil flavor, while the nutritional yeast offers that signature cheesy elements, in addition to necessary vitamin B12.

Because this pesto stores for four to five days in the fridge, you can add it to several different meals. All you need is a blender or food processor and the ingredients. Blend until you reach your desired consistency, adjusting seasonings to taste. Allow yourself to be generous with the sea salt and pepper (especially the pepper). If you prefer a runnier pesto, add a little more olive oil or water and blend until it meets your liking.

• As always with raw vegan recipes, there are many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that the body can easily absorb. For reference:
• Hemp seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein, vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
• Nutritional yeast is a great source of B-vitamins, including niacin, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and B12, in addition to manganese, zinc, and selenium.
• Basil exhibits impressive antioxidant activity and is a great source of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B6.

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When you think of breakfast, what comes to mind? Eggs, most likely, as they are some of the most common components on breakfast plates. Eggs provide potassium, protein, vitamins A, D, and B12, and choline, an essential nutrient for many metabolic processes. It’s common for people dealing with cholesterol issues to avoid them, as the yolk contains cholesterol. The research shows that the cholesterol in eggs does not seem to negatively affect healthy people, compared to other sources of cholesterol. 

Things take a turn for the worse when you start eating eggs with bacon, cheese, butter, bread, and hash browns. For some reason, that is the classic American breakfast, but it contains a lot of sodium and saturated fat, two things that increase the risk of heart disease. You can start your day with a lot of other breakfast foods that provide more fiber, protein, and antioxidants for cardiovascular health. 

Chia Pudding

Chia seeds contain a lot of soluble fiber, which creates a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. The seeds bloom in liquid to create a pudding that has a similar consistency to tapioca. Soluble fiber may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by reducing its absorption in the digestive tract. Chia seeds also provide a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which encourage optimal heart and brain function. Studies show omega-3s may help control inflammation within the body. You can incorporate nuts, nut butter, spices like cinnamon, and fruits into chia pudding for a balanced breakfast. 

Almond Butter Overnight Oats

Just like chia pudding, you can prepare overnight oats at night and have your breakfast be ready to go in the morning. That helps you save a little time and eliminates the “what should I eat?” question from your morning routine. Oats are naturally rich in protein, fiber, unsaturated fats, and magnesium. Combining oats with almond butter creates a fiber-rich meal that supports cholesterol and blood sugar control. The fiber in oats has been proven to naturally lower cholesterol levels. The magnesium in almond butter helps support healthy blood pressure and may reduce the risk of hypertension by relaxing blood vessels. 

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Quinoa for breakfast? Absolutely! It is not reserved for savory lunch or dinner options; rather, you can cook it with almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup, or other options that you prefer. You cook the quinoa in the almond milk (or other liquid) with your ingredients of choice, creating a breakfast porridge of sorts. Quinoa is rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants, and studies confirm that quinoa contains plant compounds that encourage optimal cholesterol levels. Plus, the fiber and polyphenol content may help fight oxidative stress that contributes to cardiovascular disease. 

Oatmeal With Flax Seeds And Blueberries

Let us first clarify that oatmeal from a packet that contains processed ingredients and lots of sugar is not a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal made with rolled or old-fashioned oats is what we are referring to. Oats are naturally rich in soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which is a type of fiber that forms a gel in the digestive tract to reduce cholesterol absorption. Research suggests that regular beta-glucan intake can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. Adding blueberries to your oatmeal provides necessary plant compounds that may improve blood vessel function and encourage optimal brain health. Finally, flax seeds provide omega-3s and lignans, which are plant compounds linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Peanut Butter And Cacao Smoothie

Cacao powder contains beneficial plant compounds called flavanols, which work to encourage healthy blood flow and protect blood vessels from oxidative stress. Peanut butter contains beneficial fats and fiber, two things associated with healthier cholesterol levels. Just make sure you purchase healthy, natural peanut butter that is free of unhealthy oils and added sugars. Peanuts or roasted peanuts should be the only ingredients. Anyways, add some banana, spinach, cacao powder, peanut butter, and unsweetened almond milk to your smoothie and you’ve got yourself a great breakfast.

