Pineapple Madness

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Super-foods and Natures Antibiotics: Pineapple

Pineapple is a sweet, juicy tropical fruit with a unique taste and shape belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. They are thick and spiny on the outside and super sweet on the inside. Originally known as “ananas” and later taking on the name Pineapple being similar in shape to a pine cone. The Pineapple is native to Paraguay and Brazil and now cultivated in Brazil, Costa Rica and the Philippines. Pineapple season is typically March through June.

Pineapples are considered a unique fruit and an affluent source of protein because they contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. Pineapples are a sweet fruit high in sugar that is balanced out by all the fiber, so your glucose levels don’t spike when consuming this exotic deliciousness. The fiber promotes a healthy digestive system and protects you against various conditions such as constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) while stimulating the release of digestive and gastric juices that help dissolve food in your digestive tract.

Pineapples are one of my favorite superfoods, I use them in smoothies, I make ice pops out of them, eat them by themselves, and the bonus is that they are a packed full of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, beta-carotene (the beautiful skin vitamin), thiamin, B6, folate, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium along with soluble and insoluble fiber.

Pineapples are well known for their ability to stop a coughing attack, clear out the sinuses by reducing phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tract and this is due to their high bromelain (unique enzyme) and high Vitamin C content (131 percent of RDA). The core is where the highest bromelain content is stored, you can juice the core or blend it in a high powered blender (add to a smoothie), it should stop coughing immediately.  It also helps break down protein into a much simpler substance, in turn, providing phytonutrients in the form of amino acids and peptides that are needed for digestion. Fresh pineapple is the only known source of the enzyme bromelain, which has been used to stimulate menstruation, prevent and alleviate inflammation (arthritis, tendonitis), indigestion, harmful bacteria, bruising, to inhibit tumor growth due to its anti-cancer and antiparasitic compounds.

The Vitamin-C, potassium and fiber content in pineapple promote and support a healthy heart. Intake of potassium-rich foods has been associated with lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke while preserving bone density and reduction in kidney stone formation. Diets high in Beta-carotene have been linked to a reduced risk of forming Asthma, protection against prostate and colon cancer and of course beautiful skin.

Pineapples should be picked at peak ripeness; they do not continue to ripen once they are picked like many other fruits. Store the whole pineapple or sliced pieces in the refrigerator. Choose a pineapple with green leaves at the top, with a firm body that smells sweet on the outside, the heavier the better, preferably with no soft spots.

Benefits Improves respiratory health Aids in the treatment of coughs and colds Promotes a healthy digestive system Promotes healthy immune system Helps manage arthritis Strengthens gums Cancer prevention Fights off the growth of parasites Reduce inflammation Improves immune system Prevent Cancer Increases circulation Increase heart health Fight off Infection

Precautions when consuming pineapple If you are on any medication check the side effects, Beta-blockers most often prescribed for heart disease, can cause potassium levels to increase in the blood. High potassium foods should be consumed in moderation when taking beta-blockers.

Bromelain in pineapples helps with digestion by tenderizing meat in our gut, this means if we eat too much pineapple it can start to tenderize our mouth, lips, tongue and cheeks, so if your mouth is tender cut back on your consumption.

Pineapple is high in natural sugar so it should be eaten in moderation like all other foods containing sugar.

Pregnant women should eat in moderation, especially in the first trimester since bromelain has been linked to stimulating menstruation.

Pineapple In The Kitchen

Tropical Salsa Chop into small pieces Pineapples, mango, jalapeno, red peppers and chipotle pepper Mix together and store in a glass container Top fish tacos, freshly cooked salmon Add to a nice green salad, great way to avoid using dressing

Frozen pineapple delight Place a BPA free can of organic coconut milk in a refrigerator overnight

Open can and scoop the hard-white cream off the top of can and place in blender (save the clear liquid for smoothies)

Add frozen organic pineapple chunks (any combination of fruit will do)

Add tablespoon, raw honey, if desired

Blend until smooth

Place in freezer for up to an hour (consistency will thicken)

Scoop into two serving bowls and top with small crystallized ginger pieces

Fresh Sliced Pineapple Chunks

Store in a glass food container for snacks

Kebabs

Slice USDA organic chicken or Grass fed steak into chunks (whole shrimp with “best Choice” label only)

Slice Red onion, tricolored peppers into chunks

Marinate in a glass container for a few hours or overnight (great marinade recipe in fermented foods section)

Before grilling slice pineapple into chunks

On wooden skewers slide one of each item on until skewer is almost full

Place on grill turning until fully cooked

Salad toppers

Combine pineapple, walnuts or pecans, goat or feta (grass fed)

You can add cooked chicken chunks

Lettuce of choice

Citrus dressing or balsamic vinaigrette

Tropical Fruit Salad

Cut up any combination of tropical fruit

pineapple, mango, papaya, strawberries, dragon fruit, start fruit, oranges, majhool dates

Put in a glass bowel and top with Organic unsweetened shredded coconut

Kira’s Pineapple Madness!

1. Canned coconut milk
2. put can in the fridge overnight, open and separate the thick white cream off the top, save for homemade whipped cream. Use the clear liquid on the bottom for a smoothie.
3. Coconut Meat (if desired)
4. Bee Pollen (for extra energy boost)
5. Fresh pineapple
6. Ginger to taste
7. Tablespoon of Raw honey
8. Blend with Ice if desired
9. *Makes yummy popsicles

Summer Salad

Organic Chick peas (1 can worth, use fresh cooked or BPA free canned)

Frozen organic green peas

1lb large shrimp, peeled and cooked (only buy shrimp with the blue “Best Choice” label on it)

1 ¼ cup chopped pineapple

½ bell pepper chopped tiny

¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped

Favorite hot sauce

1 tsp paprika

1 Tbsp coconut oil

Himalayan sea salt

Juice from half a lime

Mix first 6 ingredients into a large bowl

Sprinkle paprika evenly over top, stir

Squeeze juice of lime over mixture and stir

Add coconut oil last

Then Hot sauce if desired

Disclaimer: The strategies, suggestions and techniques expressed here are intended to be used for educational purposes only. The Author, Kira Miller, is not rendering medical advice nor is she trying to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, condition, illness or injury.

If you are under the care of a physician it is imperative that you consult their advice before beginning any new exercise or nutrition program.

Kira Miller claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss or damage alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application or interpretation of the material presented here.