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Unless you avoid all things new (and we wouldn’t blame you if you did), you are probably aware of RFK Jr.’s inverted food pyramid. Federal officials released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing the importance of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Is that a bad thing? It actually urges Americans to limit their intake of added sugars, explaining that “no amount’ is considered part of a healthy diet. 

The new nutrition guidelines also state that no meal should contain more than 10 grams of added sugar. Health officials are targeting highly- or ultra-processed foods and refined carbohydrates. They recommend consumers avoid packaged, prepared, or ready-to-eat foods because they contain excess sodium, added sugars, trans fats, and more. Additionally, health officials encourage Americans to “eat the right amount for you,” basing daily caloric intake on weight, height, age, sex, and level of physical activity. Portion sizes and proper hydration are just as integral to your health as what you eat. 

RFK Jr. states that his inverted pyramid acts as a guideline to help people return to the basics. He wants people to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods and reduce the intake of highly processed foods. This sounds great in theory, but there are a few issues with the new guidelines. We will explore what health experts think about the pyramid in this article.

Fear-mongering About Plant-Based Diets

It is no secret that plant-based diets have their health benefits. All you have to do is look at the supporting research. The new guidelines single out vegetarian and vegan diets as risky, exaggerating nutrient gaps without sufficient evidence. Yes, vegan and vegetarian diets have limited food options that contain some vital nutrients. There are fortified foods and supplements that can fill those gaps, though. In fact, supplementing key nutrients, such as vitamin B12, is an inexpensive and safe way to eat. The guidelines also ignore extensive research revealing the substantial health benefits of plant-based eating. If more people were plant-based, the country could save hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare costs. 

Should You Consume More Full-Fat Dairy?

The new guidelines recommend three servings of full-fat dairy products (with no added sugars) per day. The guidelines state that “dairy is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.” Health experts agree that one serving of full-fat dairy per day (about 1 to 1.5 ounces) is sufficient. There is not enough evidence to support the escalation of three servings per day. 

Plus, when you consider that roughly 65-70% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant, increasing dairy intake may not be the best idea. It’s also important to note that multiple servings of full-fat cheese can quickly exceed the recommended limits of daily saturated fat and sodium. Elevating cheese or full-fat dairy as a prominent health guideline may not benefit long-term health. 

Healthy Fats Are Encouraged

Healthy fats are vital for heart health, brain function, hormone production, and inflammation reduction. Additionally, they help the body absorb essential vitamins and keep you full for longer. Encouraging the consumption of healthy fats is not a bad thing, but you have to be careful where you get them. Prioritize foods that contain essential fatty acids, such as olive oil, avocado oil, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and other food sources. 

There are several contradictions about the consumption of healthy fats within the new guidelines, though. There is a numeric recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10% of your daily caloric intake. On the other hand, the guidelines emphasize meat and full-fat dairy consumption and varied portion sizes, so it is difficult to understand your limits in a real world diet setting. 

Not All Fruits And Vegetables Are Equal

The new guidelines encourage Americans to eat fruits and vegetables throughout the day, focusing on their whole forms. It is no secret that a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can deliver valuable nutrients to the body. The suggestion is three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day. 

While vegetables belong in any healthy diet, starchy vegetables (such as corn and potatoes) should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, fruits contain beneficial nutrients, but they can contain high levels of sugar, which will not benefit those with blood sugar issues. Berries are low-glycemic fruits and may be better than apples or bananas for people watching their blood sugar. 

The Best Advice For A Balanced Diet

Ideally, focus on simple, well-established dietary patterns that are supported by a large body of research. You don’t have to follow guidelines just because a guy said so. We believe it is best to focus on consuming a wide variety of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Be mindful about your portions, especially if you choose to consume animal-based foods, such as meats and dairy products. Should you choose to consume meat, make sure the beef is grass-fed/grass-finished, your poultry is free range and organic, and your fish is wild caught. Dairy should be organic as well. 

Don’t focus on hitting specific nutrients or rigid targets. Make your goal to build a balanced, flexible diet that you can maintain over time.

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